Choosing a Wedding Photographer Choosing the right photographer for your special day is a very important decision. Here are some important things to bear in mind before you make your choice. Always hire a professional wedding photographer. While pictures from your friends and family may be quite good, don't take chances. Uncle Fred may be a little tipsy and Tantie Mala may load her film incorrectly. Your friends and family are there to celebrate the happy event. A professional wedding photographer is there to ensure that you have the best moments captured in the best manner. In Trinidad that also means hiring a photographer with a complete understanding of our diverse traditional and cultural needs. Start looking for a professional wedding photographer as soon as you start planning your wedding. Seek out recommendations from newly weds who are proud of their albums and make sure you have a chance to see the work of many photographers before making your choice. Meet your photographer in person, look at their work and get to know them a little. You may meet someone with the best equipment and great talent but you just might not get along with - and that can ruin the final product. Is this someone who makes you feel comfortable? Do they have a kind and understanding manner? Consider the style of your photographer. Does he or she shoot only posed shots? Or only candid ones? Or is there a good mixture of both? Are the shots to your liking? Are they artistic, unartistic, or just too artsy? Do the pictures in his/her portfolio reflect the basics of good lighting and composition? A Plan of Action In making your decision about which photograher to choose also consider whether the person will be willing to work with your plans for the big day: Is the photographer willing to meet beforehand to discuss specifics of the event and even shoot some portraits prior to the day itself? Is the photographer well-organized and provided with all addresses and phone numbers for the wedding? Is the photographer aware of, or willing to learn the customs and traditions of your family, this may include religious rules, dietary restrictions, prohibition of alcohol and other more personal issues such as the importance of your grandmother or grandfather to the gathering. Is the photographer knowledgeable about the practices and protocols of various locations such as churches, temples, and mosques? Has he or she travelled widely both in Trinidad and abroad and does he or she have experience in a wide range of circumstances?