Your wedding day is an incredibly special moment. A once in a lifetime occasion that deserves to be commemorated accordingly.
Lucky for you, we live in an era of extremely sophisticated technology capable of getting up close and personal, catching every beautiful moment and emotion.
From smiles to tears of sheer joy and overwhelming love, modern technologies got your back.
But wait, there’s a little more to it than that.
Choosing a wedding photographer worthy of recording the immensity of your big day involves a lot more than hiring someone with a bunch of fancy expensive gear.
So, what exactly do you need? This quick and easy guide has you covered. From coming up with your ideal vision to interviewing and hiring the right candidate, it’s all included here.
How Do You Want Your Wedding Photographed?
First and foremost, how do you want your big day photographed?
There are so many different styles of wedding photos. From traditional (think everyone lined up neatly in rows) to photo journalistic (candid snaps focused on the experience, the emotion, with less emphasis on staging shots) to beautiful landscape scenes or moody visions with dark backgrounds and silhouettes of light… There’s a lot to choose from.
Before you begin your search for a wedding photographer, get clear on the style (or blend of styles) you’d like to have. That way, you can find someone who understands your vision, and when reviewing their work, you can get a sense of whether or not they’ll be able to deliver.
Start brainstorming the photos you want, how you want to be captured with your fiancée, and how you envision the pictures of you and your bridesmaids. Think ways to showcase how beautiful you all look using fresh creative approaches.
Do:
- Ensure that you’ve explained your vision, and ask candidates to share how they would go about bringing it to life
- Check their portfolio to get a sense of their style and capabilities
Who is your Ideal Wedding Photographer?
Obviously, you want a photographer you’re comfortable around, and that’s not something you can necessarily pick up on until you’ve had a chance to meet in person and chat.
Beyond feeling at ease around someone, you also need to think about the type of person you’re hiring for the job.
Do you want someone who goes with the flow and takes advantage of incredible moments when they pop up? Moments such as the perfect light streaming through a floor-to-ceiling window, bathing you and your new spouse in golden light?
Or would you prefer someone with a more rigid, structured approach?
Do:
- Ask about how they go about commanding a crowd
- Make sure they’re clear with you about what they need from you in order to yield beautiful pics
- Ensure they’re willing to collaborate with you and your ideas
What Packages are You Looking for?
Wedding photographers often provide different package options. This can include snapping your engagement photos, providing a videographer as well as someone there getting the still-life moments, and many offer editing, print, and album packages as well.
Other options can include providing a photo booth, or various backdrops for fun lighthearted moments.
You probably have an idea of what you’d like as far as services go, and it’s important to check and make sure these are available when looking for the right wedding photographer.
Do:
- Get a complete cost breakdown of everything they offer
- If there’s something you want but don’t see listed, it’s okay to ask.
What are their Contingency Plans?
In situations such as bad weather or equipment malfunctions, what are their contingency plans? What situations have they faced where things went awry, and how were they able to deliver despite the setbacks?
Do:
- Make sure they are prepared to weather technical difficulties and environmental challenges.
What Do Their Reviews Say?
While a picture says a thousand words, so do reviews. That’s why it’s important to check both their portfolio and what others have to say about working with them.
Another detail worth checking out is their website: Is it professional and visually pleasing? Do their rates accurately reflect the quality of their work?
We live in an age where pretty much everyone has a camera, and it can be tempting to dismiss photography as an art. Don’t cut corners here. You want a professional, and the person you hire deserves to be compensated accordingly. If it’s in the budget, hiring a professional who knows exactly what they’re doing is worth every penny.
Do:
- Check reviews, and look for things like whether or not they were easy to work with, flexible, and if their work exceeded expectations
Conclusion:
At the end of the day, your wedding is a testament to you. It should reflect your aesthetic and personality, quirks and all. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want, and above all, have fun!