Christina Martin didn't have to look far for her wedding photographer: He was a friend of the family and the price was right. But she didn't check him out—a decision she would live to regret.

As it turns out, "Our personalities clashed," she remembers. "He didn't know how to

pose people. He didn't know how to elicit expressions." The few photographs she received of her wedding were terrible. "I felt like a princess that day. I wanted it to be documented. I was extremely disappointed."

Now a photographer herself, Martin, whose business is called Christina Martin Photographers of Sykesville, takes time to meet with couples and discuss her way of working. "That's where the website comes in handy," she says. "Most people that come to see me have seen my site and they love my pictures. They know that the style of photo matches what they want."

Photographers try to figure out what couples envision for their wedding. "As much as a bride would interview me, I interview them," says Michelle Rose, owner of Three Blondes and a Camera. "Their vision is the same as our vision."

Some photographers do traditional wedding photography—everyone in the wedding party is posed in the sanctuary after the ceremony. Others specialize in photojournalism, taking candid photographs throughout the day that tell the story of the wedding as it unfolds, from the bride having final touches done to her hair while surrounded by her entourage to the throwing of the rice. Rose takes a combination. "The formal photographs are very important," she says. "We take seven formal photographs. The bride can add to that."

If a family member not in the formal photographs is in attendance and the couple wants a picture, they should make sure the photographer knows in advance. "All you have to do is ask us," Rose says—"piece of cake."

During the initial interview, ask the photographer about his or her backup plan for the wedding day. Does he work with more than one camera? What happens if he or she is injured? Martin was once stung by bees while photographing a bride. The bride saw what had happened and was immediately concerned. But Martin, who was working with another photographer, didn't want to delay events. "I said to the other photographer, 'Take the bride and shoot pictures.'" After putting ice on the stings and resting, she recovered and was able to finish her work.

Keep in mind that some religious institutions have rules about where photographers can stand. For this reason, Rose typically attends the rehearsal, "especially if it's in a church," she says. "We like to talk to the pastor and get any instructions from him. We very much adhere to every church rule. If they say you have to stand in the back and not move, I'm going to stand in the back and not move."

Some tech-savvy couples want to talk megapixels and other photo esoteria with Martin. But she says that's not really necessary. Her camera equipment includes various lenses. "I can switch my lens," she says. "The lens is going to allow me to capture the depth of field."

Rates for a full day with a photographer are typically about $4,000. Packages vary by photographer. Some give lower prices initially but hook additional charges on for prints. But both Martin and Rose advise couples to focus on professionalism to ensure they'll come away with high-quality photographs.

"At the end of the day, the flowers will die," Rose points out. "The food will get eaten. The dress will be shut away. "It's not like you're going to be living in the reception hall. The one thing that lasts is the photographs."

Videographers

Much of the same advice applies for hiring videographers. Most have websites showcasing their work. Couples should ask the same questions about backup equipment and a substitute videographer in the event of illness. And just as with photographers, there may be restrictions governing where the videographer can stand, depending on where the marriage is to be held.

Some videographers see their job as simply recording the day. Others set out to tell the wedding story, creating montages of the bride and groom with childhood and family photographs.

When interviewing the videographer, take note of his professionalism. Does he respond quickly and completely to messages and e-mails? John Ong, a videographer whose Annapolis-based business is called Dr. Gno Video Productions, says couples should also get references.

Ask about how the videographer will interact with guests at the reception. "You have to capture what happens, but also in a manner that doesn't offend the guests," Ong says. Make sure the videographer does not have a reputation for sticking a microphone in front of reluctant guests. If the videographer is to interview guests at the reception, he or she should say something along the lines of, "The bride and groom have asked me to get a comment from the guests," Ong says. "Then talk them through it."

The videographer should know if there are specific parts of the ceremony or reception—the cake cutting or the grandparents lighting a candle—that the couple must have in the final product.

Most videographers record the wedding and portions of the reception. It takes at least 30 to 40 hours of time all together, when editing is included. The cost is usually upward of $1,500, Ong says. He recommends checking on delivery time. Some videographers are backlogged six months during the busy season.