How to Find Your Wedding Photographer
Wedding photography is such an important investment and you want to find someone who will share your vision and authentically capture your day, but how do you find the right one?
Here are some some questions and considerations to help you as you sift through the seemingly endless options of wedding photographers before you.
Photography Style
What style of photography do you love? Photojournalistic, traditional or artistic? What about edits - do you like light and airy images with a dreamy ambiance or does dramatic, dark and bold fit your style more? Does a current trend speak to you or are you looking for a photographer that captures your day in true-color (meaning not manipulating color) so that your memories are preserved in all the perfect beauty and vivid colors that you so carefully curated?
Each photographer has their own style so take time to look at some portfolios and notice if there are certain themes or vibes that really draw you in.
Fads go fast, so it might be worth considering how you’ll feel about photos in 5-10 years. Look back at your old photos, do you love how you edited them back in high school or is your style different now? If it’s the same then you know you’ve got something you love, if your taste has changed, maybe go for a more true-color expression that will hold timeless value and beauty in your heart.
Review Portfolios
Observe what kind of images photographers showcase, are there full galleries where you can see the full day? Do they include full body portraits as well as close ups? Do photos feel overly posed or natural and candid? Do you feel like their photos tell a story, can you feel the emotion? Also, if it’s important to you, you may want to see if they include photos of guests.
— I personally think every wedding should be fully documented with all the in-between-moments and emotion that make it uniquely YOU. This means that on top of the typical portraits of the wedding party and family, I always include candid photos of your guests because I know they matter to you and you’ll want to see your friends enjoying their time at your party!
Testimonials
Check out their google business reviews and any testimonials you can find. This will give a glimpse into the experience you can expect. Do their clients rave about them as a person? What do they say about the photo quality? All this info is super helpful for you to determine who you want to work with.
Set up a Meeting
Ok now that you’ve narrowed down the list to your top 2 or 3 photographers, set up a zoom call or meet in person if you can. If they’re willing to give you their time without a signed contract first, this also shows you that they care about you and want to ensure you all enjoy working together. This meeting is perfect to share your vision, ask questions and gain clarity on if you’d be a good fit.
Chemistry with your photographer is essential for comfortable and natural-looking photos
Photographer’s Personality
It’s wild, but your photographer is with you more than anyone else on your wedding day! You want to make sure you click with your photographer.
Do you feel like your potential photographer really understands and cares about the things that matter most to you? Do you feel truly seen and heard by them?
Do they seem like the type of person who is willing to jump in and give above and beyond? It’s wild how many little things can pop up and since the photographer is right there, you want to have someone who’s got your back, willing to run, carry your train, help navigate interpersonal dynamics so you get to fully enjoy your day, pin that boutonniere, sew on that button that popped off, help you fix your makeup, remind you how the cake cutting goes, the list goes on and on.
— I’ve literally done all these things and it’s impossible to plan for them so make sure you’ve got a photographer who cares about you enough to do more than just take pictures but will step in to help when needed.
Investment: How to Think about Wedding Photography
I know that weddings get expensive fast and it’s super easy to try to cut corners with photography. Don’t do it!
After your wedding day is over, your photos and video (if you get one) will be the only things you can look back on and you want your photos to fully and beautifully reflect the day you’ve dreamed of for so long.
I’ve heard horror stories of brides who went with the cheapest photo and then cried when they saw the results: grainy, out of focus, and bad coloring, or really important moments missed.
Think of photography as your wedding gift to each other, these photos are an investment that you gift to each other and your family for life. It’s worth it.
FYI the national average for photography is $3,500 but fluctuates based on location, package & time as well as photographer’s skill and experience level.
How Do I Pick the Right Wedding Package?
What services and experience do you get when you hire your photographer? Do they provide additional features beyond just a certain number of photos? Will they help you plan and dream? Do you want a package that provides prints or album credits? Do certain packages include engagement sessions, is that something you need/want?
Here are some helpful things to consider:
How long do I need a wedding photographer?
Well that depends on if you want every little detail captured and all the in-between-moments with your girls or guys? Or you may want a more simple experience, just the wedding ceremony, family and bridal party portraits and maybe a few moments at the reception. Thinking about this will help you decide if you want just a few hours or full day experience.
How long will it take to get my wedding photos?
Does your photographer provide a sneak peek? How long before you see those? What is the estimated time of your full album delivery?
The average is 4-6 weeks but some photographers can take up to 6 months.
— I don’t leave the reception without sending 15-30 sneak peek photos to the bride & groom's phone. It’s one of my favorite things to see their faces beam as they get an instant recap of their day. Typically my full wedding albums are delivered within 3-4 weeks! How will I get my wedding photos?
There are 3 options most photographers provide: online gallery, USB with photo files, or prints.
If your photographer only provides an online gallery or prints, you may be more limited in your access of other photos or not be able to make your own prints. If you have a downloadable gallery make sure that you have access to high-res images so you can print them because most photos on a website are compressed which won’t look good printed out but is great for insta.
— My packages have the option of either downloadable galleries for the basic package or a USB with keepsake box and a few prints for you to frame right away. Depending on the package there are other prints included like a canvas or galleria but no matter which you choose from me, you have the right to make more prints and to share your photos for personal use as much as you want. I don’t restrict your access to your wedding photos - this is not always the case, so make sure that you know what you’re getting before you sign a contract. Sign a Contract
All the above questions should be outlined in your contract: dates, deadlines, logistics, any extra fees etc. You always want to make sure that everything you agreed to is in writing. All this helps protect you and your photographer if things come up. Going over the contract together is a helpful way to ensure that all your questions are answered and you feel comfortable moving forward. You should feel relief, excitement and confidence at this point, if you don’t - keep exploring your options. Don’t let anyone pressure you into sining a contract you aren’t comfortable with or ready for.