Looking for a photographer and/or videographer for your wedding?

Robert and Colleen Phipps of Morgantown, W.Va., who had a problem with their wedding photographer, have some advice.

And so does their photographer, John Coma of TSI Photography in North Huntingdon.

Let's start with Mr. Phipps, 35, a computer tech support specialist at West Virginia University.

He and his wife, Colleen, also 35, were married on Oct. 8, 2005, in St. John the Baptist Church in Plum, the bride's hometown. TSI photographed and videotaped the ceremony and the reception. They paid $1,800 for a large album for themselves, albums for their parents and the video.

They didn't return the proofs until last July because the first ones were too small and had to be made larger, and the proofs had to be sent around to all the appropriate family members.

After numerous requests, one of the albums for the parents arrived in November. After still more requests, the other one arrived last month. But where was the large album?

"He claims it was shipped, damaged and returned," Mr. Phipps said. "Then he said it would be shipped at the end of December, then Jan. 5."

Mr. Phipps then asked if I would intercede. I learned Mr. Coma was out of town, but one of his colleagues offered to check on the status of the Phippses' album.

When the album finally arrived, Mr. Phipps described it as "very nice" and said he and his wife had "no complaints." I asked what advice he might have for prospective brides and grooms.

"The first thing is to research," he said. "We interviewed a few different photographers, met with them and looked at samples of their work. We really needed to do more.

"Google the photographer's name, the company he works with and find out how long he's been in business. Talk to references, and ask [them] about the time frame for delivery. I'd spend a lot more time on [www.theknot.com] which has a Pittsburgh discussion board and vendor review area. I had perused the boards, but not posted questions. I regret that.

"We gave no thought to the [size] of the proofs, or if the photographer would meet with us and explain how the selection and album assembly process worked. In retrospect, that was a mistake.

"If we ever invested this much again, I'd look for a photographer with a complete portfolio. I'd like the photographer to explain what he needed in advance, show samples of proofs and explain the timeline along the way.

"[I'd also want to know] when should we expect proofs, when should we return them and when should we expect" the finished product.

Mr. Phipps also said he'd ask if the photographer did all the work or subcontracted some of it. He also said he'd withhold some of the payment until the albums were delivered.

"I'd also recommend visits to a few consumer Web sites. Read the nightmares of what can -- and does -- happen.

"I would also rent a backbone for myself, so that when/if things went wrong I could yell a little louder and not worry quite so much," he said.

John Coma, 42, was pleased the Phippses liked their album. He said his decision to photograph 110 weddings last year "was a mistake. We just got crushed. Everyone wanted their albums by Thanksgiving or Christmas. I'm still not out of the woods."

Mr. Coma said he would like couples to return proofs within a month. He then prepares everything and transmits it electronically to a lab in Wisconsin. The lab assembles the albums and ships them to Mr. Coma's customers.

Unfortunately, the Phipps album was damaged in shipment and had to be done all over again.

"I understand [the Phippses'] frustration," Mr. Coma said. "I'm just going to have to do better."