Tips For Choosing A Wedding Photographer
Now that you’ve bought that kickass, dream dress that you can’t wait to wear on your big day, it’s time to start thinking about the photographer that will capture you in all your bridal glory. From those little moments before the wedding when you’re nervously awaiting your debut to the swoosh of your gown as you have your first dance with your partner. Finding the right photographer is so important for your big day as these are the photos you’re going to have forever and share with family and friends. You want to make sure your wedding will be captured in the style you want, and of course, have a photographer who knows exactly what light to capture your gown in. If you need some help with your photographer search, we’ve listed some tips below on how to find your perfect wedding photographer!
Photography by Fabiana Skubic Photography
Know Your Photo Style
Do your research on wedding photos before you even start looking for a photographer. It sounds like such a simple step that you can skip to save time (you have to admit you were thinking it the second you saw the word research), but actually, it’s one of the most important. If you go into your photographer search knowing exactly what you want, it will be easier to weed out options pretty quickly. Take a deep dive into Pinterest and Instagram, where you can archive photos that interest you. You can even put together a folder of photos that you archived to compare to a photographer’s work to see if their style matches what you’re going for. Do you like a documentary style with a lot of candid shots or a more portrait style? What type of post-production edits are you more drawn to? Light and airy or vibrant colors? Are you pinning all film photography? Maybe you should consider hiring a film photographer. Honing in on a style you prefer will help you find the right photographer for your big day.
Search Their Socials and Website
It can be hard to form an opinion about a photographer’s work based on just one photo you’ve seen or a collection of photos from one wedding. In this day and age, we can have information that we desire within minutes. So, take the time to browse through the websites and social media that your potential photographer may have and look through all of their work, not just weddings they’ve done. It can help you gauge their style when it comes to taking photos and how they adapt to the environment they’re put in because they will be taking photos of every aspect of your wedding, not just one part.
Set Up A Meeting
If personalities don’t mesh, then it’s going to be an unpleasant experience for everybody involved. Make sure you set up “interviews”, in person or over the phone, with each of the photographers you are considering for your big day to gauge their personality. You will be spending most of the day around this person and are trusting them with capturing one of the biggest days of your life, you want to make sure you get along, and they fully understand your vision.
Ask About Post-Production and Rights
We’re all guilty of assuming it should be quick to upload and share photos, but it can take a while to sort through all of the photographs and have them put into a shareable form (if only they could be airdropped). Most photographers can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to deliver your photos, with some offering a sneak peek before delivering the full photo package. Make sure you discuss with your photographer how long they need to prepare photos post-wedding and what your rights to the original photos will be. Some photographers may require that you are only allowed to post watermarked photos, or it could be as simple as making sure they are tagged as the photographer. Either way, it’s safer to know what their policy is before you decide to book them, and make sure these details are included in your contract!
Have An Action Plan
A few weeks before the wedding, sit down with your chosen photographer and discuss the must-have photos you want on your big day. Whether that’s detail shots of your reception decorations, behind the scenes of the bride and groom getting ready, or that treasured family portrait, it’s important not to assume that your photographer will capture these moments. This way it’s clear on both ends what needs to be captured, and the photographer will still have room to be creative.
Share this with a bride who is searching for their wedding photographer. Trying to find a wedding gown as well? Browse our collection of wedding gowns that are made-to-measure and priced at $1,200 or less!
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