Below are 15 things to consider when shopping for your wedding photographer.
Experience: Look for photographers who specialize in or who have a proven track record in wedding photography. They should have a portfolio of 5 + galleries that demonstrates their ability to capture a variety of weddings in different styles and settings.
Style Compatibility: Ensure that the photographers' style aligns with your vision for your wedding photos. Whether you prefer a traditional, photojournalistic, or artistic approach, find photographers who can deliver the style you desire.
Reviews and Recommendations: Check online reviews and ask for recommendations from friends, your wedding planner, or local facebook groups. Hearing about others' experiences with a particular photographer can help you make an informed decision.
Personality and Compatibility: Wedding photographers spend a lot of time with the couple and guests, so it's essential that you feel comfortable around them. Choose photographers who have a personality that matches your own and your wedding vibe.
Professionalism: A professional wedding photographer should be organized, punctual, and responsive. They should have a clear contract, pricing, and a professional attitude. They should be knowledgable on their equipment, prompting and posing, how to build a flexible timeline, etc.
Equipment and Backup: Ensure the photographers have high-quality camera equipment and backup gear in case of technical issues. This is crucial for capturing your special day without interruptions. Your photographer should have a minimum of 2 camera bodies, 2 lenses between 24mm-85mm, 4 SD cards, 2 mountable off camera flashes with batteries, and 2 camera batteries with their chargers.
Portfolio: Request to see multiple full wedding albums or galleries, not just highlight reels. This will give you a more comprehensive view of their work and photography capabilities. Some photographers may require you to enter your email address to view their galleries and that is totally normal. This helps them keep track of who is in the galleries. Remember these are other people's intimate moments your are requesting to see so they are not always completely open to public view.
Second Photographer: If you want extensive coverage, consider a team with a second shooter. This can help capture different angles, emotions, and details throughout the day. If the timeline starts running behind, the photographers can split up to complete more tasks at once in order to get everything back on track. The second photographer can also serve as a second set of hands during the formal portraits to streamline the process and get the couple to their reception quickly.
Editing and Post-Processing: Ask about their approach to editing and post-processing. It's essential that their style of editing matches your preferences (note that different galleries may differ slightly depending on the time of year so request to view galleries of wedding captured around the same time of year as your wedding). How long is their turn around time? Do you want your wedding photos back sooner than their turn around time? If so, do they offer expedited editing?
Availability: Ensure the photographers are available on your wedding date and can accommodate your schedule. Your photographer should not be booking other sessions or weddings on the same day as your wedding to avoid scheduling conflicts.
Communication: Effective communication is vital. They should be responsive to your questions, concerns, and any special requests. Some photographers may not respond to your email right away, however it should not take longer than 3 business days to receive a response. Their response should be professional and knowledgable.
Price and Packages: Discuss pricing and packages upfront to ensure they fit your budget. They should be clear about what is included in their packages and any additional fees such as travel, lodging, gas, etc.
Contracts and Agreements: Your photographer must have a well-defined contract that outlines the terms, conditions, and expectations. This should include the number of hours of coverage, image delivery, and any copyright issues. If the photographer does not offer a wedding contract... RUN.
Insurance: Verify that the photographers have equipment and liability insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
Pre-Wedding Consultation: Meet with the photographers before the wedding to discuss details, timelines, and any specific shots you want. Write down any questions you have prior to the meeting.
By considering these factors and conducting thorough interviews with potential photographers, you can assemble a dream team that will beautifully capture the memories of your wedding day. HAPPY PLANNING!!
OKLAHOMA WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
I’m an Oklahoma Wedding, Elopement, & Engagement Photographer and would love to chat with you about your wedding! Get in touch about setting up a consultation today!