Your wedding is all about you… and your future spouse of course, so shouldn’t your wedding photography style reflect your personality? How often in your life will you be in your best dress, fully made-up and with a professional photographer snapping pictures of you all day long? Make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity to capture memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Certain realities will factor into your decision making. Kate Middleton and Prince William, for example, were rather obligated to stick with a formal, conservative, traditional approach befitting their social and political position. If a wealthy relative is bankrolling the day’s proceedings, you may have to agree to a certain style in exchange for the financial support. If you’re free to be yourselves, then here are some tips on finding the right photographer.
Search Immediately and Everywhere
Ask friends and family about who their photographer was and how they would rate them. A great photographer can disappear in the crowd to unobtrusively catalog the best moments of your day. Check out their wedding album and see if it’s the direction you would like to go.
Ask for recommendations from your wedding planner, venue manager, caterer, baker, florist or limousine driver. They’ve likely worked with photographers in the past and will know their reputation.
The photographer’s peak hours season is Saturdays in the spring, so if you’re big day is during that time, book your photographer as soon as possible because some some wedding photographers book their schedules a year in advance.
Peruse Portfolios
Decide what is best for the feeling and tone you want your photos to express.
- Formal
- Glossy, upscale magazine look
- Artsy approach with dynamic lighting and composition
- Vintage
- Instagram vibe
- Candid, journalistic approach
You may want a mix of styles, but don’t know how to approach it. Create a photo booth with various props for guests to take the funniest pics. Theme the booth to correlate with the wedding. If your theme is elegant, you may want to load your booth with 1920s props. If your theme is casual, stock your booth with moustaches, hats, boas and the like.
Narrow the candidates to three and interview the photographer. Look at a full wedding album, from start to finish.
Look Into Logistics
Questions to ask:
- How much experience do you have with weddings?
- Do you have adequate equipment for the venue you’ll be using?
- Will you need assistants or additional photographers to capture all of the shots on my must-have list?
Personality Profile
Be sure there’s no personality conflict with your photographer. Sure, they’re providing a service, but they’ll also be around for some of the most intimate moments of your life. When your mum helps to put your veil on, you don’t want someone you dislike in the room – no matter how talented they are. Someone who takes time to get to know you and your intended and gets along well with you will provide the best photos.
Talk Money
Negotiate a price for everything, including the packages and wedding proofs. Sign a contract. It’s there to remind both you and the photographer what you agreed upon. Find out what part of your day is covered and how many hours you have with your photographer; talk about the event when and where the ceremony and reception are.
