3 Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer

If you’re getting married, one of the first things you are going to do is book your wedding photographer. In my opinion, choosing a wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make–aside from WHO you’re marrying. Every part of your wedding day is going to turn into a beautiful memory. One of the only tangible things you’ll have to keep is your photo gallery.

I didn’t start my photography journey until after I got married. When I was choosing a wedding photographer, I just went with the first person I could think of. In fact, I didn’t do any vetting or ask any questions (including “do you shoot weddings?”) My husband and I love our photos because they capture a very special time in our life, but if I could go back I would do things different. Now that I’m a wedding photographer, I want to help you have no regrets by sharing 3 tips I wish I knew when choosing a wedding photographer:

1. Narrow Down by Style First

It sounds really obvious, but I actually didn’t think much about this until I was a photographer. I thought that as long as someone had a nice camera, I would be happy with the results. Man, I was so wrong! I feel strongly that this should be the very first thing that you decide on when you start your photographer search. You could book the most esteemed photographer in the world, but if you don’t love their style you are not going to be fully happy with the outcome. There are two aspects that make up a photographer’s style: posing/composition & editing.

Posing & composition: this is the way that a photographer poses their couples during the shoot. Are the photos really posed and traditional? Are they more candid with some movement and emotion?

Editing: The way that a photographer edits is HUGE in distinguishing them from others. You could have 5 photographers shooting the same couple and their photos could turn out vastly different because of their editing. I want you to really take note of what draws your eye. Do you like more moody and muted or true-to-color? Also, keep in mind that what might be beautiful to you right now should ideally age well down the road.

If there’s one thing I want you to take with you, it’s that it is so important that you love a photographer’s work before you book them. Don’t go into it thinking that you can request a different style.

2. Ask to see a full wedding gallery

You’ve narrowed down your search to a handful of photographers whose styles you LOVE. The next logical move is to inquire for pricing. This is not a bad idea, but I do want you to remember something: price does not always equal quality. There’s not some marketplace that regulates the prices of photography services. These are small business owners who can charge whatever they want to.

When you start reaching out to inquire about wedding packages, I want you to ask to see a full wedding gallery. There is so much you can learn by doing this:

Have they actually photographed a wedding? Many newer photographers will attend “styled shoots” to build their portfolios. I did it when I was first starting out. This is a great way to learn but does not replicate an actual wedding. Make sure they have experience with every part of a wedding day.

Consistency: Most photographers only post their most show-stopping photos on their website and social media. A full wedding gallery allows you to see how they shoot every moment of the day. Make sure their editing is consistent even with different lighting and backdrops.

Lighting: For me, the most challenging aspect of wedding photography is learning how to shoot in any lighting situation. This is also what tends to set experienced photographers apart from those who are more amateur. You want a photographer who is confident and prepared with the right gear and knowledge. Typically, your photographer should have some type of flash system for low-light environments like a wedding reception. I’ve even had to use a flash during an indoor ceremony.

3. Ask the right questions

You’ve found a few photographers that are within your budget. Now what? Ask questions. Coming from a photographer, I would much rather a client ask me questions right out of the gate than be unhappy with my work after the wedding is over. Not sure what to ask? Here are some good starters:

What is your pricing structure? This is different than asking how much they charge. Some photographers charge by the hour, others charge by the image. Do they offer packages, A La Carte pricing, or both? Is there a travel fee? Additionally, you’ll want to find out when payments are due. It’s very common to pay a deposit to secure your wedding date.

What is your turnaround time? It’s important to know when you’ll receive your photos. If you’re doing engagements and/or formals before the wedding, you’ll need ample time to get prints and invitations made.

Do you have a contract? If your wedding photographer does not have a contract, please run. Seriously. Once a photographer hits their shutter button they retain immediate copyright. (You can read more about copyright laws here.) One of the purposes of a contract is to shift some of those rights to the client for personal use. It also holds the photographer accountable for the deliverables. So, a contract serves you just as much as the photographer.

What would you do? Don’t be afraid to ask a few hypothetical questions. A wedding is a big event that can’t be repeated, and you want to know that your photographer is prepared for any situation. This gives them a chance to explain their processes and ease your mind that they know what they’re doing.

What are the deliverables and how are they delivered? Lastly, you’ll want to know exactly what you’ll be receiving. Most photographers will send you a digital gallery. Some offer prints as well. I send my clients a full, edited gallery. This means that I only exclude the photos that don’t turn out, and I do not include unedited photos. My clients receive their gallery in through an online delivery website where they can easily share and download.

I hope these tips were helpful to you as you begin choosing a wedding photographer. If you’re looking for a true-to-color wedding photographer in Northern Utah, you can find more information here.