I’ve heard over and over that one of the most important things you choose when getting married (other than your spouse) is your photographer. I’ve talked to people who have loved their wedding photos, and those who nearly cry every time they see them because they hate them so badly. I don’t think anyone wants to be in that last boat.
Even when the photos turn out well, you may experience frustration with the photographer’s schedule, policies, or other quirks. There’s a lot to think about before your big day. So when you’re choosing your photographer, here are a few things you should keep in mind.
First, look at their portfolio. I can’t stress this enough. If you don’t love what they’ve done before, keep looking. Every photographer has their own style and you really want your style to be reflected in theirs. It doesn’t mean that they’re a bad photographer, it just means you’ll be happier with someone else.
Don’t let anyone else choose your photographer. This happened to my sister. Her mother-in-law was local and offered to choose the photographer. It was a sweet offer, but when the day of the wedding came, my sister was profoundly disappointed with the quality of the shots and with the style. She doesn’t have any photos of her wedding on display because she doesn’t like them, and it makes her a little sad sometimes. Luckily, she had found a fabulous photographer to take engagement photos, so she displays these instead. And when you look at them and at my sister, you can see that they’re just her style.
You’ll also want to choose a photographer that you can see yourself working with easily. You’ll be coordinating schedules, payments, and contracts with this person, so any doubts about them or their studio should be addressed up front. If you’re irritated during the shoot, this may come out in your photos. Many photographers will do an interview with you before you sign a contract so you can meet, talk about what you’re looking for, and get a feel for each other. This is a great time to ask all those questions you may have. If you don’t like the answers or the mannerisms of the photographer, you’re better off looking elsewhere.
Related Blogs:
Wedding Photography–What Do You Want?