How To Choose A Wedding Photographer
Alright, all our Brides and Grooms out there… this one is for you!!
You’re engaged! CONGRATULATIONS!
You’ve set your date, chosen a venue, spoken with a wedding planner, and now…
It is time to start choosing your wedding day vendors! And your wedding photographers will be one of the first vendors you meet with! So we are here to help you choose a wedding photographer that is perfect for you and your special day!
We are here to ease your mind because (Hellooooo Wedding Planning is #stressful, am I right!?) You have a “to-do” list a mile long, and on top of that to-do list, you are facing a mountain of questions that need to be answered!
- What is a first look, and should you do one?
- What are the benefits of two photographers at your wedding?
- Do I want photos of myself getting ready?
- How the heck do I even choose the right Wedding Photographer?!
Guys… we’ve got you. These are great questions, and we are here to assist you in how to choose a professional wedding photographer for you and your fiance by providing you with a 4 step process to help navigate finding the perfect photographer for you!
Believe it or not, the best way to answer a lot of the questions you may be asking yourself is by asking one additional question, and that is:
“What is important to YOU in a Wedding Photographer?”
To be clear, we don’t mean what is important on Instagram. And we are not talking about what all of your friends thought was important on their wedding day (even though we love our girls, and their input will definitely be helpful in the wedding planning process).
Instead, we want you to ask yourself what is important to YOU and your significant other regarding a wedding photographer on your wedding day.
So let’s dive in!
4 Steps To Help You Choose A Wedding Photographer:
1) Do I love their style of photography?
Photography is an art form. So first and foremost, when searching through wedding photographers’ photos, look at their style of photography and ask yourself:
- Do I love this style of photography?
- Do I like the ambiance that natural light photography makes me feel?
- Are wedding photographs like these what I imagine in a wedding album?
- Do I want wedding images like these hung on my home’s walls?
- Most importantly, is this what I want my wedding photos to look like 40 years from now when my first grandchild sits on my lap and flips through these photos with me?
So, ladies and gentlemen, give yourselves a huge pat on the back (if you’re like me.. a sip of wine will work just fine!!) because you are a fourth of the way there!
2) Do I love and trust this photographer(s)?
Alright, this is a big one. Brandon and I are huge on the word trust. To us, trust is everything.
When we hire a professional to work for us, we hire them because we believe their services will exceed our expectations. We have confidence in their work.
For all my ladies out there, I want you to imagine the feeling of getting your hair colored and cut. If you’re anything like me, you have been going to the same hair stylist FOREVER because you have found someone you trust enough to color and style your hair the same way every time. Now imagine the feeling of having to find a new hair stylist…
Complete and total PANIC!!
Am I right?! Yes, girl, SAME.
The reason for the freak-out is that now you need to build trust all over again with someone new. It is the same idea as a wedding photographer!
So when searching for your wedding photographer, ask yourself…
- Is their work consistent?
- When you chat with them, read their blogs, and see their Instagram posts, say to yourself, “do I have confidence in them?”
- Am I certain that they are experienced enough?
- Do I believe that they are genuinely passionate about what they do?
- Do I trust them to capture my once-in-a-lifetime moments?”
This is one you will have to figure out yourself! The best way to get to know someone is to meet them in person! Make sure you feel confident in them as well as their work!
3) What does a full wedding gallery from this photographer look like?
This is a huge one for brides and grooms out there!
So often, couples only see images photographers post on their Instagram/social media rather than an entire full gallery or even the photographer’s website.
Yes, we all want our Instagram-worthy bride & groom photos! We totally get it.
But your big day has dozens of incredible moments that include much more than your bride and groom photos. So do yourself a favor and ask to see an entire gallery from a wedding photographer before hiring them. You heard me, start to finish. Details, pre-ceremony, ceremony, formal photos, and through the reception!
Think of your day from start to finish in terms of images you might want.
- Photos of your mom fastening the necklace she wore on her wedding day around your neck
- The formal family photo going in the middle of your grandparent’s wall that will hang there for years to come
- The reception photos of your sister catching the bouquet, dancing with your dad, and laughing hysterically as your uncle does his signature “dance move!”
Remember that every moment on your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime moment! Find someone who can capture all of them!!!
4) Can I envision this photographer by my side on my wedding day?
This is the last one and possibly the most important. This is for every wedding vendor you hire, not just your photographer. Your wedding day happens once.
Hundreds of days of planning lead up to just a few mere hours. And every single vendor participating in your wedding day has a hand crafting your perfect wedding day.
So this is a big one. Ask yourself:
- Do you see this photographer with you through those milestone moments you will experience on your wedding day?
- Do you feel comfortable with them photographing a more intimate moment like the zipping of your gown?
- Most importantly, do they make you feel at ease, relaxed, and confident to have your photos taken by them?
The truth is, no one will be able to know if a photographer is a perfect choice for you except YOU!
These questions can help guide you in that process, but if you still aren’t sure, meet your possible photographer for coffee! Or even a video call! They would love to get to know you just as much as you want to know more about them!
As always, if you need anything, or have any questions, contact us. We love hearing from you!
Best of luck with your wedding planning!
Want to know if we are available for your wedding date or engagement session? Send us an Inquiry here!
Xo
Blanca & Brandon
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