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How To Pick A Wedding Photographer.

Questions and tips for you to find a perfect match.

By Ashleigh Cropper

January 17^th, 2017

How to find your perfect wedding photographer.

Did you recently get engaged and now you are in the process of trying to figure out all your wedding-plan details?! I was you 7 years ago to the date! At that time I wasn't a wedding photographer and I was drowning in trying to navigate my way through the wedding industry. Now 7 years later and being a part of this industry, I have learned some very valuable tips to finding your perfect wedding photographer.

Style and Specialty

If you wanted to commission an artist to paint a portrait of your fiance, you would probably be looking at several and pick whomever matched the style you want. We all know that painters each have a unique style, but a lot of people seem to forget that every photographer has a unique style as well.

Each photographer has a style that can be from fine art (film photography and more whimsical), to dramatic (think moody and playing with light), portraiture (more posed and directed), and documentary (in the moment, lifestyle work). And many combine different parts of styles to establish who they are as photographers and their creative work. You should approach photographer hunting with the goal of finding the best fit, rather than the best photographer. You can blow a lot of money on a photographer who's style just isn't what you wanted.

I have always felt that you can point out images you love to a photographer, but you can't change them. So if you are not into their style, then I would not suggest moving forward with them. Look over their social platforms and website and get to know the photographer's work. If you love it, reach out to them!

More and more in the wedding photography industry the photographers are branding and messaging themselves to the type of work they most enjoy. You may see in their "about page" or on their Instagram profile words such as "intimate," "outdoors," "adventurous" or "elopement." Different photographers naturally gravitate towards different areas of work. It is not to say that a photographer who says they prefer elopement photography won't also shoot a larger wedding, but many do not, or prefer not to. Once you know more about your wedding day, it is helpful to find a photographer that has the same specific preferences for their work. And sometimes photographers just love it all and don't mind the larger weddings one day and an elopement the next (which I can't help myself but really love all types of weddings!)

Do You Want to Spend a day with this photographer?

Here is a big question for you! Would you enjoy spending an entire day with your wedding photographer? Do you two get along and feel like you can communicate with them? This is so important! Not only because you need to have excellent communication and feel comfortable talking with your photographer (always be honest with them!) but also because they will be spending the whole wedding day by your side. Your photographer may be there from the time you are getting ready to the time you leave your reception.

Personality can really make a difference, and it's something you need to consider. Are they too passive? Too aggressive? Narcissistic? Self-interested? It's worth your time to spend an hour or too in a coffee shop or over a video-chat getting to know your prospective photographers.

I always suggest either a quick phone call, Skype, or coffee date with my couples so they get to know me and we make sure that we would get along and have a great time on their wedding day!

Professional Tips.

I understand the need for a budget, trust me, I had one for my wedding. But here is the #1 thing I learned from my wedding that I hope every couple takes to heart: it is SO important to get a professional, well trained, well equipped photographer. It's a photographer's job to make it look easy, but that doesn't mean anyone can do it. I promise it isn't as easy as it looks. It is always so sad when I hear from friends or family about how they were so unhappy with their wedding photos because, "they didn't go with a professional." You will look back on these images for so many years to come.

It's a photographer's job to make it look easy, but that doesn't mean anyone can do it.

Of course you want good food, and good decorations, and amazing florals, but after the food is gone, the decorations are taken down, and the flowers are wilted, the photos are what keep the memories clear in your mind.

I am talking to you as the person who was planning her wedding day and experienced it all 7 years ago. It is worth EVERY penny to get an amazing photographer. Yes, you are thinking...well you are a photographer, of course you would say that. But truthfully, my wedding photos are some of my most prized possessions. Those captured moments are priceless.

So, here are my tips of what to ask a photographer to make sure they have everything on the business/professional end to fulfill an amazing wedding day for you:

1) Do you carry liability insurance? Many venues (actually most) will not allow a photographer without liability insurance to work at their location. That is not the kind of thing you want to find out the day of the wedding.

2) Do you have backup equipment? If the camera drops or breaks, that shouldn’t be the end of the picture-taking for the day. I like to tell my couples how I can get a little crazy with angles and making images happen. I am a big “sacrificer.” So if you see me roll down the hill, drop my camera from high above, or get dropped in the creek…do not panic! I have my backup cameras ready, with batteries fully charged. I WILL NOT miss that moment. It does not matter if I am traveling states away to your wedding, I will have that equipment with me. Make sure that your photographer does as well.

3) Do you have a backup plan if you get sick, have a family emergency, weather causes an issue for you to reach our wedding venue? (Do not hesitate to ask these questions or feel it is “too personal.” It is not.) Every photographer needs a plan. This is your wedding and you want to make sure that all the details, hard work, and this commitment to each other is captured. I make sure my couples know that I check in with my preferred backup photographers in that area who could cover for me at a moment’s notice 1 month before the wedding date. If anything were to happen, my photography colleague will be there, already know you two, know about your day and capture it in a similar style to mine. Talk about a sigh of relief for any couple!)

There are many more questions you can ask a potential wedding photographer, but I think if you make sure to address those three areas, you will be so happy with your choice. Go with your gut, chat with the photographer and get to know them. They are as excited as you are for your wedding day and are looking forward to hearing from you!