How To Choose Your Wedding Photographer
Congratulations on your engagement! Choosing a wedding photographer can definitely be overwhelming, but we never want the wedding planning process to be a chore for you to do! It may be hard to know what questions you should ask your potential wedding photographer, and how to determine which one is the perfect fit for you. Not only do you have to look at shooting and editing styles, but finding one whose personality works well with you is extreme important. Your wedding photographer will be there from the getting ready portion, all the way to when the dance floor starts to fill up at the reception, so its important to not only find a photographer who can capture all your moments, but make you feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the day.
Determine Your Budget
There are a few questions you need to figure out when determining your budget. How important is photography to you? How many hours of coverage are you looking for? Are there specific add-ons you’re looking for, like an engagement session or a second shooter? If photography is not high on your priority list or you do not have a big budget, there are many less experienced photographers who may fit your budget that you will be happy with. However, established photographers may cost more, but you will be paying for their wedding experience as well. Choosing an established photographer not only shows that they know what they’re doing, but it lets you not have to spend time worrying about them throughout the day.
Where Do You Find Wedding Photographers?
If you’ve had any friends or family members get married, ask them if they would recommend their photographer to you! The biggest uncertainty about choosing a wedding photographer is that you don’t have much prior experience with them. Asking your friends/family what their experience was with their photographer may help you make a decision about whether you want their photographer to shoot your wedding as well! Often times, wedding photographers may also give you a small discount if you were referred by a previous client of theirs.
However, if you haven’t had any friends or family recently married, or they weren’t satisfied with their photographer, you’ll have to go search for one yourself. The simplest way is simply googling for your “‘Your City’ Wedding Photographer” or “‘Your Province’ Wedding Photographer’ (ex. Toronto Wedding Photographer). From there, you will get a list of photographers in your location, where you can view their portfolio on their website. From there, reach out to potential photographers that you like via their contact form! Their Instagram is worth checking out as well, as that usually gives you a less formal insight of what content they post and their daily lives. Be sure to check their website or Google business as well to read reviews from real clients!
If you already have your venue secured, check out the venue’s website, or ask for a preferred vendors list. Having a photographer who has shot at your venue (although not necessary) can be a plus.
Things To Consider
Here are a few things to consider when sifting through a list of photographers to narrow down your list:
Portfolio
Although there are many other factors that determine if they are a good fit for you, having a great portfolio is a good first impression. Does their editing style fit what you envision? Do their edits showcase natural skin tones? Be sure to choose a photographer that can showcase a consistent style that you love!
Response
How long does it take to get a response from them after you inquire via their contact form? Having a good response time shows that the photographer cares about your experience, and will make it easier for you to ask questions later on (be sure to check your spam inbox, sometimes the photographer’s first email may get sent to spam). Equally as important, how personalized is their response, and what does their response look like? Although pricing is important, we do not believe in simply sending you a pricing guide for you to look at yourself. We always ask to set up a call, as customer experience and having personalities that work well together is just as important. We want to get to know you, hear your story, and share some of our own stories as well!
Personality
Like we mentioned before, having a good relationship with your photographer is important. You should feel connected with them in a way where you can share details with them, and feel comfortable asking questions if you need help with anything. They should also make you feel relaxed and comfortable, so that you can enjoy yourselves at your wedding.
Deliverables
What services does the photographer provide? Do they include engagement sessions or second shooters? How many photos will be delivered, and will you have to pay extra for them? Photographers will often have packages, but there is never a one-size-fits-all package. To that point, are there customizable packages to make sure your exact needs are fit?
Questions For The Meeting
Most photographers will ask you to set up a meeting, to get to know you and answer any questions you may have (red flag if they insist on not having a meeting!). We always ask for a video call, as we would love to meet you face to face while still trying to keep it convenient for you to meet us at the comfort of your own home. Here’s some important questions you should ask during the meeting!
What Is Your Shooting/Editing Style?
While you can get a general idea of the photographer’s shooting/editing style from their portfolio, asking them to give a general summary of their style can help you determine if its the right fit for you.
Do You Recommend A Second Shooter, and Are They A Part Of Your Team?
Depending on your wedding format (timeline, number of guests, etc), a second shooter may not be necessary. However, asking your photographer for their opinion can be helpful if you’re unsure. Adding a second shooter may also be an additional cost depending on their packages, so that may be an additional factor on whether you want a second shooter or not. If you are looking for a second shooter though, be sure to ask who the photographer usually works with. Some photographers will have other photographers as part of their team, while others may be finding second shooters off of Facebook. While that may not be a dealbreaker, making sure that your photographer knows and trusts their second shooter is definitely a plus.
How Many Photos Do You Deliver, and How Long Will It Take To Receive Them?
While it is impossible to give an exact number of images since every wedding is different, having an estimation will make you feel comfortable about what you are receiving in your gallery. The average is about 4-8 weeks, but it is always good to make sure what the photographer’s policy is. Be sure to ask if you have to pay for additional images, as some photographers may deliver a set amount for free but charge more for extras. Delivery time is also important, as having to wait a couple months for photos may definitely leave you feeling anxious/impatient. However, some photographers will also choose to send some sneak peeks to hold you over until the full gallery is ready to be delivered, so be sure to ask if they include sneak peeks if that is important to you!
Do You Have Any Additional Travel Fees
Depending on where your venue is located and how your schedule is planned out, travel cost can definitely add up. Letting the photographer know your schedule early on will let them give you a more accurate quote including travel fees, so you don’t get surprised later on when they charge you for travel.
What Is Your Deposit Policy?
Different photographers will have different deposit policies, so knowing early on what they require to hold your date is just good information to have.
Can We See A Full Gallery?
While photographers will have a portfolio gallery, that usually just consists of their best photos (and sometimes photos from set, stylized shoots). Asking for a full gallery will let you see what an example wedding gallery would look like, as well as their shooting and editing style.
We hope these tips have been helpful for you to choose a wedding photographer! We want to emphasize again that while choosing a photographer with a great portfolio is important, the client experience is what matters. The experience that the photographer provides for you will leave a lasting impression, equally as much as how great your wedding photos turn out!
If you’re looking for more tips, be sure to check out the rest of our wedding guides here!
