Finding the perfect wedding photographer can be overwhelming. With so many photographers out there, it’s hard to know who you can trust. You might know a friend of a friend who uses their photographer and loved it, but that’s about as far as your research goes. Finding the right photographer for your big day is different for each couple, and no two weddings are alike.
If you’ve narrowed down your search to a few photographers, here are five tips to help you choose your wedding photographer:
Know who you’re looking for.
If you’re having trouble choosing between one photographer and another, try narrowing down your search by focusing on the qualities you’re looking for in a photographer. While the best photographers are often the most skilled at their job, they’re also distinct due to their personality, creative vision, and approach to the wedding industry.
If you’re looking for a photographer who ticks all the boxes, you can find one who fits your needs! Before you approach photographers, take some time to think about who you want to photograph your wedding. What are some qualities you want to see in your photographer? What are some things you don’t want to see? What is it about the photographer you like best? Is there another photographer who is similar to that person? If so, how are they different from your ideal photographer?
Brainstorm potential photographers.
Start brainstorming who you might like to photograph your wedding. When you come up with a list of wedding photographers, don’t just pick the first couple that pops into your head. Instead, think about which photographers you would most like to work with, and why. Do you have a dream wedding photographer in mind? Think about who might fit your vision, as well as their skill set and experience.
Try to be as specific as possible when brainstorming who you might like to work with. If you just have a vague notion of a photographer you like, you’ll probably end up choosing a different type of photographer than you had in mind. Make a list of all the styles, themes, and approaches you like, and try to think about what aspects of each photographer’s work you like most. Once you’ve got a good sense of who you might like to work with, start researching them online. Get their website address or Instagram handle, and add them to your bookmark folder.
Go on a photo shoot with all your top picks.
You don’t have to hire the first photographer you meet. Try to narrow down your list of potential wedding photographers to a top five or six, and then schedule a photo shoot with them. This will give you a chance to see first-hand if they’re as great as your friends think they are, as well as give each photographer a chance to showcase their skills.
While it’s good to schedule a shoot with all of your top picks, don’t schedule them too far in advance. Save the date months away from your wedding date, so you can take the time to choose which photographer you want to work with. If you want to hire multiple photographers to capture different aspects of your wedding, try scheduling them a few months apart, to give you time to see which one you love the most.
Look at the portfolios of your top picks.
Once you’ve got a top five or six potential wedding photographers, it’s a good idea to go through their portfolios and see what types of weddings they’ve photographed. It’s good to understand who you’re hiring, and looking at their portfolio is a good way to get a feel for different photographers.
How do the photographers in your top five or six compare in terms of their styles? Which one’s portfolio has the most similar styles to what you’re looking for? If you’re having trouble deciding between two photographers, it’s a good idea to go through their portfolios together. Try to find the similarities between the photographers’ portfolios so that you can make an informed decision.
Interview your favourite potential photographers.
You don’t have to hire the first photographer you meet, but you do have to meet them. There’s no better way to get to know a photographer than to sit down with them for an interview. This is your chance to get to know your photographer and see what makes them tick.
What do they love about their job? What would you like to ask them? Interviews are a chance to dig into the details of what your photographer does and the why behind their job. These types of interviews allow you to learn more about your photographer and their job so that you’re able to make a more informed decision. It’s also a good idea to interview photographers who are not necessarily at the top of your list, to get a better sense of who they are and what they like about their job.
Ask tried-and-true wedding pros for their advice.
It’s a good idea to ask your friends for advice about finding the perfect photographer. How do your friends know who the best photographers are? Which wedding pros do they recommend? What are some of the best photographers in your area? Wedding pros love to talk about their work, and they’re always happy to share their advice with other pros. It’s a good idea to take notes while you’re talking to your wedding pros, to capture key information you’ll need to find your perfect photographer. These pros are often more than happy to help you find your dream wedding photographer.
Bottom line
Choosing the right wedding photographer is an important decision, but it can be nerve-racking. It’s important to keep in mind the qualities you want in a photographer, as well as the skill set and experience of each photographer. When you’ve narrowed down your list of wedding photographers to a top five or six, schedule a photo shoot with each one.
This way you can see first-hand if any of them are as great as your friends think they are, as well as see their skills in action. Go through their portfolios to find photographers with styles similar to the ones you’re looking for, and interview each photographer to get to know them.
Once you choose your top wedding photographer, don’t let them off the hook. Keep on top of your wedding photographer throughout the process, so that you know what they need and when they’re running behind.
