How To Choose a Good Wedding Photographer

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A holiday (a wedding or some other event) passes incredibly quickly and you may want to remember it for a very long time. That’s why people take photos and videos of such events. But if a birthday, for example, is repeated every year, and bad photos can not greatly spoil the mood and you will find another photographer next time, in the case of a wedding, a bad choice will become an annoying mistake and spoiled memory. In this article. We will tell you how to choose a good wedding photographer. 

Before choosing

The choice of photographers is very large and it is very easy to get lost in all the variety of specialists. Therefore, before proceeding with the choice of your wedding photographer, it makes sense to decide what exactly you like, or rather the style of photography. It will be much easier for you to navigate the numerous names and recommendations if you clearly understand which genre or style attracts you. It is also useful to visit wedding blogs and Pinterest before choosing a photographer. This will give you a general idea of what is important to you in wedding photography.

Portfolio

Each specialist has a portfolio and it becomes the first stage in the choice of any professional since it is the "face", business card, and presentation of a photographer. When looking at a portfolio, you will get an impression of how the photographer works with light, color, composition, etc. What should you pay special attention to? The site should feature several different series from weddings. Stylized shoots only give a cursory glimpse of how the chosen photographer works. You are looking for a professional, which means there should be both a creative and a commercial portfolio.

As you thumb through the stories of couples, try to imagine yourself in their place. Do you like the atmosphere that the photographer conveyed? And what about portraits? Would you like to imagine such photos? By answering these questions, it will be easier for you to make a decision in choosing a specialist. A website with a portfolio is a must for a photographer. There you can see the full series of weddings and learn more about the photographer, for example, from the blog. 

The most obvious advice when choosing a photographer is the most correct one. You need to choose with your eyes, evaluating both individual wow frames and series from the entire wedding. You should be alerted if the photos taken during the dinner or ceremony are very different from the staged moments of the morning gatherings and walks, or are not included in the portfolio at all.

Website

The site is a visiting card of a specialist, where not only the portfolio is located, but also all the necessary information about how the photographer works, where, and under what conditions. The site should be pleasing to the eye and understandable because this is a kind of first acquaintance with your potential photographer. 

It's good if there are prices on the site, so you are guaranteed to avoid price increases when you meet. At the same time, you should understand that a popular and skilled wedding photographer can never be cheap since the cost of work grows in proportion to the experience. Therefore, 50% discounts and great bonuses should alarm you.

The cost description usually includes what you will receive after cooperation. This greatly saves time in making a decision. After learning about the site, it would be better to read reviews about the photographer. Reviews of brides will help you in deciding on cooperation. Usually, they describe the whole process of working with a photographer, what they liked, and what they didn’t.

A meeting

When choosing any specialist, the first meeting is very important and is the stage that largely decides whether you will work together or not. In the case of a photographer, this is no less important than with any other professional, because this is the person who will not only have to be with you all day but also capture this day the way you would like to remember it. Thus, a meeting with a photographer will give you an idea of whether you like the person, whether you are on the same wavelength with him or her, and whether there is a complete understanding of what exactly you need.

The human factor is the second most important part when choosing a photographer. After all, you have to spend the whole day with the photographer. Easy and pleasant communication will definitely beautify the filming process. Take the time to meet in person. Awards and work abroad definitely speak of professionalism, but they are not a requirement. 

A wedding is about love, and not only within the couple but also with all the participants in the process. Pay attention to what time the specialist comes and how he or she looks. Is it pleasant for you to communicate with him or her? This is a very important part since the photographer spends all day next to you and you should be comfortable. You can also prepare references (pictures that you like). This will help the photographer suggest specific locations and plan the day.

Contract

If all the previous stages have been passed successfully and you have decided on a candidate, then it is time to conclude an agreement. This is a necessary procedure because the professional who respects their client and the work will not start fulfilling an order without a contract. So, what clauses should be in the contract? The important aspects of the contract are the timing of shooting and processing of photos, the photographer's remuneration, working conditions, copyright (the photographer, as the creator of the intellectual property, has all rights to it).

The contract is insurance for both parties, so all contact details must be filled in. Also, there must be a prepayment, the amount of which depends on the photographer (from 10 to 50% of the total amount). If they ask you 100% at once or don’t take money from you at all, then this should alert you. The prepayment must cover possible expenses and the lost day if the shooting doesn’t take place.

The bottom line

Summing up, we get a simple formula. Decide on the style of wedding photography, after that it will be more convenient to find a photographer for the style you need. Next, determine the budget that works best for you. Make a selection of the photographers you are interested in and hold a meeting with each one (always together with your future spouse, since the photographer should get to know both of you, and this will also be useful for you). Ask questions, compare their answers, and make your choice. If all points agree, you like the photographer both as a person and as a professional, and according to the terms, everything suits you, then you can safely sign an agreement.