A Helpful Guide To Choosing a Wedding Photographer

If you're getting married someday soon, it's likely you have a 'to-do' list that's a mile long. What is one of the most important tasks on that list? Find a great wedding photographer. Sounds simple but seeing as there's a lot of wedding photographers out there, and knowing how important it is that your wedding photos turn out really well, it's not as easy as it seems. Horror stories about dismal wedding photos abound from disappointed couples who, sadly, did not choose their wedding photographer wisely. To help avoid this, and find a wedding photographer who knows exactly what they're doing, we've compiled some Advice and TIPs below for finding the perfect wedding photographer.

Setting a Budget

You want the best photographer money can buy, of course, but unless you're incredibly wealthy you'll want to first set a photography budget (and stick to it). Choosing based just on price isn't a great idea, but if the photographer you like most costs thousands of dollars more than the person you like 2nd most, stick to your guns and go with choice #2. That's not to say you should skimp on your wedding photos, because they're going to hold a special place in your family for generations, but just that you don't want to go deep into debt for them either.

Pro TIP- If you find a photog you really love and want at your wedding, but their price is out of your budget, ask if they can come for a partial or half-day shoot instead. If they can, you'll get the person and pictures you want and still stay on-budget, a win-win for everyone.

Experience, Equipment and Esteem

Their fees and charges aside, the more experience a wedding photographer has usually means the better your pictures will turn out, due to that experience and the fact that they will likely have better equipment, better ideas for photography locations and shots and a better command of what needs to be done to get the very best results.

With today's social media and review websites you also have access to something quite valuable; honest feedback from actual clients who've used that photographer already. It goes without saying that a photographer with better, more enthusiastic reviews (i.e. higher esteem) from clients tickled-pink with their wedding pictures would be the better choice. The more reviews the better too, as more reviews usually means they've been in business longer and thus have more experience.

You can also forego all of that and simply use a photographer who was recommended by a friend or colleague, or by the wedding venue you've chosen, but it's still recommended that you do your homework and due-diligence by checking them out on social media like Facebook and other review sites. The truth is, the photographer who delighted your friend Mary or who's worked at the wedding venue for years might be good, but they might not be good for you, and for what you're hoping to see when the ink dries and your wedding album is finished.

Pro TIP- Check out several photographers to compare their portfolios, prices and experience, but don't contact so many that it gives you photog overload and wastes too much of your valuable planning time.

Have A Friend or Family Member Take the Wedding Photos? No, thank you.

Yes, you love your aunt, adore your cousin and think Grandpa Fred is a wonderful man. Ad hey, they have a decent camera and have volunteered to take the pictures! Isn't that just the sweetest thing?! Well, yes, but the answer you should almost always give them is a sweet but firm 'no, thank you'.

First, as part of the family, you'll want any relative to take full part in the wedding celebrations and, if they're taking pictures they simply can't do that. Also, as a guest and not a professional being paid, they have the option to drink the alcoholic beverages you'll no doubt serve, and there's nothing worse than a tipsy or drunk photographer in charge of taking the most important pictures of your life.

Lastly, there's a big difference between someone who owns a camera and someone who's been trained to use a camera, has years of experience and has the right equipment for the big event. In short, unless your relative is actually a professional photographer (and, truthfully, even if they are) relying on a family member or friend to take your wedding photos is not a great idea. Let anyone who wants take their own pics of course, but leave the real wedding photography to a real wedding photographer.

Pro TIP- For professional wedding picture results, hire a professional wedding photographer.

Choose a Wedding Photographer Whose Style You Like Most

It's safe to say that as in any profession, different wedding photographers have different styles of shooting and editing. Some are more formal and 'stuffy', while others are more relaxed and playful. Some will command you around and tell you what poses to strike, while others will simply let you do you and shoot the results as you go.

All of these styles and more are great, if they're what you want, so knowing what your photographer can do beforehand is a must. That means seeing and studying their portfolio and asking as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. What do they think, how would they do this, where and when is the best time, etc.

Also, with today's wide range of editing tools, your photographer can take your photos and turn them into something completely different using filters, lighting, coloring, 'post-processing' and more, so knowing what you like, and what they can do, is a must. 

Pro TIP- Remember, once they're shot and processed, your wedding pictures will never change, so make sure you choose a style you will love to look at now and in the future.

Find Your Photographer and Book Your Date Well In Advance

There's nothing worse than finding a wedding photographer who fits your needs to a 'T' and when you go to book them you find out they're not available. That's why the further out from your wedding day you can find one, and book them, the better. If it's in your budget you might even want to arrange an Engagement Shoot to get to know them and their shooting style before the big day, which will inevitably make things easier when that day finally arrives.

Hopefully this advice and TIPs have been helpful and will lower your stress levels a bit as you plan everything. Your wedding pictures are one of the most enduring aspects of your wedding day and, if you want the very best results and pictures you'll cherish for a lifetime, follow these TIPs well. Best of luck and congratulations!