Your wedding day is a photo op so choose the angles before lights, camera, action

Photographs will provide lasting memories of your wedding, so you want to be sure that they beautifully portray all of it.

But artistry and memories aren't the only things a photographer provides.

The photographer helps to set the tone during the wedding, by interacting with your families during posed shots and with your guests throughout the affair.

Here's a list of questions to ask yourself as you think about choosing a photographer.

*Do you like how the photographer does both formals and candids, particularly action shots?

Look at albums of complete weddings that the photographer has done, not just albums of highlights pulled together from several weddings. See if you feel that there is a consistent level of quality.

*Do you want only color photographs, or some black and white as well?

*Can the photographer work with digital equipment? This is fairly new and the cost is higher, but it permits the photographer to retouch pictures, combine pictures and even produce an album that can be viewed on computer or as a video.

*Has the photographer done a comparable Jewish wedding before?

*How long has the photographer been in business and what kinds of references can he or she provide?

*How many people are in the photographer's crew? Remember, the larger your wedding, the more useful an assistant will be.

*How long will it take to produce proofs and albums? What will it cost if you want to keep the proofs?

Once you've chosen a photographer, you will need to work together to ensure that you get the most out of your pictures.

Go through the whole sequence of events with your photographer, especially with one who has never before done a traditional Jewish wedding.

Point out times when it is important to you that the photographer takes candids and specific shots you want the photographer to get.

You also should discuss potential logistical issues that might affect photography. For example, it can be very distracting when flashes go off during the ceremony. You may need additional lighting under the chuppah or in the hall.

Before the ceremony, be sure to give the photographer a list of the posed pictures you want taken both before the ceremony and after yichud, the post-ceremony retreat, if you are observing this.

It is strongly recommended that both families agree on a single list in advance. That eases picture-taking, reducing everyone's hassles on the day of the wedding.

Also, if you have one list, the photographer can look at it and estimate how long the shooting will take. Also, ask one or two family members to help with the posed pictures -- one from each side of the family is a good idea.

Consider purchasing a package in which you get to keep the proofs as well as an album, giving you a copy of every picture taken at your wedding. The album will capture specific moments while the proofs will capture the entire event.

In choosing your album, avoid plastic covered pages, as plastic reflects. Instead, look for lacquer coating, although it does cost more.

Since black-and-white photographs last longer, you might want to think about asking the photographer to take a couple of rolls using black-and-white film.

Ultimately, the kind and number of photographs you want in your album depends on who you are and what you want.

If your wedding is serving as a family reunion, you'll want to have extended family portraits. If your wedding is very formal, you could choose to have many heirloom-style posed formal photographs.

In choosing candids, you might consider concentrating on those that involve many people, so that you are able to include many friends and family members in a small number of photographs.

There are several photograph styles available in addition to posed shots and candids. Other ideas include photojournalism and deliberately artistic shots.

One way to find out what kinds of photography you are interested in is to look at the photos in bridal magazines, paying special attention to the photographers' advertisements.

Cut out photos that appeal to you and discuss them with your photographer. The more information you can bring to your meeting the better your professional can understand and serve your needs.

And remember, even the best photographers can't be everywhere.

The more people taking pictures, the better your chance of capturing every moment of the wedding. Guests will often bring their own cameras, but it's also a good idea to put out disposable cameras.