Three Important Factors for Choosing a Wedding Photographer (Other Than Price)
When you reminisce about your wedding, chances are you’ll want to look at photos taken during the special day. And good photos, thanks to a good photographer, will stir up memories of how you felt during the wedding: the sunshine or cool air on your skin, seeing your guests tear up during the ceremony, smiling into your partner’s eyes, sampling the delicious dishes or cake during the reception, or taking your first dance as a married couple. A good photographer’s work will help you remember these details and marvel at the beauty of each photo. To get such photos, it’s important to find a photographer that you and your loved one click with.
Personality
When choosing a photographer based on their personality, ask yourself, “Would I be friends with this person in a non-professional setting?” Liking and getting along with your photographer is important because he or she will be around during the whole wedding day. Think about it: getting ready, walking down the aisle, reciting your vows, having your first dance…every activity and moment of the wedding may be documented by the photographer.
You’ll want to feel comfortable with that person. You’ll want someone who talks to you to distract you from your nerves and cracks jokes to make you laugh. (That’s one of my specialties.) Don’t choose someone you don’t actually like just because they’re cheaper! Remember, your photographer will also be speaking to your family and guests to take their photos. You want someone who will mesh well with as many of them as possible.
Portfolio
After you’ve found someone you like and feel comfortable with, take a closer look at their portfolio. (You can even do this by checking out their social media pages like Facebook or Instagram to see what their work looks like.) Take some time to decide what kind of aesthetic you and your partner want in yours. Three popular image styles include:
- Clean: natural look, lightly processed
- Matte: low-contrast, muted colors, vintage vibe
- High Contrast: vibrant, bright colors
Next, look at the composition of the photos. Are they artistic and unique? Are the subjects candid and natural? Consider how much posing for photos you’d be able to handle during the wedding. This is why a documentary-style photographer is the best choice for brides.
Your wedding day will be stressful enough, and sometimes organizing posed formal photos can be a pain. It also takes away time you can spend with your guests. Time flies quickly during your wedding, and a documentary-style photographer can capture the natural and genuine moments that occur without interruption.
Professionalism
Once you’ve found a photographer with beautiful style and personality to match you and your future spouse, make sure he or she has a great sense of professionalism. A professional will be subtle enough to capture wonderful photos but avoid annoying your guests or blocking their views of the both of you. But your photographer should also be active and willing to get that perfect candid shot by moving around the environment or talking to guests.
Contract-wise, a professional will specify what is included in your investment. For example:
- what products you’ll get: prints, albums, slideshows, etc.
- if you’ll get an assistant photographer
- travel expenses or destination weddings
- if color correction will be used on the images
- what kind of attire the photographer(s) will wear to the wedding
- how long after the wedding will the product be ready
Remember: once your wedding day is over, the leftover cake is gone, and your gorgeous gown is stored away, the two things you’ll have left are your memories and the photographs. When you choose the perfect photographer who matches your personalities and style, that will shine through in your photos.
Need more evidence that I’m the right photographer for you? Check out what some of my awesome clients had to say about my work.