How Do I Choose The Right Photographer?

Choosing a photographer is one of the biggest decisions that you will make while planning your wedding day. Your photos should capture the special moments of your day, and be a reflection of you as a couple.

With the experience of a professional wedding photographer, we put together this guide to help you find the best photographer for you.

How important is photography to you?

If your answer is ‘PHOTOS ARE EVERYTHING!’, then this article is for you! These steps will help you find a great photographer that meets all your requirements.

How much do you want to spend?

What are you looking at budget wise? This is a big factor in choosing who to hire. Quality wedding photographers often charge $1600+, with more experienced professional photographers charging upwards of $3500+ for wedding day coverage. That isn’t to say that you can’t find a good photographer for less, just do your research. Making your decision solely based on price often leads couples feeling disappointed in their images. No matter your budget, make sure you LOVE their work.

What editing style do you like?

Here is another important question to consider. Do you like bright photos? Perhaps you’re into a darker aesthetic? Or maybe you really like vibrant, colorful images. There is no right answer to this question. It’s all about your preference! Here are a few examples to help you find your style:

What shooting style do you like?

Are you looking for a more photojournalist style, someone who captures the day as it happens? Or are you wanting a more traditional and posed look to your images? Perhaps you want romantic and intimate photos with a very personal vibe. How involved do you want your photographer to be while working with you? If you are totally into being cuddly, kissing, and gazing into each others eyes, a photographer with an intimate shooting style is exactly what you need! If not, you probably want to hire someone that takes a more traditional & posed approach to weddings. Think about what style best reflects who you are as a couple, and how you want to view your day for years to come.

Now that you have the basis of what you’re looking for, it’s time to start searching for photographers!

Ask friends and family about photographers they loved working with. Search on Google. Check out local bride groups on Facebook and ask for recommendations.

If you post in local bride groups asking for photographer recommendations, include these things in your post:

1. Your wedding date and location.

2. Your budget. Example: $2000 – $2500. You want quality recommendations that are within the budget you’ve already set for yourself. There are TONS of photographers out there that can accommodate different budgets, so don’t be afraid to share yours. Providing this information will help you get quality leads.

3. What editing and shooting style you love. Ex. Looking for a moody photographer with an intimate shooting style. (like the image below.)

Once you have found some photographers you like, get to know them and their work!

Ask to see full wedding galleries. Make sure they work well in different lighting situations.

Think about how much time you need the photographer there with you. An average wedding day is 8 – 10 hours. Some couples need more time, and some couples need less. Provide location information, and talk to your photographer about how much time they might recommend. Many photographers will allow you to add more time onto your day in the future, so be sure to ask them if that is an option.

Schedule a consultation.

This is SO important. Ask the photographers you love if they would be willing to sit down with you over coffee, and talk more about your wedding. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know them, learn more about how they work, and see if your personalities mesh well. Photographers want you to love the experience of working with them, so it’s just as important to them as it is to you that your personalities click.

Tell them what you’re looking for with your images. Be upfront about any special requests you may have (extensive editing, a travel engagement session, etc…).

Go over their contract. Make sure you understand it all, and that it outlines clearly what you can expect from them. Ask them questions if you are unsure. They’ll be happy to clarify things for you!

Now it’s time to put your deposit down and book!

If your consultations went well, and you’ve finally found a photographer that you’d love to work with, its time to book your date. Once your photographer has your deposit and signed contract, you can check one more big decision off your list!

Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer questions along the way! They can help you find photo locations, plan your schedule, and make sure you have time for all the shots that are important to you. They want your wedding day to be amazing too!

We hope this guide helps you find your perfect photographer. Happy planning!

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