You’ve got the ring on your finger, and now you just need to plan the most memorable events of your life. No pressure, right? If you’ve started the planning process, you might have already begun to pull out your hair in frustration, even if you’re one of those laid-back couples who scoffed at their “bride or groomzilla” friends (and if the stress hasn’t set in yet, just wait until you hear about the cake cutting fee!)
There’s no escaping the work that goes into executing a great wedding, and that includes knowing what to look for in a photographer. Fortunately, we’re making it easy with this guide, which includes everything you need to know to find your perfect wedding photographer and key questions to ask to help nail down your vision.
Imagine you’ve always really wanted to go to Paris. You finally get there, and because everyone told you to, you try the frog’s legs at a highly rated restaurant. But if you’re being honest, all you really wanted to do was see what kind of international menu items the local McDonald’s has. Ultimately, the frog’s legs were weird (and did NOT taste like chicken, no matter what science says). Whenever you think back to that trip, you can’t help but wish you had just gotten that McBaguette.
Choosing a wedding photographer solely based on price or their number of five-star Google reviews is the same thing. It doesn’t matter how good that photographer is — If their style doesn’t align with your personality and vision, you’re never going to be fully satisfied with the results.
That’s why it’s essential to take the time to decide the kind of style you want. Look at various albums and consider if you want your photos to be:
You should still check out reviews and testimonials to get a feel for the photographer’s professionalism and quality, but only you can decide if their style is right for you.
When choosing a photographer, one of the easiest places to start is by looking at portfolios. Sometimes — like when your friend suggests eating your pizza crust-first — you’ll have an instant gut reaction that a certain photographer just isn’t for you. Once you’ve narrowed your list to the options that don’t give you that feeling, it’s time to get forensic and tear apart the work they’re probably extremely proud of and likely spent years learning how to do. Enjoy?
It might sound harsh, but breaking down each photographer’s portfolio is the best way to decide what you want and whether their work aligns with that vision. Ask yourself these questions as you review their previous work:
If the answer to any of these questions is a resounding “no”, move on to the next option.
If you’re planning a wedding, it’s probably a conversation that your bank account is tired of you having. But hopefully, it’s one you’re getting good at. It’s important that you know what your money is actually getting you. Some photographers “forget to mention” certain additional costs for things like travel, copyright licenses, photo prints and even editing. If a photographer isn’t fully transparent about what they provide, it’s up to you to ask what’s included and how much everything costs.
If you’re also hiring a wedding videographer, a photo/video bundle can often get you the most bang for your buck. It also makes things easier by giving you a single point of contact who can make sure everyone’s on the same page in terms of style and planning. Trusting the same team for both services helps everything run smoothly on the day.
Having two separate teams capturing the day can sometimes result in the photographer and videographer interfering with each other’s work. This occasionally boils over and results in the words every couple wants to hear on their wedding day — “Get out of my shot, bonehead!”. If this is something you don’t want to chance, consider a bundled service.
Speaking of boneheads, it’s important that your photographer isn’t one. After all, this is someone who’s going to be present for some of the most intimate moments of your wedding. You need to feel comfortable enough to let them exist in the background and to make requests if needed.
The type of photographer that will make you comfortable will be personal to you. Would you prefer someone who’s formal and the epitome of professionalism to inspire confidence and a sense of security? Or maybe you would rather have a friendly face who’s going to make the whole experience fun and laugh with you when the maid of honor has a little too much bubbly and can’t make it through all of the photos.
No matter your preferences, make sure the photographer you choose communicates clearly and responds promptly.
You’ve finally found a photographer you really vibe with. You love their style, they have rave reviews, and you’re pretty sure it’s meant to be. Before you take the final step and sign a contract, make sure you get answers to the most important questions to ask a wedding photographer:
If you fail to ask these crucial questions, and you risk unexpected costs, nasty day-of surprises and wedding photos that look generic and bland. No thanks.
At the end of the day, your wedding photos aren’t just to help you remember one of the biggest events of your life. They should be pieces of art that only have one opportunity to be made, making them completely unique. Choose a photographer who understands that.
At Shutter & Sound, we’re all about creating art that captures the true feeling of your wedding rather than the boring, forgettable story that everyone else is peddling. Working across the United States and abroad, we have over 1,000 weddings under our belt and consistently deliver an authentic and cinematic style on every project. If you want to learn more about how we can bring your vision to life, just contact us online and we’ll be in touch.