Weddings can become expensive if you don’t set a budget and have a list of priorities set aside before you start booking vendors.

 

I recommend first sitting down with your fiance and anyone else who maybe contributing to your big day.  Decide what items are most important to you as a couple.   Once you know what those items/services are…..set a limit for yourselves on the maximum amount you are willing to spend on those items.

 

 

 

 

 

Although Google searches are always a good start, I recommend reaching out to your network of friends.  Not all photographers will show up on the first two pages of a Google search.  Therefore reaching out to your network of friends can be immensely helpful in your search for not only photographers….but all wedding vendors.

 

When it comes to photographers….you will not only want to find a photographer who has a style you like….but one that has a reputation for professionalism.  The best way to find out what your experience with a photographer may be like is to ask your network of friends.  Start with those who have recently been married.  Ask them who they used as their photographer.  Don’t be afraid to ask those same friends if you can review their wedding albums.  You can also reach out on social media sites such as Facebook and twitter asking friends/followers who they recommend for photography services.

 

Also….don’t be afraid to ask the wedding vendors you already have hired.  I’m asked for references on caterers, cake makers and DJ”s all the time.  I’m always happy to recommend fellow vendors who I know provide a quality product to their customers.

 

 

After you’ve gathered your recommendations and searched for photographers online, you will want to start narrowing down your choices.

 

Determine which photographer will meet your budget as well as your specific needs.   You may be IN LOVE with a photographer’s online portfolio…..but if their starting price point is WAY out of your budget….there is no point in meeting with them.  With this said…wedding photography is an investment to last a life time.  If the photographer is only a little more expensive than you had anticipated to spend, it wouldn’t hurt to meet with them.  They may be worth the extra expense and in most cases you can always shave a little off your budget elsewhere if need be.

 

Review their online portfolios and  determine how well they appear to handle various environmental settings. For example, does their website only show outdoor weddings but your wedding will be in a church?  If so…..I suggest you look for other photographers who do show examples of indoor portraiture on their websites.  Why……because varying environmental situations require varying lighting equipment and skills.

 

 

After narrowing your selection of wedding photographers down to three photographers, make appointments to interview the candidates. Most likely, experienced photographers will have two or three wedding albums available for you to review. Make sure you see at least one album of an entire wedding, from start to finish. Why?  You want to make sure the photographer can photograph a number of beautiful images from your wedding day….not just one.

 

While reviewing each photographers work…. examine the basics of the pictures such as color, clarity, exposure, graininess and composition.  Ask yourself….do the images look sharp?  Are the images properly exposed?  Do the people in the portraits look to be posed in a natural/comfortable positions?

 

When it comes to equipment the photographer uses……your biggest concern really should be if the photographer has back up equipment. Your wedding is a once in a lifetime event.  If the photographer you hire only has one camera body and it happens to quit working on your wedding day…….you’re done with photos for the day.  Just remember, the camera itself is just a tool the photographer uses to achieve their vision. The camera does not create the photo…..the photographer does.  So if the photographer’s only has one tool and not an entire tool chest….you may be setting yourself up for a disaster.

Not all photographers are created equal.  Each of us has a genre we excel in more than others.  Some of us do exceptionally well with children’s portraiture while others thrive on the stress of a wedding day.  Although a photographer has been in the business for 10 years providing exceptional work……this does not mean he/she is up for the challenge of photographing a wedding.  Wedding photography “is it’s own animal”, the pressure and emotional energy of the day is not for everyone.

 

Experienced wedding photographers not only have the knowledge of how to photograph a wedding, but also how to act during the ceremony and reception. For example, how will he/she dress and how will they act around your wedding party and guests?  Plus….don’t forget, a wedding photographer’s charm and ability to put everyone at ease is just as important as their skills behind the camera.

 

With that said…..beautiful portraits of your family and guests are just as important as the portraits of the you and your fiance.  While reviewing portfolios…..don’t forget to look for examples of group portraiture.  Photos of your family and friends will be just as important to you a year or two down the road as the photos of you and your honey.

 

The photographer will be spending about as much time with you on your wedding day as anyone in your bridal party.  Ask yourself how well your personalities mesh?

 

 

 

After going through the interview process you should have a fairly strong feeling in which direction you’d like to go.  Whatever you do end up deciding…..it’s always a polite gesture to send those photographers you did not choose an email.  Thank them for their time and let them know you have decided to go another direction.  It’s a small gesture…but one much appreciated.