Ten things to look for in a wedding photographer:

1. Do they have a passion for creating images?  Dwight Smith has photographed more than 1000 weddings and absolutely loves what he does – he approaches every wedding as an opportunity to make it the very best wedding he’s ever done!  If you have a passion for wedding photography, you’ll do your very best to make that day perfect. 

2. Do you like the style of their images?  It’s important that you look through several albums and get a feel for the type of photographs the artist does.

3. What’s their personality?  On your wedding day you’ll spend hours with your photographer.  Make sure that you are comfortable with him/her!  Do they take a personal interest in you?  Dwight loves to hear stories of how you met – what caught your eye when the magic first began.  If your photographer knows a little about your hobbies, interests, occupation, and likes/dislikes, it can influence the style of how they capture the magical moments on your wedding day!

4. How long will the posed photos take?  Is the photographer organized, efficient, and able to move things along while not being rude?  It’s important that your wedding day not be just a photo session.  Dwight’s style is to do the posed photos quickly, while you’re having everyone look their best and have fun.  It should never take more than 30 minutes for the posed combinations of the bride and groom with family and the wedding party.  He wants you to get to the party and have fun!

5. Do they work alone, or with an assistant or second photographer?  Depending on the package chosen, Dwight may also have a female assistant or second photographer.  The combined approach can tell the whole story – action and reaction, and from both the male and female perspective.  Also, at many golf clubs men aren’t permitted in the women’s locker room. 

6. What format of equipment do they use?  Dwight has been using high-resolution digital cameras on weddings for three years, and personally goes over every single photograph in Photoshop to ensure optimum color, contrast, and detail.  With digital we no longer have to be conservative with the number of images taken at your wedding, and retouching is so much easier!  Color, B&W, sepia, or that hand-colored look are all available from the same image.  Dwight brings three cameras to your wedding, and also uses an unobtrusive second radio-controlled flash to provide a three-dimensional look, when needed.

7. How many photos are taken?  For a photojournalistic style you can’t be conservative with taking photographs.  Dwight averages 500 or more at most weddings, but you won’t notice – many are taken without the subjects being aware.  We want to get all the emotions, expressions, and details of your day!

8. How are the images presented from the wedding?  Some photographers don’t do proofs anymore and require you to go to the Internet to make your selections.  With hundreds of images, that can be painfully slow!  Another modern trend is the magazine-style presentation of proofs – unfortunately most of these have tiny images that are really hard to view and select from.  Dwight uses a magazine-style proof-binder with 3x5 sized proofs of all the images from the wedding (after editing out the duplicate poses and blinks, of course.)  He also creates three copies of a CD – each with a special program that allows you to order from the entire set of proofs quickly and painlessly.  They can be viewed for a month, and even have a “shopping-cart” option to place orders through email.  Mail these CD’s to your out-of-town family and you’re all set!

9. Will your bridal album have retouching included?  Once you’ve seen the difference, you’ll definitely want your album prints retouched.  Dwight includes light retouching in all the finished albums, and is happy to do any image in color, black & white, sepia, or b&w with the flowers in color.  Your album design should be unique and reflect exactly the style you’d like!

10.  What are your photographer’s credentials and reputation?  Ask about Dwight anywhere and you’re sure to hear good things.  He was awarded “Wedding Album Photographer of the Year” in 2003 at the Arizona Professional Photographer’s convention.  He has all the degrees in the Professional Photographer’s of America – Master of Photography, Certified Professional Photographer, and Photographic Craftsman, and has won many awards.