5 Tips on How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Photographer
Are you newly engaged and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the variety of wedding photographers out there to choose from? I get it. Wedding photography is a big investment and finding the perfect fit takes a lot of searching, trust, and intuition. There are so many amazing photographers in this industry and it can be super tricky to hone in on what you love. Luckily, great photographers typically do a great job of sharing about their wedding experience and work on their social media and websites to give potential clients a sense of what it’s like to work with them, it just takes a bit of research on your part. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you begin the process:
01. write down what is important to you
When making any wedding planning decisions, I highly recommend starting at the drawing board…literally. Writing down your vision and getting a sense for what you really want during your wedding day can help you focus in on what your priorities are. Are you someone who loves looking back at big milestones in life? Can you picture yourself sharing about your wedding day many years to come? Do you plan to print your photos and have them on your wall? What kind of photos do you envision yourself having? Is a close working relationship with your photographer important? Asking yourself these questions can help you get a clearer sense of how you want to document your day and what you want out of a wedding photography experience. And to be clear - you don’t have to have it all figured out yet. A big part of a photographer’s job is to educated you on their experience and to touch on things that maybe you hadn’t thought of. This is just a starting point.
02. figure out what kind of photography style you like
Next, ask yourself what style of photography you like. What kind of photos are you drawn to? What kind of coloring and editing are appealing to you? There are sooo many photography styles out there and pinpointing your ideal “style” can really help you narrow down your choices. For instance, I’m a true-to-color, timeless photographer and if you’re into a filmy look or a dark and moody style, I may not be the right gal for you. And that’s OK! One way to learn more about the photography style that you like is to look at various photographers’ Instagram pages, screenshot their feed, and compare. Which feed are you drawn to most? I’d also like to note, Instagram is a great resource for your research, but checking out the photographer’s website, blogs, and galleries is also a great way to truly see their style.
It’s also good to have a sense of how your photographer uses poses and prompting. In the photography world, there’s a lot of bias towards “candid prompts” versus posing, however, getting a gallery back with zero photos of you looking at the camera isn’t always ideal. In fact, when my clients print their photos, they almost always choose the classic photos of them looking at the camera. Because of that, I make sure to blend both posing and prompts, that way my clients have a lot of variety in their gallery.
03. have a clear budget in mind
This part isn’t as much fun, but it is super important. There are a lot of savvy ways to budget and limit expenses on your wedding day. My biggest advice? Don’t cut your budget on the things that matter most. You will be looking at and sharing your photos for years to come and if you’re unhappy with how they turned out, that experience is significantly less special. Price checking for the sake of understanding the wedding photography market of your area is great - price checking to find the lowest cost of a wedding photographer is going to be really disappointing in the end. Knowing your budget is a key component to choosing your photographer, but it should not be the only thing or the first thing. Set a realistic and relative budget range that works for you and be willing to make some adjustments if needed. Wedding photography is incredibly valuable and working with your dream photographer is an investment. And trust me, investing in a great photographer is totally worth it.
04. create a list of photographers you want to work with
Once you’ve outlined some priorities, figured out your preferred style, and have a sense of your budget, write down a list of a few wedding photographers in your area that you are interested in working with (anywhere from 3-5) and reach out to them for an in-person consult! Meeting your photographer can be a huge indicator on whether or not they are the right fit. It allows you to ask more in-depth questions about their wedding experience, helps you get a sense for who they are and what they’re passionate about, and gives you insight on their personality and work style. It’s super important that your personalities mesh and that your photographer’s priorities align with your wedding day vision. If you’re on the fence between a few different photographer options, in-person meetings can be an indicator on who is right for you.
05. Look through the photographer’s website and past work
As I mentioned earlier, Instagram can be a great tool to see a photographer’s work and style, however, it’s important to note that social media is a highly curated highlight reel. Be sure to check out their websites and blogs to see full galleries of their work.
Final Note
I could probably continue this blog for hours and give super in-depth advice, but these 5 tips should empower you to begin your search confidently. Investing in a wedding photographer is a big decision, so be sure to take your time, ask a lot of questions, don’t cut corners, and listen to your gut. If you do that, I’m certain you’ll be happy with your photos and cherish them for years and years to come.