Your wedding photos are the only thing that become more valuable over time and regrets are not an option.
Here's how to ensure the person you're hiring is the perfect fit to preserve something so important.
Things to look for and to ask:
- RESPONSIVENESS - This is KEY when planning a wedding. You shouldn't feel like your wedding is a number and you shouldn't have to follow-up to get answers. Vendors should be quick to reply right from the start or have an away message letting you know when they'll get back to you.
- LOVE ALL OF THEIR PHOTOS - Be sure lighting is great, you like the way they tell a story and that you love the majority of their photos, from indoors and outside.
- LOVE THEM - You’ll spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day than anyone else, so hiring hiring someone that you’d want to grab coffee or drinks with, that you'd consider a friend and that supports like-minded causes, should be a priority.
- TIMING IS EVERYTHING - If you want to spend the day maximizing time with your guests (and not spending hours taking photos), ask your photographer how they ensure this. Ask for a sample timeline that outlines where you'll be when and make sure that aligns with your hopes on how you'd like to spend your wedding day.
- 2ND PHOTOGRAPHERS - Make sure you get the details on WHO they use as their 2nd photographers. Are they interns? Assistants? Professionals? Do they know them? Have they worked together before? When is your 2nd photographer reserved? How much experience do they have?
- WHEN WILL YOU GET YOUR PHOTOS?? - Do you want your photos in months or just a few weeks? Loving someones work is great, loving them is even better, but waiting months and months for the photos from your most important day is no fun (I had to wait 10 weeks for mine and it was sad to wait so long). You’ll be so excited to share those moments with friends and family, so getting them back ASAP is super important!
Experience matters. Photographers you're considering should have:
- A lengthy portfolio of work. Weddings from all seasons, indoors and out.
- Their work will be VERY consistent indoors and out.
- They should be experts at timing and be able to tell you how they approach this.
- Have experience handling ANY lighting situation.
- Know how to handle a rainy day and always having a plan-b (and c).
- Be super responsive and helpful from inquiry to after the wedding day.
- Have a professional and respectful demeanor.
