With photography high on the priority list for many couples, it is not surprising that brides (and grooms) spend a lot of time looking for the perfect photographer for their wedding. There are numerous wedding photographers and picking one might seem overwhelming, so therefore we would like to give you some tips on making this process a little easier.
{Style}
It speaks for itself that you should like the photographer’s style. You’ll get a good feel for their work by checking out their online portfolio as well as sample albums. There are many different tastes in photography and there is a photographer for everyone. Our style might not appeal to everyone and that’s okay. We cannot shoot everyone’s wedding. To offer the quality and service our clients deserve, we only shoot a limited number of weddings every year.
{Personality}
We think that it is very important that there is a “click” between the photographer and the couple. It doesn’t mean that your photographer should share the same passion for scuba diving, nor do you need to become best friends, but you should feel comfortable around them. After all, you will spend a lot of time with them on your wedding and the last thing you want is a photographer that will make you feel more nervous than you already are.
The best way to find out if you like your photographer’s personality is to meet them for a consultation. If that’s not possible, for example, when you are planning a destination wedding, take the time to talk over the phone (or Skype) with them. And if you are still undecided, you can always book an engagement session with your favourite photographer to find out how they work.
What we also want to add here is that not only should your photographer be a right fit for you, it also works the other way around. Your photographer needs to ensure that you’re a right fit for their studio as well. If for some reason, the photographer thinks that they are not the right match for your wedding, they will be happy to refer you to another wedding photographer that might suit you better. If you want great coverage you and your wedding photographer will need to work together, so there should be a connection between you. (Just in case you’re wondering… we have never turned away someone because they were a bad match
)
{Budget}
Although the last thing you want to do is select your wedding photographer based on price, the investment does need to work with your budget. If your total wedding budget is $25,000 there is probably no room in your budget for a $20,000 wedding photographer. You might find that the perfect photographer for your wedding requires a higher investment than what you had initially planned for. Discuss with your future spouse what is important for you on your wedding day. If photography is one of your top priorities you can expect to spend between fifteen and twenty percent of your budget on your photography. Perhaps you’ll decide to invite ten people less than what you were planning, or cut back on decoration costs a little. Or you may want to get creative and make your own favours or center pieces. Whatever you decide, it is important to keep in mind that the only visible reminders of your wedding are your rings and your photographs. If you cut back a little bit on other costs, you are probably able to afford the investment that your favourite photographer requires, without expanding your overall wedding budget.
{Basics}
There are a number of basic questions you should be able to ask your wedding photographer before you make your final decision. First of all, when you want to hire an expert, you would want to know if this is their full-time profession, or just one of the many things they do. Secondly, you might want to ask your photographer for references to find out what other couples have to say about them. Thirdly, a professional photographer should always have a back-up plan, back-up equipment, liability insurance, a clear and comprehensive contract, and they should be able to answer all your questions regarding these things. Fourthly, you need to ensure that your photographer is listening to what you want or if it is all about them and their photography. If your photographer only offers fixed packages, you should not feel pressured to buy something you do not want. Instead find someone that works with you and is willing to give you the coverage and product you are looking for. Lastly, some other details you’d want to know is the number of final images your photographer will deliver, when your images will be ready, how your family and friends can order prints, who will be shooting your wedding (generally the person you are meeting with), if there is a limit on locations or travel fees, whether they will present a combination of colour and black & white images, what the fee is for additional retouching of the images, and what the costs are for prints, wall portraits, albums, extra discs, etc.
When you’ve made your decision and know who you’d like to hire as your wedding photographer be ready to put down a deposit and sign the contract (after you have had all your questions answered, of course). It may not surprise you that a lot of photographers book Saturday weddings as far as 9 to 18 months in advance. So make finding your wedding photographer a priority, and relax when you’ve made your choice! Your wedding photographer will create stunning photographs that will last a lifetime and they will do everything they can to make you their biggest fan!