THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS FOR WHICH WE’LL RECEIVE A COMMISSION IF YOU CHOOSE TO SHOP THROUGH THE LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.
Selecting a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions that you will make during your wedding planning process. This is the person who will record lasting memories for you to look back on for years to come. With that being said, how do you know that you are choosing the right one? These three things to consider when finding a wedding photographer will help you make sure that you have the right person capturing your photos on your big day.
Your wedding photographer is one of the most important aspects of your wedding. You can set a limited budget for others like the flowers or even the venue, but one thing that you should not scrimp on is the wedding photographer. You need to keep in mind that at the end of the day, the only tangible memories you will have of your wedding day are your pictures, so you want to make sure that you get the best. If you are trying to figure out how to choose a wedding photographer, you have come to the right place.
But you need to remember that not all photographers are the same, and you need to separate the ones who are truly exceptional from the ones whose skills are not up to par with your standards. You will be shelling out quite a sum of money, as wedding photographers are not cheap, so you want to be sure that you are getting your money’s worth. Make sure that you are aware of all of their fees up front, and that you have looked through their portfolio to make sure that their photography style aligns with your taste.
Aside from making sure that you can afford them and they are available on your wedding day, here are three important things that you need to consider when you are finding a wedding photographer.
Related Content:
- 7 Texas Wedding Photographers Every Bride Should Know
- 5 Ways to Look Your Best on Your Wedding Day
- How to Save on Your Wedding Budget without Sacrificing Your Vision
Selecting a Wedding Photographer Tip #1:
Choose someone whose photography style matches your taste
First and foremost, when you are choosing a wedding photographer, you need to do your research on the different photography styles nowadays. You can go for the traditional shots, where your photographer has a “shot list” that he or she works from. If you want to have the more candid wedding pictures, choose a photographer who likes the photojournalistic type. Here, it’s rare to see a posed photo and you get to see more genuine moments. There are more photography types aside from the ones mentioned above, such as portraiture or illustrative. Try to see which ones you’d like to see on your wedding album and choose a photographer who is an expert in that style. If you already have a wedding photographer, maybe a friend of the family, in mind, try creating a Pinterest board or showing them pictures on Instagram that you like before your big day so that they will understand your style and your taste.
Selecting a Wedding Photographer Tip #2:
Get a wedding photographer who you can communicate well with
Another very important factor you need to consider is that you should be able to have good communication with your photographer. The last thing that you want is to be arguing with your wedding photographer on your big day, or to miss out on photo opportunities because they were not communicated, whether it was on your end or theirs. You should be able to contact your wedding photographer with ease, even during your consultation. When you talk, he or she should be able to grasp what you expect from the wedding photographs. Your personalities should be able to match well so that the mood of the wedding will be good. You can use your instinct when it comes to determining if you and the photographer will match well. Try to see just how comfortable you and your partner feel around them so you can decide if you want them to be your wedding photographer. I strongly recommend talking to and meeting with multiple wedding photographers prior to your wedding so that you can be absolutely positive that the one who you chose is the best fit!
Selecting a Wedding Photographer Tip #3:
Evaluate the package you will receive for the price you will pay.
I’m just going to put it out there – wedding photography is expensive. It involves a lot of work on their end, and you want to make sure that you are getting high-quality services. Every wedding photographer prices their packages differently, so you need to scrutinize their offers to ensure that the money you pay is worth the service and goods you are getting. Check how many hours of coverage they will provide, or how long until you get the images. Some offer extras like an engagement shoot, etc. It’s good to compare the different packages so you can evaluate which one you’d like to get. Many wedding photographers also offer custom packages. When you are choosing a wedding photographer, look at packages from other photographers and determine what is important to you, then see about having it added to a wedding photo package.
There are many good wedding photographers out there, you just need to allot some time to research and look for them.
