Finding YOUR perfect wedding photographer is no easy task – especially because this is the person responsible for documenting the best day of your life. As you go through your search, here are some tips and tricks to help you find the wedding photographer of your dreams!
Do you vibe with their personality?
One of my number one suggestions for choosing the right wedding photographer is making sure you actually vibe with their personality. For example, if you’re looking for the robotic business vibe from your photographer, then I’m probably not the girl for you! I work with couples who are chill, laidback, and honestly ready to find a new bestie. Connecting with your photographer on a personal level is so important because we need you to be comfortable being your most raw, unfiltered self in front of the camera! So if you’re browsing a photographer’s website or social media and you’re just… NOT vibing with what they’re putting out, that’s totally ok. Find someone who you would actually wanna become friends with IRL- because they are going to be there on one of your most real life days.
What type of connection are you looking for in a wedding photographer?
This goes hand-in-hand with the point about vibing with their personality – but we’re going a little deeper. Different couples have varying expectations when it comes to the type of connection they have with their photographer, so it’s important to know which category you and your lover fall into. Are you looking for someone who you want to continue being friends with after your wedding? Are you looking for a photographer who will be hands-off and just show up on your day to take photos? Or do you want someone who helps with the planning process? There’s no right or wrong answer, but knowing your preference will allow you to narrow down your options.
Do you vibe with their editing & photography style?
Each wedding photographer has their own editing and shooting style, and usually, that’s the first thing that draws you to their work. When you’re browning portfolios, galleries, or even social media grids, what style of work are you drawn to the most? Some couples prefer the posed and editorial vibe, some prefer relaxed and candid, and others like a little mix of both! I would describe my work as generally warm, bold & somewhat moody. But depending on who’s in front of my lens at any given time, we can go from soft to classy to sultry to sweet to edgy to vintage to silly to adventurous at the drop of a hat! What’s important is that you connect with your photographer’s style – putting a label on it isn’t necessarily important if it’s what you vibe with. Focus more on how you FEEL when looking at someone’s work vs if they check off any stylistic boxes!
Are they legally protected?
This is an important one – after all, photographers are responsible for preserving your wedding day memories. There are so many things that go into running a legitimate photography business, and not everyone is doing it the right way. Make sure your wedding photographer has…
- The legal business formations
- Business insurance (if required in their state)
- Contracts! Contracts! Contracts!
Having a legally binding agreement with your wedding photographer will eliminate any misunderstandings if something happens to come up. Your contract should include how many photos will be delivered, when they will be delivered, and when payments are due.
For my business, I utilize HoneyBook, a platform that keeps track of all my couples with each one having their own portal for contracts and invoicing. This makes it super simple for you to download your contract, view and pay your invoices, and schedule any necessary appointments with me!
Are they within your budget OR are you willing to be flexible?
I firmly believe that investing in wedding photography means investing in your memories. That’s why I work with couples who value their wedding day documentation and have it high up on their priority list! When creating your wedding budget, it’s important to set your priorities at the beginning to determine what areas you feel comfortable spending more money on than others. When it comes to wedding photography, choose a photographer that’s within your budget and figure out if that budget is flexible if you come across your dream photographer!
I recommend doing some research before setting your budget so that you have an accurate range in mind! Most photographers usually share their package starting prices on their website so keep an eye out for that.
Pro Tip: Ask if complementary engagement sessions are included in their packages. I always include engagement sessions because it’s so important for me to get to know you before your wedding – but not every photographer feels the same way.
Do they travel?
If you’re planning a destination wedding, it can be difficult to decide if you should book a local photographer or one who travels. While I can’t give you a black-and-white answer, I can say this: For me, being a destination wedding photographer doesn’t actually have anything to do with the destinations. but it has more to do with my couples. The reason I travel for weddings is that my people aren’t just in Florida, they are all over the country! If we connect on a soul level, I don’t care where in the world you’re getting married – I just want to be apart of making it the best day ever.
Most of my destination couples happen to come across my Instagram or website and see something different that they haven’t seen with local ones in their area or branded destination wedding photographers. What’s most important is the connection to my work that they feel, and that’s what prompts them to inquire and learn more! So, what I’m trying to say is even if someone doesn’t label themselves as a destination wedding photographer, always inquire and ask if they travel if you feel super connected to them 🙂
Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
You ARE entrusting someone to document the most special day of your life, so they better encourage you to answer any and all questions you have! On inquiry forms, in emails, and on consult calls, be sure to ask any clarifying questions along the way, preferably before signing a contract. Especially if you want a deep relationship with your photographer, don’t be afraid to ask personality questionstoo to make sure you vibe! At the same time, be sure to thoroughly stalk their website and FAQs to see just how much info you can get before reaching out to them.
I personally am an open book & if you say “Hey I do have a few questions though” my answer will always be “I have answers.” Whether about my file back-up process, camera gear, how I run wedding days logistically or even just questions about myself as a person, I will always be as informative, open and honest as possible.
One time I literally had a bride at the end of a consultation call ask me what kind of music I listened to because apparently you can tell a lot about a person based on the music they listen to and when I answered with my classic rock, Fleetwood Mac and Greta Van Fleet vibe she was like “Oh wow yup you’re my girl” & the rest was history.
At the end of the day, trust your gut
There are so many talented photographers out there, but at the end of the day, choose one that you feel in your gut is the right choice. This could be because of their personality, their work, their testimonials, or just a mix of everything. You should know in your heart and soul that you’re booking your dream wedding photographer!
If you’d like to get to know me a little better (and see if we have that bestie energy!), then you can visit my About Me page and Instagram profile to get a feel for who I am. When you feel like you might be ready to do the damn thing, you can inquire via my contact form and I’ll send you everything you need to know!
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