How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer
Choosing your wedding photographer is a big decision. The first few things most couples nail down when planning a wedding are venue, DJ and photographer. (And a planner if you want to keep your sanity!!) Here are The Four P's you need to keep in mind when you go to choose your photographer!
Portfolio
If you don't like what you see, RUN! It kind of reminds me of the saying, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them!" You're investing lots of money into your wedding day and I would argue that your photographer is the MOST important investment in terms of the "materialistic wedding wants." So be sure that their style is what you want. Think about 30 years from now when your kids are getting married, will you be proud to show them your wedding photos or will you cringe when you look at them? Your wedding photos will BECOME your memories, choose a photographer who will honor your day in the way they shoot & edit.
Personality
I often joke during a first consultation by saying, if you are already annoyed or turned off by my personality, we probably aren't a good fit. And that's OK! That's actually GOOD! For both you and the photographer. Whether you actually meet them in person, over the phone or you have been following their social media accounts/blog for a while, make sure you have a feel for the type of person they are. Your photographer will be with you for some of the most important moments on your wedding day. Be sure you'll enjoy having their presence there!
Packages
Most photographers will send over a list of packages when you inquire. And this might seem obvious, but make sure there is a package that works for you. If you really want the digital files but your photographer only shares proofs, that should be a red flag! Many photographers are willing to customize packages, but being very upfront about what you need is important. Don't shy away from letting them know what will and won't work for you. If they aren't willing to accommodate (and many times for good reason!) then I would recommend looking into other options!
Purpose
This is probably the most important. There are A LOT of photographers out there but not every single one is going to have the same purpose behind what they do. There is a common phrase tossed around the wedding industry; "Shoot for the Blog." While I enjoy posting a cohesive wedding story on my blog, and many times it helps me stay focused on what I need to shoot on a wedding day, a blog should not be a photographers focus. Be sure to ask them, "What's your purpose? How will that effect the way you shoot my wedding?" You want someone who is there for YOU. Who is passionate about telling YOUR story. Not creating their own interpretation just because it will look nice on their blog.
I hope this TIP was helpful! Next Monday keep an eye out for "Something I REALLY want to do in 2017" and then the following week will be how you can do it too!
