How to Choose a Wedding Photographer. 3 Tips For Choosing
There’s no doubt that your wedding day will be one of the most important days of your life. It’s a day filled with heightened emotions: tears, laughter, and intense love. So how do you find a dream photographer to capture these special moments? And what makes a dream photographer “the one?”
Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about liking the photos. Of course, that’s important, too. It’s more than that, though. It’s about finding someone who gets your aesthetic, who you can communicate well with, and who will be able to capture everything that day.
This guide will define what a wedding photographer is and the tips you should follow to find your dream wedding photographer.
What Does a Wedding Photographer Do?
People are sometimes surprised to learn that photographers have different labels: fine art photographer, documentary photographer, or fashion photographer, for instance. While many of these may be able to do a decent job shooting your wedding, what you specifically want is an experienced wedding photographer.
Think of a wedding photographer as someone who will tell your wedding story through photos, ensuring that the story is infused with memories, magic, love, and creativity. They’ll help you find great backdrops for your photos, capture candid shots, and ensure every magical moment is caught and captured in a style you both agree upon.
So, how do you find this special person? It’s easier than you think.
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer: 3 Important Tips to Remember
Many people worry that they don’t know how to judge photographs, so how can they possibly know whether a photographer is any good? You don’t have to be an expert at judging photographs. Nor do you even have to know any photography skills. You simply have to know what you like visually and don’t like. Having said that, a few tips can help improve how you choose.
1. Choose a Style of Photography You Like
When you’re choosing a wedding photographer, you want someone with a similar aesthetic to your own. You may not be able to define that aesthetic or articulate it well, but you’ll know it when you see photos that align with your style. Note down any photo that catches your eye or makes your heart swell with longing.
Start by checking out the photos on Instagram and Pinterest. You can also find photos in magazines and online sites. Don’t be afraid to go down the rabbit hole and do hours of research. Start wide and narrow your search to your top favorite photos as you start to define your own aesthetic. Your style will start to pop out eventually. Maybe it’s documentary-style images or photos that use soft lighting. Once you’ve decided on a style, collect them for reference. Your wedding day will be one of the most important events of your life, so you want photos that capture it perfectly.
Next, you’ll need to search for a wedding photographer whose style aligns with your collection of images. Remember, photographers have their own voices so finding one whose voice matches your style is key. If you love the photographer’s gallery, there’s a good chance you’ll love the final photos they present to you.
2. Find a Photographer Who Can Work With Your Budget
According to The Knot, in 2023, 90% of couples hired a wedding photographer. And of those 90%, most couples spent about $2,900 on their wedding photos. This doesn’t mean you’re obligated to spend $2,900. You can pay less or you can pay more. Wedding photography packages range from $500 – $10,000, depending on what you want. On the low end, you’re obviously going to get a basic camera package, such as limited hours and basic editing. On the higher end, though, there could be a second and third shooter, drone shots, underwater shots, and more.
In the same study by The Knot, 74% of couples chose their photographer based on price. This is why creating a budget is crucial. You want an affordable photographer whose style matches your aesthetic but will still deliver high-quality images. Depending on your budget, that can be challenging to find.
Do extensive research when looking for an affordable high-quality wedding photographer. Most wedding photographers list their prices on their website so you can get a good idea of what you’ll be spending. If they don’t, you can quickly send an email asking what their photography packages are. If you find your ideal wedding photographer but can’t afford their packages, ask if there are options, such as shorter hours or specific services only. For example, they could skip the “getting ready” shots and just cover the ceremony. In addition, take a look at the packages. You may not want the entire package. Decide what’s most important to you and let that be the basis of your decision.
3. Find Someone You Connect With
Some people focus so much on budget and style, they forget about finding someone they connect with. While this may not matter to some – as long as the photographer “gets the shot” – it’s critical that you get someone you click with. You don’t have to be a perfect match, but you want someone who you feel comfortable being around (they’re going to be at your wedding after all!).
Try to set up a meeting so you can meet the photographer in person. Do they listen to your ideas and what’s important to you? Do you feel relaxed and natural around them? The more natural you are around them, the more you’ll feel at ease on your wedding day. Remember, they’re not just a vendor, they’re more like a special guest on your wedding day, capturing intimate moments that you’ll cherish forever.
Finding someone you can easily communicate with will make everything go a lot smoother, too. And with all the things on your mind – the decor, the wedding cake, the guests – it’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about.
Ask Questions
If you have narrowed down your list to a couple of photographers, you may want to get some detailed answers on their process before making a final decision. Questions to ask a wedding photographer include:
What Is Your Turnaround Time?
While the turnaround time may not seem particularly important, you don’t want to wait six months before seeing all the magical moments captured on camera. Plus, it would be nice to share some of your favorite photos on social media a few weeks after that special day. Some photographers do offer “sneak peeks” before they start the heavy editing. But don’t be afraid to ask and get an idea of the photographer’s timeline.
Can I See Wedding Photos From Start to Finish?
Wedding photographers often show the “best of” in their galleries. And while that may impress you, you should ask to see shots of an entire wedding day to fully understand what you’re getting. Why? You want to know how a photographer captures everything, not just the gorgeous portrait shots. Weddings aren’t just about the exchanging of the rings or cutting the cake. It’s also about the quiet moments in between, the random explosions of laughter, the awkward nephew/niece moments, and so on. Seeing how a photographer captures everything will also give you an idea of how they handle things like tricky lighting, quick dance movements (is the shot blurry or in focus), or a dark dance floor.
What’s the Payment and Cancellation Policy?
Money talk may make you uncomfortable, but this is a conversation that you will need to have with your photographer. Knowing their payment schedule and how much the deposit is will prevent financial surprises later on. Some photographers allow payment plans while others prefer one payment before and one payment after.
Cancellation is another term you may not want to bring up, but it’s necessary. There are always stories of the bride or groom having to cancel or postpone the wedding at a moment’s notice. While you hope this scenario doesn’t happen to you, it might – and you don’t want to fork over thousands of dollars to a photographer who didn’t take one photo. Find out if your deposit is refundable.
Will You Be Working With a Second Shooter?
Many wedding photographers work with second shooters because they simply can’t be everywhere at once. While the wedding photographer focuses on the couple, the second shooter focuses on the guests and/or the decor. If your preferred wedding photographer has a second shooter, find out what the second shooter will be capturing. While the bride is walking down the aisle, who will capture her parent’s reactions? When a professional photographer has a second (or even a third) shooter, couples can rest assured that no moment will be missed.
Looking for the perfect wedding photographer for your wedding? Let’s work together! Contact our team to find out what we can do for you.
