The old adage that "a picture is worth a thousand words" couldn't be more accurate regarding weddings. The wedding hair, dress, cuisine, and location are all essential, but they won't mean anything if they're not documented. You can make sure that you and your guests can relive your wedding day and share your memories with others for years by knowing how to choose the best wedding photographer.
However, it's not as easy as a quick Google search to locate someone, agree on terms, and start working together. Before settling on a photographer, there are several details to think about. In this piece, we break down all of those factors into nine manageable actions.
1. Find inspiration
When planning your wedding, it's often helpful to search for ideas from others. Look at wedding photos that have moved you from friends' weddings, websites and editorial sources like wedding blogs and magazines.
Remember that you're just viewing one picture at a time while you navigate through Instagram and other social media sites. A professional wedding photographer can capture many beautiful images that flow seamlessly together to convey the tale of your special day. Sources of wedding photography inspiration that include many photos captured at different times throughout the big day will give you the best idea of the photographer's style and capacity for creating a narrative via images. Using free services like Pinterest and Pocket, you may store photos as you find them and then examine them for patterns. Insight into your style may be gained through doing so.
2. Pick your style
One of the most crucial considerations when deciding on wedding photography is the photographer's aesthetic. "Style" in the context of wedding photography typically refers to the photographer's preferred method of documenting the big day. Wedding photographers often use one of many distinct approaches.
The photographs of any photographer are not limited to the aesthetic with which they most strongly identify. Many photographers, for instance, prefer the documentary approach but sometimes capture some planned shots. Discuss your expectations with the photographer before signing a contract to ensure everyone is on the same page.
3. Get the hunt for a wedding photographer underway
You may start narrowing down your options for photographers after you have a sense of the aesthetic you're seeking. Photographers in your region may be found in directories on major wedding planning websites like The Knot and WeddingWire. For instance, when you search for "last minute photographer from Sydney," on Google, you'll get a mix of sponsored ads and organic results.
4. Inquire about prior experiences and references
Before committing to a wedding photographer, it's a good idea to contact a couple of their past clients to get a feel for their work. Talk to their references about their experience dealing with the photographer, how much they noticed (or didn't notice) the photographer on the day, how they coordinated with guests for posed photos, how long artistic shots took, and anything else in mind. It can help you determine whether the photographer is a suitable match for your wedding and their process.
5. List down key moments
Write down the most important things you want to remember on your wedding day. This data and your desired aesthetic will be a good starting point for conversations with photographers.
6. Harmonize your thinking
While interviewing your top choices for wedding photographers, think about how you want your special day documented. The "ideal" photographer for you will combine several aspects, such as how well they grasp your vision, personality, experience, style, cost and portfolio.
7. Talk about the many wedding photography packages available
Photographers will often provide many wedding coverage options. Considerations include how long you'd want coverage to last, whether or not you want the rehearsal dinner covered, how many photos you'd like taken, and whether or not you'd like a printed album. The rights to the photographs are often not included in the deal, but editing and hosting on a private site for viewing are. It's essential to inquire about this since it differs for each photographer.
8. Set a budget
Once you've decided on a certain aesthetic, it's time to establish a spending limit, a task that is not without its challenges. This is not the time to be cheap. Wedding photographs are a once-in-a-lifetime investment, but they are the visual legacy you will leave to future generations.
9. Book a pre-wedding session
The most beautiful photographs are shot unposed, naturally, when the bride and groom are at ease and fully present in the moment. There will be no one else around except for you and your photographer. Take advantage of this one-of-a-kind chance to bond with him; how things turn out depends heavily on the strength of the bond you two forge.
With the above nine steps, you can rest assured you will land the perfect wedding photographer for your big day.
