How to find the perfect photographe
We put a lot of effort into our wedding planning. We want the day to go smoothly and we want every precious moment captured for posterity. We want to remember our special day forever. We want to be transported back to the day, our memories triggered by photos that capture every moment. We want our future children to see and feel the emotions come alive as they pore over photographs of Mom and Dad’s big day.
Unfortunately, we have heard many horror stories about wedding photography and we don’t want that to happen to you. Here are our tips to help you find the perfect wedding photographer.
Decide on Your Budget
With photography, you get what you pay for. While you could possibly score a photography package at an unbelievable price on Groupon, do you really want to risk the quality of your forever wedding photos just to save some dollars?
Because photography is so important, it might be worth it to cut spending in another area of your budget.
In the US, wedding photography packages can range from $1200 on the lower end to $3000 on the higher end. The average price hovers around $2000.
Determine early in your wedding planning how much you want to spend or can realistically afford and shop for photographers within your price range.
Figure Out Your Style
Did you know that there are different styles of wedding photography? What’s your vision for your wedding photos? Look at various wedding photos online and determine which style of photography resonates the most with you.
You may like traditional, posed photos or you may prefer candid, photojournalistic photos or maybe even a combination of styles tickle your fancy.
Look at Portfolios
When you figure out your wedding photography style, you’ll be able to seek out photographers or who excel at it.
To determine if a photographer can capture the style you want, dig through their online portfolios or their social media feeds. If you like what you see, contact them.
Read Reviews
It goes without saying… you have to read their reviews on third party websites - Yelp, Facebook, wedding vendor sites etc. Read what other people say about their experience with the photographers you’re interested in.
Remember, it’s not just the quality of the photos. You want a photographer who shares your vision, and who has the type of personality and character you and your significant other would mesh with.
Check their Terms and Conditions
Read the fine print on your photography contract. You’ll need to be clear on who owns the rights to the photos as this could affect your ability to post online or print them. Typical photography contracts indicate that the photographer owns the rights to your wedding photos.
If you’re not comfortable with that, you’ll have to negotiate otherwise. Make sure you’re clear on rights to post online and whether you can print the photos on your own.
Ask for referrals
What could possibly be better than a word-of-mouth referral from someone you know and trust? If you’re scrolling through social media and stumble upon a friend’s wedding photos and you love them, double tap to show some love AND ask them for a referral.
Wishing you the most amazing wedding photos.
So you took our advice and planned an epic bridal shower for your bff. Food, music, venue and decor are covered.