Planning a wedding involves so many choices and decisions and it can feel pretty overwhelming at times. Finding the perfect venue, vendors, and to have vows that you will cherish forever are a little out of my expertise. However, I can share a handful of questions to ask your potential wedding photographer to make sure you find the right one to capture your special day.
I recommend doing your engagement photos with your wedding photographer if possible. It’s a great way to get to know your photographer, to get comfortable in front of the camera, and a wonderful way to capture the entire journey.
Pay attention to how quickly vendors respond to messages. If you have a question and it takes them over a week to get back to you, is that something you are comfortable with? You might be IN LOVE with a photographers work but, they might not be a good fit if communication is a struggle.
This is not an indication of their talent. Some new photographers can have stunning work and older photographers may have a style you aren't searching for. Knowing how many weddings they have done can help you gauge their general experience level.
Having a photographer that is familiar with your location can be a great asset and can help avoid those bumps in the road. For example, if you are getting married at Carver's Gap, does your photographer know how far it is to get there? Do they have a backup plan if your ceremony spot is crazy busy or crowded?
It’s always a good idea to look at a photographer’s full gallery of a wedding day so that you can get a sense for what their style looks like on all the in-between moments and not only on the few Instagram-worthy photos they may have posted. Consider if you like the way that they capture getting ready and family photos, what little moments are they missing, and whether the photos are mostly posed or candid, etc.
It's a great idea to look at a full gallery from your chosen photographer so you can get a little taste of what style they have. Do you like how they capture the getting ready part of the day? What about the family portraits? What might they be missing that you want? Are their images mostly candid or posed, etc.
Making sure your photographer is comfortable using flash for your day is important. Are they able to handle fast lighting changes? Can they manage a low-light scenario? Lighting matters in your photos and making sure your photographer manipulates their work in the best way matters.
When a photographer has a second shooter join them on your special day it can help capture the moments your lead photographer physically can't! It really depends on your wedding size.
Your photographer has probably been to many, many weddings. They might be able to give insight to what vendors can help bring your day together. Ask away!
It's important to build a positive relationship with your photographer. You are going to spend a ton of time with them on your wedding day. Make sure to find a photographer that you like all around. Read through their contract, browse their galleries, and have a chat with them to make sure you fit together. Keep in mind that choosing your photographer and/or videographer is one of the biggest decisions you make during the wedding planning journey.
If you have any questions about what other things to keep in mind, please reach out!
If you are looking to hire a photographer, I would LOVE to chat with you!
