Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so naturally you’ll want to preserve every precious moment of your special day. That’s why it’s so important that the photographer and videographer you choose are the right fit for you and your wedding. Follow our guide to finding someone to flawlessly capture your wedding.
Before you start Googling wedding photographers like it’s your job, you should decide what photography style you want to use to capture the beauty and celebration of your big day. Some people prefer traditional posed photography, while others may be all about candid photojournalism type photos that document the entire day. For example, some couples want photos of more than just themselves like of the brides dress. This DIY Bride Hanger would be a perfect element to photograph. If you don’t have any idea of the type of photos you want going in, it will be harder to find the right photographer, not to mention you’ll waste a lot of valuable time interviewing photographers who could be eliminated up front. Sometimes a blend of styles works beautifully, but having an idea of what you want will help you focus on photographers who specialize in your chosen style(s). Also keep in mind it's easier to have the same photographer for your engagement photos as your wedding. You can use your engagement photos to create personalized favors for your wedding such as these custom photo hand fans and these custom photo favor stickers.
Do Some Snooping
Now that you know what style you want, it’s time to jump on Google. Do a search for local wedding photographers and take a look at their web sites. Do you like what you see? Good! Now be sure to read the customer reviews. You should also track them down on Facebook and other social media outlets to see what previous clients are saying about them.
Ask Friends
Another good resource for finding quality photographers is to ask friends, relatives, and coworkers who were recently married. You’ll get an honest assessment of their work, and most likely you’ll be able to see lots and lots of photographs from the people they recommend.
Interviewing Photographers
Have you compiled a list of photographers you’re interested in? Now it’s time to set up interviews. There are a few important things to consider when interviewing photographers:
- First and foremost, do you like their work? Wedding photography is not one-size-fits-all. There are many styles of wedding photography, including formal images, artsy images and candid photojournalism. What style do you prefer? Do you want a mix? Does the photographer shoot in black and white? Do they like to over-process their images? Ask to see full galleries of weddings they’ve shot, not just the highlights they like to promote.
- Are they affordable? What types of packages do they offer? Will they bring a second shooter? How many sets of proofs will you receive? Are albums included? While many photographers may pass the “Do you like their work” test, it won’t matter if you cannot afford them. Compare package prices and sizes between your final list of photographers.
- Do you connect with this person? You’ll be spending a lot of time with your photographer, and in order to get the best photos, you need to feel comfortable posing for them. This person will be documenting the most important day of your life, and you need to trust them and have a good rapport. This picture frame is perfect to put one of your favorite photos from your big day in.
- Are they available on your wedding date? If not, see if they can suggest other photographers in your area that have similar photography styles.
You're Hired!
You've decided on a photographer, but your work isn't done just yet:
- Your wedding photographer will most likely want a deposit. You can expect to pay 1/3 of the total rate for your deposit. Remember, photography/videography is generally about 12% of a wedding budget.
- Spend some time compiling a shot list for the photographer. Think about which guests you’d like photographed and what type of photos you consider must-haves (i.e. first look, group table shots, etc.,). Be sure to confirm your shot list with the photographer at least one week prior to your wedding.
- Keep the photographer in the know about any major changes to your wedding, such as date or location.
Wedding Photos for Less Cash When it comes to wedding photography, you get what you pay for. However, sometimes a professional photographer is just not in your budget. Don’t despair! There are a few other options:
- Hire a photography student
- Ask camera-savvy friends and family to take photos during event. Don't just rely on one person; divide responsibilities so they can also enjoy just being a guest.
- Put cameras on the tables and ask guest to use them throughout the reception
- Post-wedding, crowdsource photos from guests who brought their own cameras.
- Create a unique Instagram hashtag so all of your wedding photos can be viewed and downloaded in one spot. Make sure to grab these Personalized Hashtag Table Tent Cards to broadcast it to your guests!
Wedding budget is a very important aspect while planning your day. Download this free budget planning worksheet to help! Also check out fun DIY projects like this DIY Gold Geometric Botanical Photo Wreath to display photos on the big day. You can then swap it out for your wedding day photos and use it as a decoration in your home after!
Hiring a Videographer
Take a similar approach when hiring a videographer. First, review their work. Watch sample wedding videos from start to finish, not just snippets. Things to consider: Editing, pace, sound, music, montage of best moments vs. full event coverage. Videographers and photographers should be able to work well together, so you can ask your photography for recommendations. Your wedding planner, the venue, or other vendors may also be able to recommend a good videographer. Take some time to research the types of photography and photographers that suit you and your style so you'll have beautiful images that capture all your precious wedding memories.
You’ve taken care of the photographer, but have you been wedding dress shopping or thought about your wedding decor? And don’t forget – it's time to find a caterer! Keep planning, there's ten months until your wedding day!
Follow our Month-by-Month Wedding Planning Guide for more tips for every phase of your planning process. Feeling crafty? We’ve handpicked our favorite DIY wedding projects too!
Finish planning your wedding with these free printable wedding planning worksheets.
Article written by: Heather Clark
Photography by: Colin Conces
