I am passionate about pictures.
I like good pictures….
Choosing your wedding photographer should not be taken lightly!
Image from here
Which means finding the perfect photographer for our big day was really important to me. Honestly, I think a lot of people forgo this totally and think of it as an area to skimp. Which there are way to cut back and save with photographers but in the end, I truly believe this is a place to invest some money.
What difference does it make what your centerpieces looked like, if you don’t have a photographer who remembered to get a picture of it? Why does it matter if you went to 13 dress stores to find the perfect bridesmaid dresses if there are not any pictures showing how beautiful they really were? Will you remember how much fun everyone had if your photographer did not get pictures of your wedding party hanging out between the ceremony and the reception?
There are a lot of factors to think about when you’re looking at photographers. Do not count on family to take lots of pictures. Too often your family gets caught up in the moment as well and they totally forget to take pictures. They want to enjoy it too and not have to worry about capturing the moments for you.
1. Style
You need to decide what your style is first of all. Do you like traditional mostly posed photos? Do you like organic and in the moment photos? Do you like creative ideas and effects? Do you like the colors in your photos to be more subdued or bright and colorful? It’s essential to find a photographer that has the same style as yours! That will allow you to enjoy your wedding day and not worry about whether they’re capturing the moments important to you.
2. Are you comfortable with this person? Are your personalities compatible?
You will be spending a lot of time with the photographer you choose getting prepared for your wedding day and on the day of your wedding. You and your fiancee need to feel comfortable with him or her and trust them when they suggest an off the cuff idea.
3. Experience Level
You do not have to get the most experienced photographer around, but they need to have enough experience that they know what they are doing. Again, this goes back to trust, you need to trust they are capturing the moments and people that are important!
4. What are you getting?
Make sure to read those contracts! Know how much time you’re getting. Whether you get one or two photographers. What is the payment schedule. Is the photographer you are talking to going to be the photographer? All of these things are important to know and if you have questions ask! I have realized the people I want to work with for my wedding are the ones that do not mind answering my questions. The ones that are rude and short tend to be ones I do not want to work with anyway.
5. Price
Notice price is last for me! Although yes, you have to stick to a budget, it’s not the most important thing. Like I said, there are lot of way to make photographers fit in your budget better. For example, you could not order any prints through your photographer. Ask to get digital copies of your pictures along with printing rights to them. You can order the prints yourself and save some money. Do not be afraid to explain your budget situation and discuss some options with your photographer. Mine was so easy to work with when it came to budgets and payments!
Keep in mind, I am NOT a wedding expert or planner. I am simply a bride and these were some of the most important things to me when choosing a photographer. I felt these ideas were important to share because I hate to think of a couple wishing they could have gotten a different photographer!
