Get a clear idea of your wedding photography style.
There are three primary types of wedding photography: photojournalistic, classic, and posed.
- Photojournalism is a reportage style of photography in which the photographer candidly documents the wedding. It’s also called documentary or natural wedding photography. You can find an example of this style here.
- Classic photos refer to portraits taken with more formal direction from the photographer and using a few different poses. This style is also referred to as “traditional” or “posed.” You can see an example here.
- Posed photography involves more specific details captured by the photographer at prearranged points during the day and with the direction given to create particular moments that can be photographed (such as cutting the cake). A recent trend, this style combines elements of classic and photojournalism and often uses both techniques interchangeably throughout the day. An example of this style can be seen here.
While there are strengths and weaknesses to each type of photography, you have to decide what’s best for your vision for your wedding day images before you hire anyone! So be sure to look through portfolios carefully, so you know exactly what kind of photos will be delivered for your big day!
Research photographers in your area.
Research your local photographers. The best place to start is with Google, searching “wedding photographers + [city]” and “wedding photographer + [state].” If you live in a small town where the photographer may not be as well-known, you can search for local venues and request information on their preferred vendors’ list.
Be sure to ask about the photographer’s experience shooting at your venue if it’s somewhere they haven’t worked before. A skilled professional will draw from past work to suggest how best to get those dreamy, picturesque shots from your venue, even if they’ve never shot there before.
Read reviews and check out the photographer’s portfolio.
Before you even contact your shortlist of potential photographers, it’s a good idea to read reviews. For example, if your photographer works mainly in one location, look for reviews from people who got married. They’ll be able to tell you how the photographer did on their big day and if they think they’re worth hiring (or not).
Make sure their portfolio suits your style. Every photographer has a particular shooting style, so make sure this fits the type of wedding photography you want for your big day. For example, hiring someone whose work is primarily dark and brooding is not much use if you wish to have light and airy images! Also, check out the whole portfolio — don’t just look at the highlights reel. These will tend to show only their very best shots; take a look at more average photos, too, so you get a better feel for what they can do.
Make sure the photographer is available on your date by checking their schedule before getting in touch with them!
Decide if you want to hire a second shooter.
Suppose you decide to hire a second shooter. In that case, that person can:
- Photograph different angles and moments.
- Help the main photographer with lighting and reflectors.
- Keep your guests’ company while they wait for their turn in the family photo lineup.
- Capture candid moments you may miss as the bride or groom.
Ask about pricing and availability.
- Ask about pricing and availability. You can do this by visiting the photographer’s website, scrolling through their portfolio, calling them on the phone, emailing them, or even visiting their studio. Make sure your photographer is available on your wedding day, and if not—can they recommend an associate? Are you planning a destination wedding? Make sure that the photographer is willing to travel. If it’s essential to have as many of your loved ones at the ceremony as possible, consider hiring a local photographer who can give you discounts on travel expenses for her team. Ask if they have other packages you might be interested in (engagement photos, boudoir session).
Schedule an interview and meet with the photographer in person.
A great way to get to know a potential photographer and their work is by meeting with them in person. During your meeting, you’ll have the chance to look through their portfolio, discuss the vision of your wedding day, and ask questions about how they work with couples. It’s also essential to ensure that this photographer is a good fit for you and the people involved in your wedding. For example, if certain physical limitations at your venue may affect how the photographer does his job, he should be aware of them before signing any agreements. If you want someone who will help guide you through each step of the process, it’s essential that they can do so as well. Communicate if you want someone more hands-off and unobtrusive during your big day! Your photographer should always be comfortable with these details because they will affect how they work on your wedding day.
Additionally, it’s essential to choose a photographer whose personality meshes well with yours; after all, they’ll spend much of their time around close family members and friends on what can sometimes feel like an intimate occasion (even when it’s not!). This is why ensuring everyone gets along is yet another critical detail when choosing photographers for weddings–it might seem like something small at first glance. Still, it ultimately has significant implications in terms of overall satisfaction!
Determine how long the photographer will be available on your wedding day.
While the photographer is essential to your wedding, you should consider what you need to be covered on your big day before committing to a package. Some photographers will include a set amount of hours in their packages, whereas others give coverage that’s broken up into two or more chunks (like “six hours of coverage” and “four hours of coverage”). Be sure to ask how many hours of coverage are included in the price, so everything is clear later.
Inquire about when the photographer will come and go. For example, do they stay until all dancing is done at the reception? Do they leave once dinner has been served, or speeches are over? How long after the wedding do they typically take to send photos back to you? These are all things to keep in mind.
Make sure that you know how long after receiving all images from your photographer that they will be available for help with your photo book or album. This is important because if you have a huge problem with something and can’t decide between two shots, it’s good to have someone who can help expedite rather than having a year-long standoff over which picture should go where!
Ask how the photographer edits photos and determine if this suits your aesthetic style.
Ask to see a sample edit. Most photographers will provide a full gallery of images from the event, but asking for unedited photos is helpful. This way, you can get a feel for how they shoot and how their editing style might affect the overall look of your photography. It may not be the most crucial factor in choosing a photographer, but it is usually worth considering. The bottom line: make sure you are on the same page with your photographer regarding artistic vision! If you’re looking for something dreamy and airy, but they only shoot bright and saturated—it’s best to find someone else.
Discuss precisely what’s included in your package.
If you’re curious about the package from a particular photographer and their website needs more information, reach out and ask. You should be able to get answers to these questions:
- How many hours of coverage does your package include?
- Are there any travel fees?
- How many photographers will be working with me on my wedding day?
- Will you shoot in color or black and white (or both)?
- The number of pictures you can expect. Some photographers give you access to all the photos they take, while others only provide you with their favorite images. Either way, make sure this is clear before signing a contract. Also, pay attention to how long the photographs will take to deliver. If it’s going to take longer than six months, keep looking!
- Reality Wedding Budget vs Average?
- What deliverables will you receive?
Have an official contract drawn up, so you can avoid surprises later.
Once you’ve narrowed your list to that one perfect photographer, it’s time to draft an official contract. This will help avoid any surprises once the wedding is underway, so be sure to go over all the details together.
- Make sure all costs and fees are included in writing. This should consist of their hourly rate, travel expenses, and any extra charges that may come up along the way (like overtime or session add-ons). It’s also important to note how many hours they’ll be on site for your wedding shoot, including pre-wedding preparations and reception coverage.
- Understand their cancellation policy before signing anything. If you end up canceling your contract for some reason—or if your photographer has an emergency—know what steps need to be taken to recoup any deposits or payments already made.
- Clarify how much is due upfront on the big day. How much will you owe as a down payment? Is this in addition to a deposit? When does that balance have to be paid off? Ask about payment options, too; some photographers may only accept cash or check payments, while others might offer digital payment systems like PayPal or Venmo.
Your wedding is one of the most significant events of your life, so make sure you have the perfect photographer to capture it!
Your wedding is one of the most significant events of your life, so make sure you have the perfect photographer to capture it! There are many options out there, but here are some things to keep in mind as you decide which photographer will work with you and your partner for the big day:
- Make sure to make a decision based on price. Wedding photography pricing varies widely, and what may seem like a great deal at first glance could end up not being worth it down the line.
- Ask for an itemized list of all costs and fees. Some photographers charge travel fees or additional fees for weddings that last beyond a certain number of hours. Make sure you know well ahead of time whether these apply to you and your partner—ideally before signing any contracts or paying deposits!
- Confirm that the photographer will be available on your desired date(s). Things happen at weddings that can cause people to be late or unable to attend entirely (such as illness), so don’t take it personally if this happens! Just make sure they can send someone else in their place if necessary.
Stephanie April Photography, LLC is a Documentary Wedding Photography Studio that believes in {Capture} Raw Emotions between Soulmates! Are you recently engaged? Congratulations! If you are looking for a bold and moody engagement + wedding photographer for your upcoming wedding, inquire Today! Contact us today to schedule your complimentary consultation to review pricing and products.
For every first wedding booked monthly, they will get an upgraded wedding album.