Confession time: I am one of “those people” who chose to have a friend be our wedding photographer. Don’t get me wrong- this lady is a really great photographer. But, I think when it comes to something like your wedding, which is a day you can’t really re-create, by all means go with a professional. My wedding was not so long ago, but right at that period where people were still taking pictures with 35mm film instead of using a digital camera. After my wedding I was handed 33 rolls of film, which added to my ten table cameras left me with 43 rolls to develop, peruse and edit myself. I thought enough ahead to spend a few extra bucks and have the images also copied on discs. But now, over 4 years later I have a box filled with my developed 4×6 prints and those 43 discs that I really have done nothing with. A few pictures I had enlarged, but only a few. I keep telling myself one of these days I’ll go through this box and edit or crop the pictures to make them perfect, but in hindsight my time has to be worth something and I would have gladly paid a little extra to have this part already done for me. Also, despite the fact that I have hundreds of pictures from my wedding, I have no posed shot of me and my husband. How did that happen? I don’t know, but I can tell you it wouldn’t happen if you go with a pro. Photos are important to capture memories of this special day, so a little planning ahead is worth it in the long run. Below are some things to consider when making this important decision:

1. What is your style as a couple, and is this photographer a match with that?

2. Who will be actually taking your photos- this photographer or someone else on their staff?

3. What is their experience and expertise? Is wedding photography their specialty, or is photography just a hobby?

4.  What is the delivery format? Are you able to obtain the images on disc, or will you have to re-order from the photographer. If so, how long will those images be available?

5. Money matters. Make sure to ask the money questions and get in writing how long they will shoot for and if their are extra fees for additional photographers or any other extra services you might need.

Visit the East Valley Bridal Affairon Sunday, October 4th 2009 at the Windemere Hotel and Conference Center in Mesa, AZ to make your first connections with some of the Valley’s best expert photographers: Drew Brashler Photography, Roe Photographic, Easel Photography, Desert Trends Photography, Endless Moments Photography and Memories by Marsha.