These are the tips you should keep in mind while choosing your wedding photographer.
If you’re getting married, you certainly know that when planning a wedding, there are an endless list of things to decide. Probably, the first things that will pop your mind will be the wedding dress or suit, the venue, or even choosing between a band or a DJ.
Of course all of these things are super important, but have you ever thought about the importance of choosing the right wedding photographer? By this moment you’re probably thinking “of course she would say that, she’s a wedding photographer after all”. Well, I know that I may sound a little biassed, but if you take a minute to really think about this, I’m pretty sure you’ll end up agreeing with me!
Getting married is one of the most important and special moments of a couple’s life. This will be one day dedicated to you as a couple, and to your love. This will be one day you’ll want to remember forever.
So, imagine yourself a couple of years from now. For some reason you just remember how incredible your wedding day was and you just want to relieve it. What would be the best way to do it? You’re probably thinking about the wedding photos or videos. So, what I’m really trying to say is that the wedding photographer you choose will have a direct impact in the way you’ll remember this day.
Another thing I think it’s important for you to keep in mind is that this person will be by your side living one of the most important days of your life. This will be the artist that will capture every smile, every look, every special moment of this day. For this reason, it’s truly essential that there’s a good connection between you – the couple – and the photographer, since this is one the best ways to guarantee that the pictures and video really capture the essence of each moment.
And if you’re already convinced – or even if you’re not -, check out some of the most important things you should keep in mind while choosing your wedding photographer.
5 Essentials Tips to Choose a Wedding Photographer
1. Choose your style
Just like every couple has its own vision for their wedding day, so does every photographer has its own style when it comes to photography and video. So, one of the first things you should do before choosing your wedding photographer is to think about what kind of photo style suits you better.
Do you imagine your wedding pictures and videos with a traditional and classic look? Or you’re looking for something more candid, or with vintage vibes, or even with a more editorial style? To find the style you wish for is essential so you can start to build your list of photographers.
2. Check out the portfolio
Now that you already have your style defined and probably a few names in your list of possible professionals, it’s time to check out their portfolios. This is one of the best ways to make sure the photography style and past works really match what you’re looking for.
My tip is to not only check their websites and online portfolios, but also take some time to see their professional Instagram profiles. You’ll probably find more recent work and you can even get some inspiration for your own wedding!
3. Schedule a meeting and get to know each other
Like I said in the beginning of this blog post, I truly believe that it’s essential that you have a great connection with your wedding photographer. And one of the best ways to start this connection is with a meeting.
Obviously, a face-to-face meeting is always the best option, but if you’re getting married abroad a video call should be a more practical choice. As a wedding photographer, I always like to schedule this meeting with my couple so I truly understand their hopes and expectations, so we can start working as a team from the very beginning.
4. Ask all the questions
It’s quite normal that you have some – or a lot of – questions to ask. So, don’t be afraid to ask them! During your meeting with the photographers or even after, by email or a call, make sure you have all the information you need.
And keep in mind that the photographer can also give you great advice for the wedding itself, especially if you’re planning a destination wedding. If these professionals are from the country where you’ll marry, probably they will have good recommendations for the venue, wedding planners, and other important decisions you’ll have to make.
5. Follow your gut
After you do all the interviews and meetings, you should just follow your heart and choose the wedding photographer that seems right to you. Don’t forget that you’ll spend the entire day with this person by your side, so it’s essential that you really feel comfortable with your choice.
So, sit down with your partner and just talk about the different options. The final decision should be a person that you genuinely like and that you feel that would be able to make your day even more special.
Extra tip: Book an engagement session as trial run
And here’s my extra tip for you (you can also call it the final test): schedule an engagement session with the photographer you have chosen for your wedding. Maybe you don’t even have in mind to do an engagement session, but this is a great way to truly meet the person behind the lens, to create a better and more intimate connection and even to work out some of the details for the big day and make you feel more comfortable in front of the camera.
If you’re planning a destination wedding, this could also be a great opportunity to get to know the city better and even schedule a face-to-face meeting with your vendors!
Well, these are my five essential tips (plus one) that you can follow to choose your wedding photographer. If you don’t know anything about me or my work: Hi, I’m Margarida and I’m a portuguese wedding photographer. You can take a look at some of my work on my Instagram profile and, if you think we could be the right fit, just get in touch with me. There would be nothing that makes me happier than to be part of your special day! 🙂