How to Choose a Wedding Photographer
You’ve just gotten engaged and it’s time to plan your dream wedding day! There are so many details and pieces that will come together to make it the best day you could possibly imagine. Now one of the first things you want to do is find your perfect match in a wedding photographer who will tell the story of one of the best days of your life. Photographers are not one size fits all so here are a few things to keep in mind as you’re looking for that perfect fit.
The number one thing is to make sure you enjoy spending time with your wedding photographer. You will spend more time with them than anyone else on your wedding day so it’s very important that you choose someone you feel comfortable and relaxed with. Some will be the calming voice that helps keep your nerves at bay, and some will be cracking jokes and keeping you laughing the whole day. Make sure you find the photographer that fits your vibe. Your wedding photos are a form of art and you want a photographer who can invite you into the creating process so that you are part of the final product.
Next, the obvious thing is to find a wedding photographer who shoots and edits photos that you love. There are a lot of buzz words out there describing the various styles- true to life, timeless, moody, bright and airy… but also the WAY they shoot- posed, candid, journalistic, modern. Photography is a form of art and you want to find a photographer who fits your style.
When you’ve found a photographer who takes photos you can’t imagine not having for your wedding day, get on a call with them and find out what all they offer in their wedding photography packages. Some photographers have you sign a contract, show up the day of the wedding, deliver your photos two months later and that’s it. Others are involved in the planning from day one, helping you plan your timeline, offering location and vendor recommendations, sending questionnaires to get to know you better. Some offer physical products and services like albums, album design, prints. Some even do multi day packages. Ask your photographer about what they offer so you have a better idea of what you’re paying for and/or what additional expenses you might have after your photos are delivered.
DON’T shop by price first. We all understand that weddings are expensive, and often by the time you’re looking for your wedding photographer you can’t imagine spending any more than you have to. But stop and think about it- you spend hard earned money on a dress/outfit, on the location (whether that’s a venue or an airline ticket to a new destination with lodging), you find beautiful flowers, and a delicious meal… after the wedding day is over, your photos are one of the only tangible things you have left. It is 100% worth investing in a photographer who will capture your wedding photos in such a way that they reflect your memories and preserve your day in the most beautiful, artistic and accurate way possible. Budget shopping is not likely to give you these results.
A few thoughts from a wedding photographer- don’t be deterred by location. Many, if not most, wedding photographers are more than willing to travel all over the world to take your photos. As long as there aren’t issues with permitting/work visas for foreign countries they’ll jump at the opportunity to explore our beautiful world with you! Second, connect with a photographer early on in your planning process. We’re not wedding planners but we’ve been part of planning a lot of weddings and have so much helpful information to share with you, and more help to offer than simply taking photos.
