Planning a wedding? Wondering how to choose the best photographer?
Unlike the products of other wedding vendors (such as music, flower arrangements and cake), it can be hard to know what you’ll get from a wedding photographer until after the fact. That means it’s important to do careful research when choosing your wedding photographer. Here are some steps to guide you:
- Choose a style. Before you start looking at different photographers, you and your future spouse need to decide what type of photography style you prefer. That will be a big help in determining the kind of photographer you’ll want for your wedding. Some things to think about:
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- Do you want someone who does documentary-style photos, with lots of candids?
- Do you prefer classic portraits, with posed shots of the two of you, your friends and family in front of backdrops?
- Are you looking for photos that are more edgy, bold and non-traditional?
- Do your research. Go to the websites and blogs of the photographers you are considering to see the photos of other weddings they’ve shot, which will give you an idea of their style. The design of the website can also give you a sense of the photographer’s personality. Check out their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages, as well. Look for feedback from clients — is it positive? How does the photographer respond? (Psst — TheKnot.com offers this directory of photographers!)
- Have a conversation with them. You’re going to put a lot of trust in your wedding photographer on your big day. In order to get the best images and a true account of this very special occasion, it’s important that you feel comfortable and relaxed in their presence. If, for any reason, you feel uncomfortable around your photographer, this will be obvious in your wedding photos. And remember your guests: If your wedding photographer is approachable and friendly, your guests will have no problem letting the photographer to blend in and capture the day as it naturally unfolds.
- Confirm the price and packages. Not only should a photographer should be open about their pricing, but you should also be clear on your budget. Neither one of you wants to waste any time, so be honest from the start. Here are some things to ask:
- What is their general fee, based on the photographer’s standard “shooting fee” and package?
- What are the standard rates for the type of album you think you’ll want?
- How much coverage will you get for the standard package? Whether you want to book them for a full day or a whole weekend, find out what is included, as well as the basic range for any extras you may want, like an engagement shoot, special effects or additional coverage. This will help you when you compare the rates of different photographers.
- Ask about your rights. Some contracts will state that the photographer owns the rights to all of the photos they take at your wedding. This means they can use the pictures for promotion on their blog or website, publish them or put them in an advertisement. It also means that when they send you the digital proofs, you can’t share them on your social media channels; many photographers have a policy that you can only share images that are watermarked or have their credit on them. And, unless you negotiate otherwise, if you want to make prints of the photos yourselves or order an album from another source, you may have to buy the rights to the images.
Good luck to you and your partner — and your photographer — on your special day!
