Photographs are not something you can hear, smell , taste or even see at first, unlike the work of your other wedding vendors (music, flower arrangements, cake). You don’t really know what you’re getting until after the fact. That means that when selecting your photographer, careful research and selectivity about technical skills, artistic style and personal temperament are extra critical.
Step 1: On a Theme, settle
You will first need to decide what kind of photography style you prefer before you start investigating photographers, as that will help determine what kind of photographer you will want to film your wedding. Get motivated! Spend time looking over every kind of imagery you love, from décor shots to the Instagram feed of a fashion blogger. Try to zero down on what attracts you directly to them once you have a decent set of inspirational images and dissect what feels most genuine to you and your partner. Perhaps it’s formal portraits, a traditional style of photography or a lifestyle, a photojournalistic feeling. If you love sharp and contrast-y shots, maybe the right choice for you is a photographer with a penchant for drama. Note, since many wedding photographers will do a mix of portraiture and documentary-style shots, a mix of black-and-white and color pictures, and so on, you don’t really need to focus in on one style in particular. But if there is one, then
Step 2: Get your homework done
By reading reviews from recent newlyweds and browsing local listings, such as the ones on The Knot Marketplace, start your quest. Carefully research the websites and profiles of potential photographers to check out pictures of other weddings they’ve taken, which will give you an idea of their style. How do they catch moments like a mother bustling her daughter’s gown or an intense first look that are important to you? The website’s architecture may also have clues about the personality and sensitivity of the photographer. If possible, check out their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, too. Is the consumer feedback positive? How is the photographer reacting? How do they communicate, do they seem friendly and personable with their Instagram followers? You’re getting the idea.
Stage 3: Customize Interviews
This is not a choice that can be made on looks alone; you have to personally meet your potential photographers. If you like what you see on their site, and their fees are in your range of ballparks, call to see if your wedding date is open. Go ahead, if available, and send an introductory email with a little bit about you and your soon-to-be girlfriend, your event and your day’s vision, and feel free to attach five or so of your very favorite research pictures so they know what you love. If your date is already booked by the photographer, you can want to see if they have an associate, or you may suggest another similarly styled shooter. To look at more of their work and decide if your personalities mesh, set up in-person meetings with three to five prospective photographers who are available on your wedding date. Be prepared to talk about your location, your wedding theme and what pictures you imagine.
Phase 4: See some full wedding albums
Do not base your decision exclusively on what you see in the highlights of a photographer’s gallery or album. For good reason, photographers present a portfolio of their best photographs to potential buyers, all from various weddings, so you’re getting the best of the best. The issue with that is that you’re not going to get a well-rounded understanding of their work. Ask to see two or three complete galleries of actual weddings they’ve shot (not anyone else in their company) so that after the wedding you can get a better idea of what your whole photo collection could look like. You’re on the right track if you see that the full gallery pictures are just as good as the ones selected in the highlight gallery (that is, they’re all so good it’s hard to choose!). And ask to see at least one or two complete wedding albums that are in similar environments to yours. If you’re planning an indoor affair with dark lighting, for example, don’t just look at weddings captured outdoors in natural light.
