6 steps to choosing a wedding photographer
6 steps to choosing a wedding photographer
After the dress is worn, the flowers die, the food is eaten, and the guests leave, the photographs are the only thing left to document your wedding day. Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most difficult wedding decisions because you cannot see the photographs you are buying until you have already made the decision. This article will help you choose the best photographer to ensure you get the wedding photos you want.
1. Price. Choosing a photographer based on price may not be the smartest decision. The price of a photographer not only reflects the quality of their work (in general), but also reflects how that photographer values ​​their own work. You may be able to find a photographer that advertises weddings for $ 299, but do you really think the photographer places great value on artistic quality? Do you really think they will spend hours selecting, classifying, editing and retouching your wedding images? Most likely they will film and burn directly to disc because, frankly, they don't get paid enough. Do you feel that you will get beautiful photos of yourself and your spouse for the rest of your life, to show your children and grandchildren? When it comes to wedding photography, you get what you pay for.
Note: Just because you're on a lower budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your wedding photographer. Before you go to ask your cousin's boyfriend to film the wedding (because he has a nice camera), you should know this; There are many new wedding photographers who may be very talented, but they don't have a lot of wedding experience. This doesn't mean they are horrible photographers, it just means that they haven't shot many weddings. Because of this, you may be able to get reduced prices, sometimes called "portfolio building" discounts or "introductory" prices, and so on. It can be difficult to find these photographers because they may not appear in search engines yet, as their websites may be new. So, you will have to do some research.
2. Do some research: Ask your friends and family for references. People who love their wedding photos love to talk about their photographer! Look on the Internet. Go back several pages, don't just look at the first page of search results. Check the lists of professional organizations such as PPA - Professional Photographers of America or WPPI - Wedding & Portrait Photographers International.
3. Make a List - Once you've found 5-10 photographers you like, make a list. Go to each photographer's website and thoroughly review their portfolio. I can't stress enough; The photos you see in the photographer's portfolio are the same types of photos you will have from your wedding. How to know if the photographer is good? Follow these guidelines:
Are the images too light? Too dark? If some images are too light and some are too dark, or if they appear all over the place, that could indicate inconsistent quality.
What are the photographer's Photoshop skills like? Do the photos look "Photoshopped"? Do you see a lot of plastic-looking skin or alien eyes? A good rule of thumb to follow; If you can't tell that the images are made with Photoshop, then the photographer has excellent Photoshop skills. It's like makeup - the best makeup is the one that doesn't look like you're wearing makeup at all.
Are you emotionally moved by the photographer's images? Do they make you stop and look? Gasp? Do you feel a connection with the images? This is the most important aspect of choosing a wedding photographer. You can spend all the money in the world on the most famous photographer, but if you don't feel a connection to their images, chances are you won't love your wedding photos.
4. Check Availability - After you've narrowed down the list, email or call your top 5 photographers. Check if each photographer is available on your wedding date and get a quote or estimate. Emailing or calling each photographer will also give you a little insight into their personality. More on that later.