If you’re looking for the best wedding photographer, you might feel overwhelmed when searching through countless insta accounts and portfolios. How do you really know who the best fit is if there are so many talented creatives to choose from? The truth is, hiring a photographer is deeply personal. Your photographer plays a uniquely important role on your wedding day… and it’s not just delivering gorgeous photos.
A photographers role is not small
Not only are we communicating with you months (sometimes years) before your wedding day, we are the one vendor that is a constant the day of. We spend the entire day with you – from getting ready to the last dance. Every vulnerable and intimate moment you have on your wedding day, we are standing right alongside you. But what does this actually mean for you? It means you have an important task ahead of you when choosing your wedding photographer.
You’ll want someone that you feel comfortable around and that is easy to communicate with. Someone that you trust to mesh well with your family/friends and that will be an encouraging and grounding presence when things inevitably feel stressful. So how do you actually find the right photographer for you? Research, connect, and visualize.
Do your research
Search for your photographer on Instagram. This is a really low effort (and fun) way to find out more about your potential wedding vendors. Not only will you get an idea of their work, most photographers will have highlights you can browse through to learn more about what they offer. From personal stories to helpful tips to BTS, you can learn a lot from a quick insta search. Do a deep dive and see if you can find any videos of them talking or working with their couples. You’ll hopefully be able to tell what is important to them, what their style is, their level of confidence etc. Can you see yourself spending an entire day with this person? This is a great starting point. The second step is to read reviews. This is arguably the most important step before hiring your photographer. If you want someone reputable and with experience you have the ultimate tool at your disposal – reviews. See what actual clients have to say about working with this person and know that most people do not bother to leave reviews unless they have an extraordinary experience. Reviews are gold.
Connect – Don’t skip the consultation
I understand not everyone has the time to meet in person or hop on a Google Meet call… but there’s a reason photographers offer consultations. Getting the chance to meet your photographer in person (or over video) before you hire them is actually a huge bonus – don’t sleep on this! You can really quickly get a good read on whether or not this person will fit in seamlessly alongside you on your wedding day. Do you like their energy? Are they confident and able to answer all of your questions? Are they taking their time with your meeting and engaging in a genuine way? Is their personality one that will add to the calm and joy of your day?
There is so much information you can gain from a quick 30 minute call. It’s also extremely helpful for the photographer too. We are also gaining important cues and information from you. I am completely invested in making sure I’m a good fit for my couples too. I do not just take every client that inquires. If I feel someone else (personality wise or other) would be a better fit for you, I will let you know.
Visualize
This one is pretty self explanatory. Visualize your day. Who is there with you? What do you want to feel? Now put everything you’ve learned about your photographer into that space. Are they the best choice for lending to the environment you’re hoping to create?
10 Questions to ask your potential wedding photographer
- What is your posing style/how much direction do you give?
- What is it like working with you on a wedding day?
- Do you bring a second shooter?
- In case of an emergency, do you have a backup plan?
- Do you allow guests to take photos during the wedding day? *Some photogs are very strict about this one. Make sure you agree with their policy*
- Is there an additional travel fee to be aware of?
- What does the booking process look like?
- Does your gear support dual card slots? *this means your photos are being stored on two cards instead of one*
- What packages do you offer?
- Are you comfortable shooting in all lighting conditions? *Make sure your photographer is experienced working in all lighting conditions and will be prepared with additional lighting if necessary*
Last but not least
Choosing a photographer does not have to be overwhelming. Start with your top 3 and interview them all. If you don’t have time for three separate interviews, do your instagram sleuthing and narrow it down to one or two. Trust your gut and enjoy the process! As always, I love being a resource for couples planning their weddings. Always always always love when people reach out and connect so ask away! Xx!
Incredibly Talented Vendors included in the photos posted:
Planning + Styling: Taryn Nancy Photo & Wrong Number Floral
Floral Design: Wrong Number Floral
Hair + Makeup: Alyssa Underwood Makeup
Veil: In September
Desserts: Tiny Bakery
Stationery: Souvenir Flowers
Venue: Bowline Hotel
Rentals: Oregon Elevated Events
Flatlay Details: Flat Lay Library
Models: @samiwelday_ + @k_layyte
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