Preparing for your wedding is both exciting and full of challenges. You have time sensitive decisions and investments to make, from choosing the perfect location to agreeing on which vendors to set as your wedding day team. These professionals will be part of many special memories from your wedding day.
One of your most important vendor choices is who will capture the events of your wedding.
But the secret behind choosing the best vendors aren’t who will capture your moments, but who will create them!
Raves
Word of mouth is one of the most tried-and-true methods of finding a photographer you’ll love. Going by the old theory, “birds of a feather flock together,” friends often share a common style. And the BEST way to know a photographer is by someone who’s experienced them. Use Yelp, Google, Facebook, The Knot, etc. and try to find as many reviews for the photographers as possible.
Are the reviews actual raves? Or are they short sentences? If a couple was willing to give long stories about how much they loved their photographer, it wasn’t just a decent photographer – it was a FANTASTIC one.
Instagram, Instagram, Instagram
This may be one of the only instances in which social media stalking is highly encouraged. Allow yourself to get lost in an endless scroll. Start by scanning the feeds of your favorite wedding blogs or magazines, or trail through a beautiful venue’s geo-tag.
In the process of clicking from profile to profile of accounts that share your taste and vision, you may end up settling on the perfect photographer that you wouldn’t have otherwise found.
Pick a style
Taking the time to browse a photographer’s portfolio can be invaluable to finding the right fit. Are you looking for candid, documentary style or more posed and traditional portraits? If there’s something in particular you’re looking for, focus on a photographer who specializes in it.
Know your venue
With so much talent to choose from, it can be easy to hire a photographer simply on the beauty of their work, rather than taking into account what your wedding will actually look like. If you’re marrying in an intimate indoor space in the city, look for inspiration along that vein, rather than being distracted by open, airy outdoor wedding photos.
Be in the know
Understanding the costs for various products and services is the first step in making informed wedding decisions. While many photographers don’t post their pricing online, use their portfolio to gain insights into the types of weddings they shoot. Use their work to gauge their prices. If their Instagram is stacked with large private estate events or destination weddings with details galore, you can assume that their fees likely start at a higher price point than a photographer who may shoot smaller celebrations.
Make sure you’re in love!
So you’ve found the one you’re in love with. What’s next? For your wedding, find the photographer you’re in love with!
How do you make sure they fit with your style and personality? When crafting your first email, make sure to expand on simply the venue, date, and hours of coverage needed. Share who you are, your love story, and your vision for the day.
If the photographer feels a connection with you they may respond in a more personal tone, creating an opportunity for sparks to fly. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person on one of the most intimate days of your lives. If you take the time to establish trust from the start, you’re likely to have the experience you want on your wedding day.
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