You said yes, celebrated and shared the news. Now it’s time to plan the day of your dreams and book your vendors… but you feel overwhelmed by the possibilities.
Today I want to help you to narrow down your options and choose the right wedding photographer for you!
Here are 5 things to consider when looking for a wedding photographer.
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Your style and the overall theme of your day
The first thing you need to consider when looking for your wedding photographer is your own style. Are you adventurous or more romantic? Do you like light colors or dark colors? Are you more laid back, classic or glamorous?
The second thing to ponder is what’s the overall feel/theme are you trying to have on your wedding day?
Now with these things in mind, you can start narrowing down your search for wedding photographers. There are so many great professionals in the industry and there are several different photographic styles to choose from.
For example, My style is timeless, joyful, romantic, light and airy and mostly shot in natural light. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to style. But the best thing is to inquire with photographers that have a similar style to yours.
Remember, your wedding photos will probably end up all over your new house. Think about the style that will fit your house too!
PRO TIP: Your wedding photos are going to be passed to your next generation. You will never regret choosing timeless elements. They will not fade with time!
2. What is important to you, what do they offer?
What are the things that you absolutely want when it comes to creating your memories? Write them down and make sure you communicate with the photographer when you are inquiring. Make sure he/she offers the services and products you are looking for. If there’s one time in your life you can be demanding, this is it!!! You cannot recreate your wedding day, so if you think something is important to you, I highly recommend you to budget for it and get it!
Here’s a list of some common important things to engaged couples:
- Engagement Session
- 8h of coverage with possibility to add some extra hours, if needed
- 2 photographers
- Traveling
- Albums
- Parent Albums
- Prints
- Digital files
- Social Media Ready files
3. The entire process and how easy or difficult their workflow fits your lifestyle
(meetings vs. online communication/ proofs instead of easy design for albums)
If I could give you only one tip, this would be it. Always ask your prospective photographer about the entire process, from booking to the final delivery of your images and album. There are so many great photographers out there… You will find a lot of talented professionals that are able to deliver good quality images. But remember, you are not only paying for the final images, you are paying for the entire experience, the entire package.
Most couples book their wedding photographer at least 1 year in advance. Think about how do you and your fiancé want to spend that year? Do you prefer to book and never talk to your photographer until the day of your wedding or do you prefer to have a relationship with him or her? Do you prefer to meet several times throughout the process or you are more of “savvy” couple that rather do things electronically and via email? Do you want to be proof your album in person or with a simple touch of a button?
Again, no right or wrong, but the entire workflow needs to fit your personal life! So make sure you ask about it!
4. The nitty gritty
Ok, the boring part of it… Nobody wants to think about anything going south on their wedding day (or throughout the planning stages!), but there are a few things you should ask your photographer when it comes to the legal aspect of your wedding photography.
A few things to keep in mind before you book are:
- Is he/she a real business?
- Does he/she use professional equipment that are able to provide good quality even under not too good circumstances (such as rain, low light, etc)?
- Does he/she have liability insurance?
- Does he/she have an official contract?
- What if for any reason he/she is not able to perform the work on the day of your wedding?
I know, I know… not fun! But these questions are sooo important to protect you, your special day and your memories. So make sure you get your answers before signing anything!
5. Connection: personality is sooo important
This is for me one of the most important things in the entire process. I may be repeating myself, but again, there are soooo many talented and very capable wedding photographers out there with the style you want. But there’s only one YOU!
Making sure you book a photographer that you connect with, that you “click” with is extremely important. So important that I do not book just every couple that inquires with me, I only book couples that I think we’re a good fit to each other.
Here’s why: I do not take lightly that your wedding day is probably the most important day of your life. The day you probably dreamed of your entire life. I think you deserve it to be perfect!
You’ll spend more hours of your wedding day with your photographer than with your future spouse.
Make sure your personalities are a good fit. Are you ok with having an enthusiastic, energetic photographer hanging out with you the entire day? Or you rather have someone more introspective? Do you want someone that will guide throughout the day or just follow you taking photos of what’s happening only?
That’s your day and it’s more than ok to plan it to be YOUR way!!! So clicking with your photographer is sooo important… and it goes beyond of the services he/she can provide you is also about the vibe he/she will add to your wedding day!!!
I really hope these 5 tips help you! I know that planning a wedding and choosing your vendors can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be!!!
If you have any additional question, get in touch! I’m here to help you bring your dream, your vision to life!
READY TO INQUIRE ABOUT YOUR DREAM DAY? CLICK HERE
WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT WEDDING PLANNING? Click here to read about 3 reasons why you should invest in a wedding album!
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