Find the right wedding photographer as we unveil our secrets to know-how! Dive into our tips and advice to capture your special day perfectly. Let our comprehensive guide lead you to beautifully preserved memories.
There are many things to consider when trying to find the right wedding photographer for you. These are the photos you will cherish for the rest of your life–the photos your kids and grandkids will look at in the future. You want your photographer to be more capable of capturing your wedding day so you do not end up with a disastrous photo you hate for the rest of your life. Here are some tips to guide you through choosing your wedding photographer.
Find The Right Wedding Photographer With These Guidelines
Find clarity in your wedding vision.
Determine what you like best in wedding photos and what you desire for your own. Different photographers have different styles. Some may have dark and moody editing styles; others may have light, airy, or even delicate art styles. This will play a massive role in how your wedding photos look. You can’t just hire a dark and moody photographer and expect your images to be light and airy. Know their style.
In addition to editing style, there is also a general photo-taking style–do they describe their style as editorial? Documentary? Maybe they’re traditional? This will be key if you want your photos to be more posed or candid. The bottom line is to know what you do and don’t like and ask them to describe their style. And ultimately consider this in your decision based if they align with your wedding photo preferences.
Do your research.
When trying to find the right wedding photographer for you, check out the testimonials on their website and the reviews on Google. This will give you some insight into how working with this photographer would be. Furthermore, this can also put you in touch with past clients. You may email them and ask how they describe the overall experience when working with this photographer or anything they did not like about them.
When looking through a photographer’s social media accounts, pay attention to if their photos align with the style you have determined you want for your wedding photos. Reviewing lots of previous posts will help you determine their style and the aesthetic they vibe with.
Determine your budget.
Knowing what you can and can’t afford is always a good idea when looking at different wedding photographers. Wedding photography prices are more than just a fee for a day. So much work goes in on the back end that no one sees. There are different price ranges for various levels of photographers. For a new photographer or hobbyist, you may see prices around $500-1500. For an experienced professional, expect anywhere from $2k to $6k, and for luxury photography–about $6k to $15k.
So take time to think about your budget–BUT don’t let price be your primary factor when deciding who to hire. It is tempting to stay within a certain budget, but it is important to remember that your wedding photos are the one investment that will last a lifetime.
Ask to view a full gallery.
Photographers post their favorite photos from a wedding day. It would not be wise for us to post every single photo from every single wedding day. So it is important to ask your potential photographers to view a full gallery to have more insight into the wedding day. You can see if their work is consistent or if they post the best they have because the rest aren’t that good. Also, you can see what you can expect to receive after your own wedding.
The right wedding photographer will be resourceful.
The right photographer will have lots of helpful tips and resources for you. When you hire a photographer, they should be a beneficial resource for all your needs when planning your day. For instance, they will help with a timeline and ideal area for your ceremony/reception on the property you book. You should be able to get help from your vendors–not even JUST your photographer–but all of your vendors along the way.
Schedule consultations.
After compiling your list of potential photographers, reach out to schedule consultations. Meeting face-to-face (physically or virtually) helps to not only put faces to the names, but you can also feel out their personality and professionalism to see if they are a good fit with you. Use this time to ask any questions about working with them, go over logistics of your wedding day, and review more of their portfolio.
Take their experience into account.
A photographer’s experience in the wedding industry matters. You should look for someone who specialized in wedding photography, who has been to many weddings day in and day out. These people will have solutions to common crises, have spare equipment on deck for their own protection and yours, and will be prepared throughout the day for whatever may come to light.
Experience also matters with how they handle different lighting scenarios. Light is everything in photography and if you cannot master light, the photos will reflect it. (This is also an important reason to review a full wedding gallery).
Go with your gut.
This is a good sign if you vibe well with this photographer after your meeting. It would be best if you always trusted your gut. If you have some reservations, bring them to your photographer and ask them about your concerns. In addition, allow them to respond and go with your gut feeling. This will ultimately help you find the right wedding photographer for your day.
Final Say
Finding the right wedding photographer is crucial as their work will be cherished for a lifetime. Take advantage of our guidelines to help you make your most unforgettable moment a lifetime memory. If you are looking for a wedding photographer, I would love to be considered!
Visit my contact page to inquire! You can view more of my work on my Facebook and Instagram pages with links to this blog.
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