Are you seeking tips for picking your wedding photographer? Choosing the right photographer for your special day can be challenging. Choosing your wedding photographer is different from other wedding choices because you are not buying something concrete such as your wedding gown. When you purchase your wedding gown, you know exactly what you are getting! However with wedding photography, you don’t see the final product (what you are purchasing) until the wedding is over. Your photos will be displayed and enjoyed for decades to come, so you want to be sure you are making the best investment for your wedding. You also want to find someone you really mesh with. With so many photographers to choose from, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice! Once you decide what is important to you, you will be able to find the right photographer to capture your special day. The following five tips will help you do exactly that!
Choose a style.
Since you’ve been engaged, you have probably looked through hundreds of wedding photos for inspiration. You were likely drawn to certain photography styles without even realizing it! While you are looking at wedding photos on Pinterest or Instagram; find your favorites. Then look at your favorites and find what you specifically like about the photos you chose. Is it the dark, moody vibe? Do you find light and airy photographs more appealing? Are the photos you’ve selected vibrant and colorful? Do you prefer shots that document the day as it happens or more posed portraiture? Knowing what you are looking for will help you narrow down your options and find a photographer who will capture the day exactly how you want it done.
Read reviews.
Once you have a style in mind, you can start looking at options for local wedding photographers. Awesome resources are available to help you find honest reviews about how these photographers work. Reading the words of other brides and couples will help you decide if this photographer might be the one for you and if the investment will be worthwhile. Pay special attention to all mentions of how helpful and flexible the photographer was; you will appreciate those qualities when your day arrives. Wanna check out what brides have said about me? Read reviews here.
Personality matters.
You will be spending the majority of your special day in the company of your wedding photographer, so it is important that your personalities mesh and you get along. Schedule a coffee date to sit down and get to know the photographer, or if you are not in the area, even chatting on Facetime will help you get to know the person behind the lens. Wedding photographers also really appreciate talking through the plans you have made so far, your budget, and what photos you hope to receive when it’s all said and done. Get to know me a little better here.
Qualifications also matter.
In a day and age where we have a camera in our pocket 24/7, it might seem appealing to settle for a cheaper wedding photographer. Not everyone with a camera and a few nice photos in their portfolio has the experience needed to capture what may be the most important day of your life. Be sure you view an entire gallery, not just a few photos that happened to turn out great, before making your decision. Pick a qualified photographer, someone with experience, education, and insurance.
Understand the contract.
Your wedding photographer should provide you with a contract that outlines all of the photo rights, exactly what you are paying for, and what they are liable for. Before you sign, please make sure you understand the contract! I want your wedding day to be celebratory and your photographer to be someone reliable who is there for it all!
If you have any questions for me, I’d love to hear from you. My process is easy, open, and simple! Fill out my contact form to get started today. I truly hope you find your dream wedding photographer!
