Well, it’s that time to start your search for a wedding photographer! After seeing so many options while scrolling Instagram or Google, you may soon ask yourself.. what should I consider (besides the great photos a photographer takes) when booking a photographer and what makes one photographer more qualified than the next?
The idea of choosing the right photographer can be a daunting task and slightly overwhelming, but if you remember these few important tips – you will be that much closer to narrowing down the right one!
- the basics
- full packages – extra costs are minimal
- reviews and happy couples
- passion + personality
- trust your gut
THE BASICS (business + communication + experience)
The first thing to consider is the photographer and their actual business. Who are they? Are they experienced? Is their style of photography one that will be attractive to you for decades to come? Are you able to find their business online and through social media? You should know and consider that a photographer’s prices may reflect a certain amount of experience and education. How important is a photographer’s experience to you? Secondly, a photographer’s business should be insured to prevent any accidents with equipment during your wedding. Finally, there should be an ease with communicating, booking, and a connection with your photographer – after all, you spend almost just as much time with your wedding photographer as your spouse on your wedding day!
THE FULL PACKAGE
The goal in booking your photographer should include getting all of those “musts” in your package and avoiding most add-on expenses. When you chat or meet with your potential wedding photographer, you should be asked basic questions about the timeline of your wedding day or if you’ll want a first-look (what is a first-look you ask? It’s the bride and groom seeing each other before the ceremony and it being captured by the wedding photographer). Would you like a second photographer at your wedding? When you provide as much information as you have – even if you don’t have your day completely scheduled out – you should still have an idea if you would like an engagement session or if you think you may like a wedding album. Any information you give a photographer about your wants and wishes should be one step closer to them providing you with an amazing package that includes everything you want. From this point, most photographer’s will feel confident they are providing you what you are requesting and their prices will reflect this with some (minor and within reason) room for negotiations. It never hurts to ask!
REVIEWS + HAPPY COUPLES
What are the people saying?! What’s the general happiness factor of the photographer’s reviews? Never underestimate a happy customer and the fact that they took the time to leave a great review. We live in a wold where we have a million things to do and are asked for a lot – so taking the time to leave a review for a business or online vendor is major! The business loves it and the couple searching in a sea of options finds relief and promise by reading a 5-star review! The next best if not the best thing is word-of-mouth referrals. If you were referred by a friend or acquaintance, chances are.. the photographer is worth getting to know!
PASSION + PERSONALITY
Okay, not to toot my horn, but I believe this is where I excel and what drives my business! Without passion for your business and what you do, it will show. A photographer with passion will always come through with artistic and sensitive work that you will love forever.
Personality – can you really photograph a wedding without a great personality.. yes, but will it be as easy.. no. A wedding photographer MUST be patient and sensitive to personalities and most importantly – be happy! We are not the focus of the day but we work with dozens to hundreds of people in one day. Choosing a photographer that works extremely well with people should be just as important as their expertise and experience!
TRUST YOU GUT!
When it comes down to, yet, another wedding decision… feeling comfortable with the person/people or vendor and trusting their delivery of service or product is what you should probably go with!
I am happy to report more than not, most brides and/or grooms I meet whether at booking, over email, or our first meeting, we tend to have a very friendly and natural working relationship. You definitely get a feel for the person’s personality and commitment to the job, even before the engagement session or wedding day!
Are you engaged or planning a wedding or elopement or if this article was useful for you.. drop a comment below to recieve a nice little gift from me!
