Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life, and capturing those moments perfectly is crucial. Finding the right wedding photographer can make all the difference.
Wedding photography includes all types of weddings: destination wedding, elopement, civil ceremonies, traditional or outdoor weddings, vow renewals, etc. No matter your type or style of wedding, we’ve gathered tips to help you find and choose the perfect wedding photographer for your big day.
1. Define The Photography Style You Like
Before you start searching, determine the style of photography you prefer. Wedding photography styles vary widely, including:
- Traditional: Classic, posed shots.
- Photojournalistic: Candid, storytelling images, emotion-centered. Also known as documentary or reportage.
- Fine Art: Artistic, conceptual, and creative compositions.
- Contemporary: Modern, trendy photos with unique angles and effects. Fashion or editorial photography-like.
Browse wedding photography websites, magazines, and social media to identify styles that resonate with you and your partner.
2. Set a Budget
Determine how much you’re willing to spend on wedding photography. Prices can vary significantly based on the photographer’s experience, location, and package offerings.
Consider allocating a reasonable portion of your wedding budget to ensure high-quality photos, and take into account possible extra fees such as travel costs, extra hours, post-production, etc.
3. Start Your Search Early
Wedding photographers are often booked months, if not years, in advance. Start your search early to have a better chance of securing your top choice. Begin by:
- Asking for Recommendations: Reach out to friends, family, and recently married couples for suggestions.
- Searching Online: Use photography search websites, forums, or find a photographer through Cherrydeck.
- Social Media Platforms: Use Instagram or Tiktok to find photographers in your area, see their skills, or have an idea of styles you enjoy.
- Attending Wedding Fairs: Meet photographers in person and view their portfolios at local wedding fairs.
4. Review Portfolios
Once you have a list of potential photographers, review their portfolios to get a sense of their style and quality of work. Look for consistency, creativity, and attention to detail. Pay special attention to:
- Lighting: How they use natural and artificial light.
- Composition: The arrangement of elements in the photo.
- Emotion: How well they capture genuine emotions and moments.
- Editing Style: Their approach to post-production and editing.
These factors will be influenced by their photography style. For instance, documentary photographers focus more on capturing emotions and raw moments.
Familiarize yourself with the photographer’s editing style
In case you haven’t heard of Sepia Gate, you should know that wedding photographers have each a distinctive photography style in which they deliver your wedding pictures.
Their editing style will 100% be reflected on the final product, aka the pictures you receive. Some highlight cold or warm tones, some use a lot of blurriness, some use a lot of saturation, some may include mostly black and white edits, and so on.
Therefore, pay attention to what their editing looks like and figure out whether your wedding venue or lighting conditions will be favorable to the editing style. In addition, discuss with the photographer about editing adjustments should you require them.
5. Read Reviews and Testimonials
Check reviews and testimonials from previous clients to gauge the photographer’s professionalism, reliability, and ability to deliver high-quality results. Look for feedback on their:
- Punctuality: Arriving on time and adhering to schedules.
- Communication: Keeping in touch and responding promptly.
- Flexibility: Adapting to changes and unexpected situations.
- Final Product: Delivering high-quality photos and albums.
6. Schedule a call or meet in person
Arrange meetings with your top choices to discuss your wedding day and vision. Use this opportunity to:
- Assess Compatibility: Ensure you feel comfortable with the photographer’s personality and approach.
- Discuss Details: Go over the schedule, key moments to capture, and any specific shots you want.
- Review Packages: Understand what’s included in their packages, such as hours of coverage, number of edited photos, and additional services like engagement shoots or albums.
Ask the Right Questions:
- Availability: Are they available on your wedding date?
- Experience: How many weddings have they photographed?
- Equipment: What type of cameras and lenses do they use? Do they have everything to get your wanted results?
- Backup Plan: Do they have a backup photographer in case of emergencies?
- Turnaround Time: How long will it take to receive the edited photos?
7. Review Contracts Carefully
Before signing any contracts, read through the terms and conditions thoroughly. Pay attention to:
- Payment Terms: Deposit requirements, payment schedule, and cancellation policy.
- Deliverables: Number of photos, editing process, and delivery format (digital, prints, albums).
- Usage Rights: Who owns the photos and where they can be used.
8. Trust Your Instincts
Choose a photographer who not only meets your technical and stylistic requirements but also makes you feel at ease. Your wedding day is a special occasion, and having a photographer you trust will help you relax and enjoy every moment.
If you want to have different angles, styles and extensive coverage of your wedding, it’d be recommended to hire multiple photographers, and even a content creator, to shoot simultaneously. They each would bring a different point of view to capturing your wedding.
By following these steps, you can find a wedding photographer to capture the beauty and joy of your special day, ensuring memories that will last a lifetime.
Bonus: Simplify your search for the right photographer
With Cherrydeck, you can skip multiple steps to find your perfect photographer by posting your wedding photographer requirements, and have talent delivered to you!
Step 1: Tell us about your wedding wishes
Fill out a brief form to outline the details, specific needs, and budget considerations.
Step 2: Review Applications
Receive proposals from qualified photographers eager to work on your wedding. They will answer your questions and you’ll be able to check out their portfolios easily.
Step 3: Choose the best fit
Select and work with the photographer whose style and offer best matches your requirements.
