You've spent countless hours at work with your monitor turned away from the door so you can discreetly check out every wedding photographer's web site.
Anytime your boss walks by, you quickly minimize the browser.
The prices for wedding photography blow you away.
So, you adjust your budget and cut the photographers who are way out of your price range.
You call the rest to check their availability.
There are now five or six whose work you really like.
Plus, you can afford them, and they're available on your date.
You schedule consultations to review their work, and you find the one photographer you really vibe with.
His work is exactly your style.
You see yourself as the bride in his album photographs.
He promises to follow every one of your requests.
He's a solo photographer without any associates, so he will be the one at your wedding.
It's a guarantee that's written in the contract.
His price is right.
Should you hire him on the spot? You'd like to do some due diligence first and check him out.
The problem with wedding photographers, however, is that they book early and quickly.
If you wait too long, you'll lose him to another couple.
Large studios have several photographers who could take his place, but couples don't always like that idea.
The trend for many years has been for couples to hire a solo photographer who runs his own business.
The rates are better, and couples receive personal service and a uniquely creative style.
You need to act and book him fast, but first you want to make sure your instincts are right.
You might ask if he could hold your date for a few days.
I tell every potential client that I will hold their date for five days after the consultation.
During the hold period, you should ask the photographer for a few references.
The reference check seems obvious, but it's the least efficient way to check out someone.
Would the photographer actually give you a list of unhappy couples? His references will pass muster, and it's good to know hat he has a few satisfied clients.
You should also ask recently married friends about him.
This is a very good idea.
I'm surprised how often potential clients start asking their friends and discover a friend-of-a-friend who has hired me.
They chat and have a positive discussion about me.
Ask around about your photographer.
I can almost guarantee you'll find a past client.
Give this person's opinion the greatest weight in making your decision.
I consider these to be gold-plated referrals.
Get this person on the phone, or maybe even meet for coffee.
Be careful of taking advice from strangers online.
Unscrupulous photographers pose as brides and post negative stories about established photographers.
They will attempt to steer you to another photographer that a "friend" is using.
It's one more online scam to watch out for.
The best way to check your photographer is to try him out.
You don't have to wait until the wedding day to have him photograph you.
Most photographers offer an engagement session.
Ask if you can schedule a session that week.
Tell him that if you're overjoyed with the results, then you'll sign the wedding contract.
You may have to spend a little money.
Engagement sessions often cost $150 to $500.
It's a chunk of change, but the expense could confirm if he's indeed the perfect photographer.
Try booking the session for free.
Ask the photographer if he'll include the engagement session in your wedding package.
But if the photographs or his work style don't seem as advertised, then you'll simply pay his engagement session fee and move on.
If you think the resulting photographs are outright bad, then tell him how you feel.
I'm referring to the technical characteristics of the photographs and not a bad hair day.
The frames may be wildly dark and underexposed or out of focus.
Your skin may look very yellow or red.
You're now dealing with someone who doesn't know what they're doing.
Start looking for a different photographer.