Take proactive steps to find the right wedding photographer, and you’ll be glad you did so when you get great results.
1. Do Your Homework
Well in advance of the wedding date start researching different wedding photographers and photography to get a sense of the photographer’s style and what kind of photos you like. It’s important to do this as early on as possible as most photographers book weddings a year in advance. The earlier you start your research, the greater chance of booking your top photographer. The last thing you want is to be stuck choosing between two mediocre photographers at the last minute.
2. Choose a Professional
While friends and family may offer to photograph your wedding for free or at a discounted price, it’s advised to choose a professional photographer to achieve the best possible results. Not only do wedding photographers have the experience, but when you hire a professional you can be straight forward about your expectations, without the worry of offending a friend or family member.
Professional photographers also know the best lighting, compositions, and locations, and will edit the photos professionally before delivering the final products.
3. Meet Your Photographer
It’s important to meet with the photographer and have a real discussion about what you are going for in your wedding photos, your expectations, and what you like about their past wedding photography. It’s also essential so that the photographer can bounce ideas off of you, get to know you, and learn what’s important for them to photograph.
Meeting the photographer also ensures that your personalities click, which is important since you’ll be spending a lot of time with them on the big day.
4. Stick to a Schedule
The day of the wedding will be hectic. Greeting guests, running to and from different locations, and of course, taking photos. Make sure to have a well-planned, realistic timeline of the day’s events, and stick to the schedule as closely as possible to allow enough time for everything.
Within this timeline, you’ll want to devote a couple of hours to photographing the wedding party at various locations and taking photos with your family. When planning, make sure to account for the time it takes to drive to = different locations so that you aren’t rushed from place to place.
5. Enjoy the Day
Any wedding is stressful, but it’s important to relax and enjoy the day. You don’t want to look back at your wedding photos and see yourself faking a smile through clenched teeth. You want the wedding photos to remind you of how much you enjoyed the day.