Choosing a Wedding Photographer
When planning a wedding, how to choose a wedding photographer isn’t usually something most couples give much thought to. But it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make!
In this post, I’ll show you what to look for in a wedding photographer. I’ll also give you some helpful questions to ask a photographer to find out if they are the right fit for your wedding.
What questions should I ask my wedding photographer?
Every wedding photographer has their own way of doing things and you should be aware of what to expect before you sign a contract. It’s not safe to assume that one photographer has the same social media policy as the last photographer you spoke to. We’ve all had different experiences and training, so be sure to clarify your most important questions before signing anything.
Here are a few questions that I recommend asking your photographer. I’ve also included my own answers so you can get and idea of the types of responses you can expect.
Ask your photographer…
How Do You Know If A Photographer Is A Professional?
You don’t want to risk hiring an inexperienced photographer for your wedding, but sometimes, it’s hard to know! There are a few ways to tell is a photographer is experienced or not.
- Ask the questions above. If they have satisfactory answers, they will likely do a good job for you.
- Ask about insurance. New photographers often forget about carrying business insurance until it’s too late.
- Meet in person or via video. You’ll get a great sense of their professionalism and experience when you can see them face to face.
- Check their website. Sparse content and not enough variety is a red flag for a wedding photographer. It often means that they haven’t photographed many weddings.
Why Does Experience Matter?
It’s no secret, wedding photography is tough. Most photographers choose not to photograph weddings for various reasons. Experienced photographers are still photographing weddings because they love it!
In wedding photography, experience is everything. Inexperienced photographers may miss important moments or forget key photos. Experienced photographers have learned how to look for the moments that you’ll want to remember. They know the general flow of a wedding and can easily adjust their work flow based on the needs of each specific wedding. Professionals know the right questions to ask to make sure they are getting the most important photos at the right time.
Experienced photographers can easily deal with the multitude of different personalities present at each wedding and can make your guests feel just as special as the bride and groom, without taking anything away from the happy couple and their wedding experience. These skills can take years to master and are an invaluable asset to any wedding.
What Photography Style Is Best?
This is a common question among couples and for good reason. Most people don’t need to consider what style pf photography they like best and they usually aren’t even aware of the different styles.
Here’s the thing…styles come and go. They change over time. This isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, but is something to think about when choosing a wedding photographer.
Personally, I like true-to-life images that are slightly on the brighter side. This is a more traditional approach. Some photographers like the “dark and moody” style and some like the “light and airy” style. Both are beautiful, but very different from each other. If you are drawn to a certain style, stick with what you like. Keep in mind, however, that the style you choose may be wildly out of style in a few decades. If that doesn’t bother you in the least, then you’ve got nothing to worry about.
Just be sure to choose a photographer that has a portfolio full of images in the SAME style. If their portfolio is full of different styles, they likely haven’t found what works best for them yet and your wedding photos will reflect that. You may end up with several different editing styles within the same gallery, which won’t make your wedding photos flow very well.
Character Traits To Look For In A Wedding Photographer
See a real wedding at the Santa Barbara Courthouse
This beautiful elopement was at the Santa Barbara Courthouse.
Visit Spanish Oaks Ranch
If you’re looking for a wedding venue, I highly recommend Spanish Oaks Ranch. See more on their website!
Wedding Photos List
Must have wedding photos list and other ideas to help with your wedding planning.