I previously went over a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you choose a wedding photographer, and this topic is so important that I thought it would be worth a little more attention.
One of the more obvious things to check on when choosing a photographer is price. You should have an established budget for what you’re willing to pay for wedding photos. This obviously depends on what you want, but it could range from very little to the most expensive item you plan for. I’ve known people who have done both extremes and many somewhere in the middle. You just need to determine how important the photos are to you and where you want your budget to go. Then once you’ve done this, you’re ready to find a photographer that fits your needs and your budget.
If you go to bridal shows or photography studios, you’ve seen some pretty incredible
wedding packages on display. There’s everything from announcements, save the date cards, bridals, multiple locations, digital images, and videos available to choose from. While you instinctively want every moment and every thought captured on your wedding day (and in the days leading up to this time), you once again have to make some decisions. What package are you going to choose?
My recommendation is to choose the package that best fits your goals. Some people only want one time, one location, and a few prints while others want everything under the sun (and are willing to pay for it). I knew I wouldn’t watch a video of myself, so I opted out of packages that included the video (which saved a lot of money).
However, I also knew that I wanted the digital images. Having the rights to them so I can use them over and over has been a great thing for me as I’ve done photo books and digital scrapbooking with them. This cost a little more (because you’re paying for the rights as well as the photos), but to me it was worth it. And you may find that some photographers add this perk to their packages at no extra cost. It all depends on the photographer and the packages they offer. Choose what works for you, and you’ll be happy.