How to Hire a Wedding Photographer

Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make for your big day. It is essential to find someone who both fits your style and personality, and can provide the level of service you need for the big day.

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It’s best to interview photographers before making a decision. Here are some tips for hiring your dream wedding photographer.

1. Reputation
You’re about to hire someone that will be following you around on one of the most important days of your life. This is a relationship that should be built on trust and communication.

Ask for references from past couples and be sure to read through the reviews. If something isn’t right, it likely won’t be fixed by a single chat or email.

A photographer’s reputation can also be impacted by the quality of their work. Be wary of a photographer that only shows photos from staged sessions or editorial projects. These are not a good representation of the quality that you can expect from a real wedding day. Ensure the photographer is capable of taking great photos in any environment. This includes indoor and outdoor lighting.

2. Style
The style of a photographer can make or break your experience with them on your big day. It’s important to look through full wedding albums of their work to see how they capture a variety of moments. If you find that most of their photos are bright and airy, it’s likely that they prefer to shoot in a documentary fashion.

On the other hand, if their photos are darker and moodier, they may prefer to photograph posed moments. The type of editing that a photographer uses can also have an impact on how their photos look. Ask them to share a few of their favorite images with you and how they achieved them.

3. Reliability
When choosing a wedding photographer, you’ll want to be sure they are reliable. You’ll want to make sure they can meet your expectations on the day of your wedding, and that they have protocols in place if something goes wrong (like a little cousin running into a light stand at the reception).

Asking to see a full gallery from a recent wedding is another great way to evaluate a photographer. A photographer’s website will only display their absolute best work, so viewing a complete wedding from start to finish will be helpful.

Some photographers may even offer videography services, so be sure to ask them about that as well. If they do not, they should be able to recommend someone that does. This can be beneficial as you will have one less person to worry about on the day of your wedding!

4. Pricing
A wedding photographer’s pricing can vary greatly based on their experience, quality, and location. A photographer in San Francisco, for example, will charge more than one in Gainesville. That’s because of local costs, competitors, and market factors.

When deciding on pricing, look at all of the variables involved and choose what’s best for you and your budget. Don’t forget to factor in travel, a la carte options, second shooters, albums, and other value-adds.

Most importantly, hire a photographer that you connect with. You’ll be spending a lot of time with them on your wedding day and need to feel comfortable with them. If you don’t get along during the initial meeting, it’s probably not a good fit. Keep searching! You’ll find the right photographer for you.

5. Experience
In addition to their skill in photography, a wedding photographer should be able to help you navigate and plan your timeline for the day. If they aren’t willing to do this, it may be a sign that their heart isn’t in the business anymore.

When evaluating potential photographers, ask to see full wedding galleries! This is the best way to see if they have high consistent quality.

Additionally, inquire about their turnaround time (when can you expect to receive your pictures) and what happens if something goes wrong on the day of the wedding (like your hairdresser dropping your veil or your little cousin accidentally stepping on your light stand during family formals). Make sure they have back-up plans in place to ensure you are happy!