Beware of Gimmicky Photoshop Tricks

Caledonia Train Station in the fall.

Beware of gimmicky photoshop tricks as they are often used to cover up bad photography. 

Weird colour schemes like yellow, green or red skies, or photos that look like a film negative, take just a few mouse clicks. Theses types of colour schemes do not represent a style of photography but rather a photoshop technique which can be applied to any photo taken by any photographer.

Paul Potter
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Be sure to see some large prints.

Many people can take photos that look good as 4x6 prints or small images on a website. The true test of a quality photograph is when you make a large print.  Be sure to see some big prints (like 16x20's) of wedding photos shot by the photographer you are thinking of hiring.

Paul Potter
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Are the photos of real weddings?

Near the Distillery District in Toronto

Ask if the photos you are looking at are shots of actual weddings. Some photographers will hire professional models to shoot simulated wedding photos. These would be the featured photos in their portfolio, however, it is very unlikely they could duplicate the quality of these photos on a wedding day.

Make sure you see photos of entire weddings from start to finish so you know the photographer has photographed actual weddings.

I have seen non-professional photographers hanging around parks which are popular for wedding photos. As the brides and grooms pass by they ask if they can take a photo of them. Those photos will later appear in the photographers portfolio with the implication that the photographer shot the wedding. This gives the impression that the photographer has shot a large number of weddings when in fact they may have never shot a single wedding.

Paul Potter
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Ask what equipment the photographer will bring to your wedding.

AGH - Art Gallery of Hamilton

I always have 2 cameras, 2 flash units and a wide selection of lenses with me.  Professional photographic gear is very reliable but, even the best equipment can break down.  Are you willing to gamble your wedding photos on the reliability of one piece of equipment?

Paul Potter
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Look at samples of the photographer's work

Hamilton waterfront at night

This sounds like an obvious suggestion, however, you would be surprised at how many people book a photographer without ever seeing samples of his or her work.  

When you go to a studio to book a photographer you will be shown albums, photos, enlargements, etc.  At most studios you will be dealing directly with the photographer who will be shooting your wedding, however, at some studios or venues you will be talking to a sales person.  Many of these studios and venues have groups of photographers who are contracted to photograph weddings so, when you are viewing the the samples, who's work are you looking at?  Be sure the sample photos you are looking at were taken by the photographer who will be shooting your wedding.  Insist on it.

Paul Potter
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