The impact of your wedding day hinges on one element—your photos. While small details may fade in memory, the images captured on your wedding day will endure with vivid clarity.
Securing a wedding photographer should be prioritized early in the wedding planning process, given its crucial role in your big day. Engaging the same photographer for engagement photos is likely, and in-demand photographers may have bookings months in advance.
Enlisting the services of a luxury wedding planner provides the advantage of being connected to top-tier photographers in the industry. However, if you’re undertaking the hiring process independently, we offer a tried-and-true list to assist you in identifying the ideal photographer for your special day. This comprehensive guide encompasses key considerations and insights to ensure that you make an informed and tailored choice, aligning with your vision and preferences for capturing the essence of your wedding.
1. Determine Your Desired Style
Knowing what you want before searching for a wedding photographer is vital. What is your style? What do you want your photos to look like? Do you like dark and moody shots? Are you all about natural light? If you love abundant natural light, then that is something to consider when choosing your venue.
2. Go Beyond Their Online Portfolio
Go the extra mile and check out their social media pages. Check out full galleries of weddings and do a little digging to visit their clients’ pages. It will give you a broader idea of how they shoot at an entire event.
3. Ask Important Questions
After you’ve determined your style and sifted through some galleries, it’s time to ask your potential photographer some questions. Here are just a few essential questions to ask:
- What is your experience level? How many weddings have you shot?
- Will you be my actual photographer at my wedding? Do you come alone or have a team?
- What do you include in your package? Is an engagement session included?
- How many hours of photography does your package include?
- Do you stick to a shot list or play it by ear?
- What is your turnaround time for finishing photos post-wedding?
4. Read the Entire Contract
Most photographers will include a stipulation that they own the images of your wedding. It means they have free rein to use your photos on their blog, website, ads, publications, social media, etc. They may also state that you must credit them when posting your photos on your socials. Sometimes, purchasing wedding albums or prints must be done exclusively through them.
5. Meet your Photographer in Person
An in-person meeting with your photographer will help determine whether you and your photographer have chemistry. The best photos come when there’s a natural connection, and you feel you and the photographer would be friends in real life. You should be comfortable and at ease in the presence of your photographer; it should feel like the perfect fit.
Whether orchestrating a grand luxury wedding, a moderate-sized event, or an intimate micro wedding, your chosen photographer holds the key to capturing timeless moments. Conduct thorough research to ensure confidence that your pictures will evoke smiles for years to come.
source: https://andrewrobyevents.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-wedding-photographer/
Comments
Download this infographic.