How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer

Finding the correct wedding photographer for your special occasion can be a daunting process that requires time and effort. However, we help shorten the process with our list of six tips to help you land the perfect wedding photographer to suit all your photographic needs.

1. Decide on the Theme of Your Photographs

Before the search, it is advisable to come up with your preferred theme for your wedding photography. This will point you in the right direction when scouring for ideal photographers; not all can deliver your standards. If you're looking for outstanding and fun wedding shots to post on your social media, a photographer who takes formal photos might not be the right candidate of choice. Take some time perusing through blogs and Instagram to find the right wedding photography theme that resonates with you. You don't always have to narrow it down to one particular style. You can also blend in various pieces, such as contrasting and sharp shots. Always ensure to be open about your desired wedding photo style. This will save you time when shortlisting capable photographers.

2. Ask for Referrals

Getting the referrals of your family and friends is one way of finding a decent photographer. Chances are, your relatives might have previously hired one. Their feedback can give you a faint idea of the professional you'll be dealing with in the future. More so, social media is also an ideal platform to aid your search. Consider using Facebook and Instagram, and browse through accounts and hashtags of local wedding photographers. You can also decide to hire a wedding planner and have them organize a decent photographer for your reception. You can also go to a Wedding Fayre or join an online Wedding Fayre.

3. Interview Different Wedding Photographers

First impressions can make a difference in the quality of work you'll receive. Aside from viewing portfolios, setting up meetings with potential wedding photographers should be considered a priority. This will give an overall impression of who you'll be entrusting to take your wedding photos. A lazy and unkempt photographer is more likely to produce disappointing results than a neat and energetic one. During your special occasion, the last thing you'd want is to hire someone who drains the energy within the room. Therefore, consider setting up meetings with different photographers, and see which one you like best.

4. Carry Out Your Research

After receiving several recommendations and shortlisting individuals through interviews, you're bound to settle on a list of capable wedding photographers. However, you need to carry out your research and determine which of the few is tailored to suit your needs. The first step is to peruse through their online testimonials. Through this, you can assess their level of professionalism and work. You can directly contact past clients for detailed insight into the job done and if they're satisfied with the results. Furthermore, through their blogs or social media accounts, you can analyze their content to see if it's similar to what you're expecting. You can also determine their strengths and weaknesses by judging the angles, lighting, and tonality in the candid shots uploaded on their feed.

5. Ask to See Wedding Albums

Not all photographers will upload all their work onto their social media accounts. Instead, ask to see their gallery and albums. Also, some of the pictures seen online are composed of their best work only. You will hardly see any second-grade work on the profile of a professional wedding photographer. However, as a client, you'd want to get permission to assess their gallery. Seeing their raw and natural album photos can give detailed insight into their skill and professionalism level. More so, you can also highlight the wedding photos that you like and ask them to retake a similar shot at your wedding. This will make it easier to portray your ideas visually and even spark some new ones.

6. Compare Offers and Package Deals

Part of finding the right wedding photographer includes discovering services that are well adjusted to your budget. Therefore, by creating a budget and sticking to it, you're able to settle for decent photographers that you afford. Take some time to compare deals and packages. Some may offer exclusive discounts during low seasons while others may provide bundled deals, covering everything from shooting fees, printing, and labor costs. Also, you need to consider if their prices include full coverage for large scale wedding receptions or limited to a selected number of guests. By understanding the costs and services involved, you're able to avoid spending extra or investing in a service that doesn't fully cover your wedding.