How to choose your wedding photographer?
1.Set up a budget (for wedding, and vendors).
Budgeting is the most valuable part of choosing the right photographer for your wedding. In fact, that's where it all begin and, for some, that's where it also finish. Believe me: it doesn't matter if you want the work of a photographer that charges $3,500.00 per wedding if you can only afford to pay $2,000.00. But also keep in mind that once the wedding is done, the photos and videos are the only archive of this important milestone in your life. Being an one shot deal with no undo button, choosing the right wedding photographer will be largely a matter of faith. In the end, although price may be a very important factor, paying a little more makes a lot of sense when you believe that there are no second chances.
2. Get referrals and make a catalog of photographers.
Good wedding photographers have a reputation of success, and therefore are relatively well known. They not only should be not difficult to find but they usually get recommended both by their creation and by your friends and relatives that hired them and are happy with their work. So, start your research for the the right photographer by asking for recommendations from friends and family who have held weddings prior to your happening. Look at their wedding albums and ask yourself and them as many question as you need to get a better sense of that photographer's work. Do you enjoy the photos and albums? Is there detail in the bride's gown and cake or are they too bright and washed out from an overexposed shot? Would you want that wedding album as your own? Then, if you like what you see, get the photographer's info and call for for second opinions. Make sure to have at least a few names down since really expert photographers are usually booked months in advance.
3. Check out their work on their websites.
Good photographers usually present plenty of their late work online including full weddings - you will save time by pre-qualifying photographers who have extensive online portfolio for possible connection. Once you have an inventory of photographers from which to pick, visiting their web sites will make your life easier because you can find out which photographer will meet your budget as well as your needs. Take time to inspect each photographer's website and carefully review his or her portfolio. Try to weigh on photos and not on website design. Most importantly, look upon how well they perform in distinct environments and shortlist those photographers whose output looks pleasant to you.
4. Make phone calls..
Go down your checklist and call or email each photographer. You would be surprised how useful that first contact is. A fast phone call or short email will give you a number of key pieces of information. You can inquire about the photographer's availability on your union day or about type of photography specialties, such as candid, traditional, photojournalism, combination. Most importantly, you can get a pretty good idea as to how much they'll charge you and what you'll receive for that price. Last but not least, you will find out a bit more about the photographer's personality. Keep in mind, this person will be an elemental part of the most important day of your life, so be sure you choose someone you feel relaxed and comfortable with.
5. Set up consultation .
After stripping your selection of wedding photographers down to at least three, after visiting their website and phone interviews, make appointments to talk to each photographer. It's best to meet them on a week day or Sunday if you work during the week since they are usually busy during the weekend. When you meet them, inquiry to see samples of past work, including various wedding albums they have made from past weddings. Ask them how they deal with wedding guests trying to take pictures while they are posing the wedding party. Ask them how they handle the difficult situations, if they arise. The more questions you call upon up front, the more certain and relaxed you'll feel on and after your wedding day.
6. Get all your questions answered.
Make sure you see at least one album of an entire wedding, from start to finish. After examining all of the photographer's work closely, request to see another set of photographs from a recent wedding. Don't be shy and speak your mind. Pay attention to the photographer's ability to capture the emotion of the day. Make sure you find out if this photographer is fully insured, if they carry backup equipment, or if there's an option for a second photographer (if you think you may need one). Also, find out what part of your wedding day will be covered and how many hours you have with your photographer.
7. Sign the contract.
Once you have decided on your preferred photographer, make sure you hire him/her as early as possible. Even if there are plenty to choose from, you'll find they get booked up very quickly, especially for weekend or summertime weddings. While you want to make sure you book your photographer for the date of your wedding immediately, make sure you read over the legal details of exactly what you will get before signing the contract. Make sure that the photographer you want is the photographer you will get at your wedding since some larger companies may switch photographers in the last minute. This means communicating with the photographer about the specifics of the event, when and where the ceremony will be held as well as the soiree and what types of photographs you want. Make sure you reconfirm with your photographer every once in a while and keep him/her informed about any time and place changes.
Budgeting is the most valuable part of choosing the right photographer for your wedding. In fact, that's where it all begin and, for some, that's where it also finish. Believe me: it doesn't matter if you want the work of a photographer that charges $3,500.00 per wedding if you can only afford to pay $2,000.00. But also keep in mind that once the wedding is done, the photos and videos are the only archive of this important milestone in your life. Being an one shot deal with no undo button, choosing the right wedding photographer will be largely a matter of faith. In the end, although price may be a very important factor, paying a little more makes a lot of sense when you believe that there are no second chances.
2. Get referrals and make a catalog of photographers.
Good wedding photographers have a reputation of success, and therefore are relatively well known. They not only should be not difficult to find but they usually get recommended both by their creation and by your friends and relatives that hired them and are happy with their work. So, start your research for the the right photographer by asking for recommendations from friends and family who have held weddings prior to your happening. Look at their wedding albums and ask yourself and them as many question as you need to get a better sense of that photographer's work. Do you enjoy the photos and albums? Is there detail in the bride's gown and cake or are they too bright and washed out from an overexposed shot? Would you want that wedding album as your own? Then, if you like what you see, get the photographer's info and call for for second opinions. Make sure to have at least a few names down since really expert photographers are usually booked months in advance.
3. Check out their work on their websites.
Good photographers usually present plenty of their late work online including full weddings - you will save time by pre-qualifying photographers who have extensive online portfolio for possible connection. Once you have an inventory of photographers from which to pick, visiting their web sites will make your life easier because you can find out which photographer will meet your budget as well as your needs. Take time to inspect each photographer's website and carefully review his or her portfolio. Try to weigh on photos and not on website design. Most importantly, look upon how well they perform in distinct environments and shortlist those photographers whose output looks pleasant to you.
4. Make phone calls..
Go down your checklist and call or email each photographer. You would be surprised how useful that first contact is. A fast phone call or short email will give you a number of key pieces of information. You can inquire about the photographer's availability on your union day or about type of photography specialties, such as candid, traditional, photojournalism, combination. Most importantly, you can get a pretty good idea as to how much they'll charge you and what you'll receive for that price. Last but not least, you will find out a bit more about the photographer's personality. Keep in mind, this person will be an elemental part of the most important day of your life, so be sure you choose someone you feel relaxed and comfortable with.
5. Set up consultation .
After stripping your selection of wedding photographers down to at least three, after visiting their website and phone interviews, make appointments to talk to each photographer. It's best to meet them on a week day or Sunday if you work during the week since they are usually busy during the weekend. When you meet them, inquiry to see samples of past work, including various wedding albums they have made from past weddings. Ask them how they deal with wedding guests trying to take pictures while they are posing the wedding party. Ask them how they handle the difficult situations, if they arise. The more questions you call upon up front, the more certain and relaxed you'll feel on and after your wedding day.
6. Get all your questions answered.
Make sure you see at least one album of an entire wedding, from start to finish. After examining all of the photographer's work closely, request to see another set of photographs from a recent wedding. Don't be shy and speak your mind. Pay attention to the photographer's ability to capture the emotion of the day. Make sure you find out if this photographer is fully insured, if they carry backup equipment, or if there's an option for a second photographer (if you think you may need one). Also, find out what part of your wedding day will be covered and how many hours you have with your photographer.
7. Sign the contract.
Once you have decided on your preferred photographer, make sure you hire him/her as early as possible. Even if there are plenty to choose from, you'll find they get booked up very quickly, especially for weekend or summertime weddings. While you want to make sure you book your photographer for the date of your wedding immediately, make sure you read over the legal details of exactly what you will get before signing the contract. Make sure that the photographer you want is the photographer you will get at your wedding since some larger companies may switch photographers in the last minute. This means communicating with the photographer about the specifics of the event, when and where the ceremony will be held as well as the soiree and what types of photographs you want. Make sure you reconfirm with your photographer every once in a while and keep him/her informed about any time and place changes.
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