What to Look for when Hiring Your Wedding Photographer
Planning your wedding is both exciting and stressful. One of the biggest investments will be choosing the person who will capture and document one of the most important days of your life. I’ve compiled a list of 5 things to consider when hiring your wedding photographer.
1.) Find a wedding photographer that is worth the investment
Wedding photography is a big investment and it’s important that you do your due diligence in finding a photographer that will be worth the money you're investing. How much you're willing to spend on photography? Wedding photography prices will range from photographer to photographer and this usually depends on how experienced they are. You and your fiancé should have an idea before you approach any photographer about the sort of budget you have for this element of the planning process. There’s no point in meeting up with a photographer if your budget is $3,000 and their starting price is $7,500.
You might ask, why so much for photography? Your wedding photographer may spend upwards of 8 hours of your wedding day with you, and after your wedding day, is when the work really starts. Photographers will spend around 6-8 weeks, sometimes more time, perfecting your images before delivery. That isn’t even counting the time before the wedding, planning and shooting your engagement session, designing your photography/wedding timeline, and answering any questions. When you’re searching for your wedding photographer, and you see a higher price tag, you’re likely investing in a professional who understands their cost of doing business, and is ready to give you a fantastic client experience. And isn’t that what you want on your wedding day?
2.) A Photographer that offers an experience that fits your needs
When talking to different wedding photographers, ask about their process and what is included in that process. Does the photographer offer a second photographer, an engagement session, will your photographer curate and mail you a breathtaking wedding album to you? You and your fiancé should decide what will be the most important for you in your wedding journey, and the photographer you’re hiring not only offers, but also delivers an experience that you will enjoy and rave about! Make sure you understand what your photographer offers, and what is delivered after the wedding day.
3.) Your Photographer Should Have a Style you love
Style is everything when it comes to wedding photography and deciding on what suits you and your fiancé will help in finding your wedding photographer. If you’re a couple who likes natural, candid photos, you don’t want to hire a photographer who specializes in posed and staged images. And, if you’re camera-shy, you don’t want to hire a contemporary photographer, who’ll treat your wedding like a magazine shoot! It’s not just about the style the photographer uses on the day. Be sure to check out how they edit the images as well. If you’re a fan of black-and-white photos, for example, find a photographer who has nailed this technique. Editing styles do change, so it’s worth asking your photographer how they edit their work before choosing them.
4.) Personality that Makes You Comfortable and Confident in Front of the Camera
This has to be the most important factor in finding a wedding photographer. Having a photographer that can make you and your partner feel comfortable in front of the camera will truly show in the delivered images. A majority of my couples will say to me that they’re not photogenic, that they can’t smile on cue or that they’re camera shy. Thats’s why getting a photographer that will you get along well with, laugh and be silly with is the best because your smiles will come naturally and you’ll have one hell of a day. I love bringing a lot of positive and goofy energy whenever I’m photographing my couples and often those smiles you see in the images is because the couple are laughing at my stupid antics.
5.) Someone who isn’t afraid to take charge
Every minute of a wedding day is precious, and if your wedding photographer isn’t comfortable leading the madness, that time can slip away fast. So it’s important that your photographer knows how to control the day for you and your fiancé. Your wedding photographer should be able to joke around with the wedding party, and still get everyone to “Look here and smile!” when they need to. And they should be able to give polite but assertive direction from everyone to your 90-year-old grandpa, to your 3-year-old niece, to a the rest of your wedding party.
Summary of blog, with call to action.
So, now you know what to look for in your wedding photographer. Use this info to find a favorite photographer that is worth investing in, has a personality that vibes with yours, and has a style you love. If Kion Creative Media meets those criteria, fill out the contact form below. I would love to hear more about you, your fiancé, and your wedding!