A lot of couples are getting engaged this time of year and it’s very exciting. After you’ve picked the date and maybe the venue, the next big thing to choose is your wedding photographer. I also know that there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the perfect person to document your day.
How much do they charge? While everyone seems to put this as a first priority, getting the cheapest price out there is not necessarily the best choice. There’s an old saying that you get what you pay for and that really is true. A lot of new photographers that are just starting out will have lower prices than a veteran photographer. Keep this in mind when price comparing. If that’s what you’re looking for, than that’s great, but don’t rule out a photographer that you really like because of the price.
What is your vision for your wedding photography? It’s important to think about the role that your photos will have in your wedding day and afterwards. If getting great quality photos and portraits of you, your wedding party, your family is important to you then you want to make sure that you choose a person who has the same vision of your day.
Do they match your personality? You will be spending a large portion of your day with your photographer and they will be guiding ang directing you, your friends and family all day. You want to make sure that you hire someone that you like as a person and trust as a guide for your day.
Do they have similar interests? Why is this important? Say you are having a cool Harry Potter themed wedding and you hire a muggle photographer. They won’t have any idea what’s so important about the little details you so worked so hard to prepare such as the sorting hat that tells everyone the table in which they are seated or the replica Hogwarts cake you chose. When you are having a cool Harry Potter wedding and you ask your photographer what house they are in, their response should be something like, “I’m a Ravenclaw but I have a lot of Hufflepuff in me too.” Then you know they are the right person for your wedding.
What is their photography style? There are lots of different styles of photography from light and airy to dark and moody and everything in between. When considering a photographer, you want to make sure their portfolio has a consistent style and that the style of their editing matches the idea you had for your day. Take time to look through their work and see what their style is like and make sure it matches what you’re expecting. If you don’t know what style you like, take a look at several different photographers in the area to get a sense of what you like and don’t like. You can also ask them if they also verse in wedding videography so you can get it as a bundle with your photos.
What is their turn around time? If you are a person that loves instant gratification and can’t wait for months to get your photos, then you want to ask this question up front. Every photographer has a defined turn around time that should be in their contract. If you can’t wait 2-4 months to get your photos back, then look for a photographer that has a shorter turn around time. Some photographers also provide previews or send out a blog with a few preview images before they deliver a full gallery. It’s important to find out what these timelines are ahead of time so you know what to expect.
Do they have a contract? This is important because it outlines all of the important imformation about timelines, expectations and pricing structure. It helps protect you and the photographer, so if they don’t have a contract you should be asking why not. I hope this helps you understand more about wedding photography and the important things to consider when looking for the perfect person to capture your day.
If you are in south Jersey or Central Jersey and love Star Wars, Harry Potter and all things nerdy, I’m your gal! I’d love to chat over coffee and get to know you better. Congratulations on your engagement and best of luck on your big day!