Today is one of the most important days of your life. Okay, so maybe that’s not completely true, but what you’re about to read is vital to a big day! If your wedding is in the next 12 months, it’s time to look at options for a wedding photographer.
Yes, that’s right — wedding experts agree that a photographer search should start within a year of the ceremony. It’s no wonder why. There’s a certain level of trust you build with your photographer. Undoubtedly, you want to feel confident that photos are going to perfectly capture the joy you and your family want to remember forever.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place for advice! When you begin photographer research, keep these tips in mind.
Ask for Recommendations
You probably already have a goldmine of resources all around you. If you have friends who have exchanged nuptials in the past, ask them about their photographer. Given you’re friends with them, you all must have some tastes in common!
Also, if you have vendors for other services (i.e. your caterer or florist), find out who they’ve worked with before.
Check Out Portfolios and Social Media
Most likely, every potential wedding photographer is going to have a printed and/or online portfolio. Thoroughly review this!
Furthermore, many artists use social media platforms to display projects. Take a look at what they’re posting. These social sites may also provide reviews from previous customers. Checking out profiles and reviews is an easy way to gather some initial intel before calls and meetings.
Additionally, whether you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Dallas or elsewhere, Junebug Weddings has access to some of the best professionals in the business. It’s a cinch to view portfolios and connect with prospects.
Find a Style and Personality That Matches Yours
No surprise here, right? You should appreciate the overarching style of work (i.e. candid or posed photos). And, getting along with the photographer is key. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with them. Make sure to set up a meeting and have conversations about your vision. They should be able to tell you how they can make it a reality.
Moreover, outside of a personal connection, there are some general traits you may want to see in your wedding photographer:
- Truly passionate about the work
- Good at time management
- Good with people
- Ability to take creative initiative while also accepting suggestions/direction
Request A Full Gallery
Chances are, a portfolio or social profile is going to show photos handpicked by the artist. In addition to reviewing the portfolio, ask to see a full gallery of all the shots from a wedding. This provides better insight into what kind of eye, focus, and skill the photographer has. Besides general style, it should reveal how adept they are at lighting and professional photography equipment.
Understand Pricing
Many factors can affect cost. There are a few questions to consider: Are there multiple photographers involved? Is there a charge for extra hours? Does it cost more to get the highest-resolution photos? Can you request a copy of the RAW files? Prior to making a decision, you want to be clear about what is actually included in the quote you receive.
Be Clear About Timeline
It’s smart to be upfront about turnaround expectations. In some situations, a photographer can take six months to edit photos; it depends on what products you’re looking for (i.e. a full wedding album and/or large-format prints). If you’re not keen on long timelines, think about hiring someone with a history of processing quality work around your preferred schedule.
And with that last tip, we’ll wish you a beautiful wedding and a lifetime of wonderful memories!
If you have questions about connecting with a wedding photographer, reach out to us!