What you should look for in a wedding photographer

ME!

I’m kidding. Not really. But in this blog I will walk through what you should look for when you start searching for your wedding photographer to make sure you feel ~listened to~, *cared for*, and get all that you need and more!

THEIR WORK

On instagram, it is easy to capture photographers essence and work instead of trying to flounder through Google and find a photographer that fits the style of editing you want. So you can start off searching on instagram, “[your location] photographer” and start there trying to find the style you like. There are HUNDREDS of different editing styles so you need to narrow down if you like bright and clean, or more adventurous coloring. Then you need to understand if you are more drawn to super posed photos or free-flowing more emotional images.

PRICE

This seems like a given, but check these photographer’s website because they will show an initial price so you already have an idea what your minimum price will be. Some photographers will ask your budget for photography in the inquiry form, but once they send the pricing guide, and you find out that this photographer is a little over your price range, respond to them right away and say that you will be looking at other photographers. Don’t ask for a discount, unless they have one currently running, don’t try to get them to lower their prices just for you. They will try to work with you but if they are really out of your price range, kindly tell them “Thank you, but we are having to look at other photographers right now.” We appreciate these messages so much!

GOOD COMMUNICATION

From the moment that you first inquire about working with a wedding photographer, they should be emailing you within 48 hours with a pricing guide or some more information to help you make your decision. You are probably bombarded with emails from vendors at this time but you should email them back as soon as possible. They should be quick in replying and giving clear answers to your questions. Once you book them, they should be keeping in contact with you and asking questions and creating space for you to ask questions.

DO THEY ASK YOU ENOUGH QUESTIONS

Most of the important information they should have already received once you filled out their initial questionnaire. Make sure they ask questions about you and your fiancé and try to get all the details they can about your wedding day to make sure they do everything right and show at the right time, at the right place! Some other questions they should ask:

-What are your must-have photos?

-Do you have a Pinterest board you want to share with me?

-Do you have locations picked out for group, family and romantic photos?

DO THEY PROVIDE EXTRA INFORMATION FOR YOU TO CRUSH YOUR WEDDING DAY

I don’t know what all photographers do but for my clients, once they sign the contract, I send over a welcome packet that walks them through the wedding day and answers some questions they might have to give them peace of mind that they chose the right photographer! Wedding planning is overwhelming enough, they shouldn’t get that from their photographer! I provide some examples of photos they could ask for on their wedding day and ways to help family photos go smoothly. I provide example wedding timelines so they can help plan the day of their wedding and feel prepared that everything is thought of!

TURNAROUND TIME

So just like your photographer should be asking questions, you should be asking questions too! You should ask, if it is already unclear, what their turnaround time is for editing and sending your photos and videos to you. My turnaround time is 2 weeks to 4 weeks for photos, and 2 months for videos. If it is the summer or fall, you have to understand that your photographer is most likely swamped with shooting and editing so if it takes a little longer, give them grace! They have designated work hours set for this work too so treat them like humans!