Congratulations on your engagement! While wedding planning is exciting, it can also be stressful. Choosing the right photographer your wedding day is one of the most important steps you’ll take. With so many styles and skill sets out there, knowing who to choose can be overwhelming. You want to ensure you end up with photos you’re excited to show off! I’m here to help you navigate choosing the right wedding photographer for you.

Consider these 4 areas when selecting a photographer…

1. Price and Budget - What’s your overall wedding budget? How much does the photographer charge? Prices will range from as little as $500 all the way to $20k and beyond.

2. Skill and Experience - When deciding on a photographer, decide what you value. Do you prefer a seasoned pro? Or are you willing to hire a beginner in hopes of a lower price tag?

3. Style and Editing - Consider how a photographer shoots and edits. This will be evident by seeing their recent work on their blog, website, or social media.

4. Personality and Client Experience - Who really is this photographer? What does their brand say to you? What type of experience can you expect with them.

1. Pricing and budget

The average wedding in 2022 costs about $27,000 (according to Motley Fool). Cost of photography varies, but 10% of your overall wedding budget will likely be spent on photos. Pricing and budget for photography can be a sensitive topic so keep these key consideration in mind:

• There are talented photographers at every price point. However, photographers at the lowest price point will most likely be the least experienced.

• The more you are willing to spend on a photographer, the more options you have to choose from.

Is pricing is the most important consideration for you? If so you may have to be a bit more flexible on your preferences for styles, skill level, and client experience.

2. Skills and Experience

Photography skills encompass everything from technical skills to practical knowledge. You want a photographer really comfortable with photography gear, editing best practices, and how to facilitate beautiful moments. A photographer’s experience greatly enhances their skill. Wedding photography is a tough job. Photographers have to be 100% on all day— alert, aware, and ready to capture genuine moments. While there are very talented beginner photographers, they might be lacking in experience. This could result in them not knowing what to do in certain situations. If your wedding day low key with ample time to “get the shot” then choosing a beginner photographer could be an option. If you’re planning a big wedding with a tight timeline, choosing a photographer with more experience under their belt will be invaluable.

Photography does fall into the “art” category, and art is definitely subjective. Take this with a grain of salt. Let’s explore a few things to look for in a portfolio (or viewing an entire wedding gallery- because you definitely need to do that!)

• The gallery as a whole should have cohesive editing, it should tell the story of how the day unfolded.

• Horizons should be straight (unless artfully not straight).

• Subjects should be in focus (unless artfully not in focus).

3A. Understanding Shooting Style

Shooting Style can be defined as how a photographer photographs their subjects. Here are some examples of what I mean:

• Directed vs Candid - Telling the subjects what to do vs letting moments unfold naturally. Many photographers implement a mix of both.

• Lighting - Some photographers utilize on/off camera lights and flashes. Others utilize strictly natural light. Many photographers use a mix of both.

• In Camera Settings - Aperture and shutter speed are the main two settings that photographers use to change the look of photos. Aperture is what can give the background of photos that bokeh look (blurred background). Shutter speed is what can create “movement” in photos.

• Lens Choices - Some photographers favor images taken from wide angles vs a more “zoomed” in look, or vice versa.

3B. Understanding Editing Style

Descriptions like “dark and moody” or “bright and airy” or “true to color” are often used to describe editing styles. There are millions of ways to edit a photo. If editing style is most important to you, then look for a photographer who has a consistent editing style. If your photographer is changing edits all the time, you might end up with a different editing style from when you booked a year ago!

Below is four examples of how editing style can affect a photo.

1. This is my “true to color” style edit.

2. Next is a “warm, moodier” edit.

3. Third is a more “light and bright” edit.

4. Final edit is a more “desaturated dark” edit using Soulmate 08 - Soft.

4. Personality and Client Experience

Who your photographer is as a person and the experience they offer is extremely important. A photographer’s client experience can be the cherry on top of perfect wedding photos or a total disaster. I definitely recommend speaking with your prospective photographer in person or over phone or zoom before you book them. Make sure you like their personality and overall vibe.

Does this photographer own their own business and brand? Or do they work for a company as a contractor that’s hired per wedding? On the client experience spectrum, each of these two types will offer you very different experiences from booking to personalization of services.

If client experience is most important to you, make sure your photographer is offering you all the bells and whistles!

Now, let’s navigate their packages and offerings!

Okay, you’ve got a dozen quotes in your inbox. Now what? Comparing packages and deliverables can be tricky. The main things you want to make sure you LOVE about your wedding package are:

• Timeframe of Gallery Delivery - Some photographers will deliver your gallery within a week. Other photographers take 3+ months to deliver a gallery. If speedy photo delivery is important to you, choose a photographer that delivers quickly.

• Number of hours of coverage - Decide how many hours of the day you’ll want photographed. Make sure you book a package that will cover parts of the day that are most important to you.

• Number of photos delivered - The number of photos each photographer delivers will vary. The most common numbers are 50-100 photos delivered per hour booked. Keep in mind quantity and quality are not synonymous.

• Deliverables - Some photographers offer albums, polaroids, prints, flash drives etc.

• Additional Fees - Double check for things that might not be included (i.e. travel, engagement session, rights to print, 2nd photographer etc.)

Values/Rights

If you are a member of the LQBTQ+ Community or a Person of Color, finding an inclusive photographer can add additional challenges. The easiest way to check for inclusivity is on their website or Facebook or Instagram. Check for language or photos that make you feel loved and included.

Trust your GUt

There are many options out there. Take the time you need to feel comfortable with who’s right for you! Trust your gut! Photos are one of the few wedding day keepsakes you get to keep forever. Be sure to run away if you get any red flags!