There are so many things to think about when it comes to planning your wedding, it can be overwhelming. But one thing that shouldn’t have to be stressful is the photography. You’ve worked hard to find the perfect dress and venue, and now it’s time for you and your partner-to-be to find the right photographer for your big day! Here are some tips on how you can make sure you get the best person for the job:
Figure out your priorities
When you are considering hiring a wedding photographer, think about your priorities. What is most important to you? Your budget, timeline, style and location are all factors that should be taken into account when choosing a photographer.
Here’s what else you need to know:
- Wedding dress style and color palette – What type of dress will you wear? How long is it? What colors will be in the wedding party’s attire? This information can help determine whether or not the wedding photographer has experience shooting at venues similar to yours.
- Hair style – You don’t want your hair pulled back too tight if it isn’t going to be done up too much during photos or videos of your big day.
Go through websites for different photographers and make a list of those who you like.
- Find photographers. You can do this in a number of ways: ask your friends, search online using Google or Bing, look through magazines or brochures at your local library.
- Look at the photographer’s website and note what you like/don’t like about it. Do they have a blog and/or social media presence? How often are they posting new content? Does their site seem professional-looking? Are there photos from recent weddings (and not just stock images)? Is there an information page with pricing and packages so that you know exactly what each level will cover.
Organize an in-person meeting with at least three photographers who are on your short list.
Once you have a short list of photographers that you’re interested in, it’s time to meet with them. Since this is such an important decision, we recommend meeting with at least three photographers in-person before making your final choice.
It’s important to remember that these meetings will be more than just a chance for the photographer(s) to impress you; they’ll also give you an opportunity to ask questions and get a feel for whether or not this person will be able to capture the day exactly how you want it captured.
Here are some things for which we recommend asking:
- What is their experience? How long have they been doing weddings? How many weddings have they shot? Are there any examples of past work that they can show off?
- How do they handle certain situations? For example, what happens if there is rain on the day-of (or even before)? What kind of backup plans do they have in place if something goes wrong?
- What does their pricing look like for different services (e.g., engagement photography vs wedding photography vs album design)?
Once you’ve met with several photographers, narrow down your list to the top 1 or 2.
Once you’ve met with several photographers, it’s time to narrow down your list. You should have a good idea of which photographers are going to be most comfortable for you and your family. Now is the time to ask them about their experience, what they’re willing to do for your wedding day, and how much it will cost. Don’t be afraid to ask for references!
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential photographers, meet with each one in person before deciding which one is right for you.
Note that if a photographer’s style doesn’t seem quite what you want, it might still be worth meeting them and checking them out, since many can create different looks, depending on the type of lens or film they use.
You’ll want to look at the photographer’s style. If a photographer’s style doesn’t seem quite what you want, it might still be worth meeting them and checking them out, since many can create different looks, depending on the type of lens or film they use.
It’s also important to get a feel for the photographer’s personality. You’ll probably spend a lot of time with them on your wedding day and in the months leading up to it, so make sure that they’re someone who will fit into your life well enough that you can actually enjoy hanging out with them!
The last thing to consider is whether or not their style matches your own personal style—or if you even have one! Some photographers specialize in very specific things (like portraits) while others are more generalists who do anything from family portraits to engagement shoots; some shoot primarily on film while others work mostly digitally; some prefer candid shots while others like using props and posing people carefully; some love bright colors while others prefer black-and-white scenes…. The list goes on and on! Look closely at each photographer’s site: does their work match how YOU want YOUR photos turning out?
Look at the photographer’s portfolio and ask to see photos from a recent wedding.
- Look at the quality of the photos.
- Look at the style of the photos.
- Look at how they were shot and lit.
- Look at composition (how they fit together to make a story).
- See if you like their editing style and how it affects your emotions when viewing them. This is very subjective so take note of any feelings you get when viewing their portfolio, even if it’s not positive or negative!
Make sure you choose the right photographer for your needs and budget.
Once you’ve found a photographer whose work you love, the next step is to make sure they can meet your needs and budget. This can be tricky, because many of the costs associated with hiring a wedding photographer vary depending on where you live; for example, some cities might have more competition for photographers than others do. However, no matter where you live, there are some expenses that apply across the board:
- Travel costs (if applicable)
- Equipment rental fees (if applicable)
- Retouched images and printing costs
We hope we’ve helped you decide what to look for in a wedding photographer. Now, go out there and find one!