Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
Where you expecting to come start reading about why you need to pick ME?? 😉 Oops. You will be disappointed! Because I do not believe that I am the right photographer for every bride. Choosing your wedding photographer is so much more than just finding someone who owns a camera. You aren’t going to hang your everyday selfie up in your living room. Your great-grandchildren aren’t going to be looking at every last vacation pic. But those wedding photos? Those are going to be passed down. Those are how you will be remembered. So finding a professional photographer who matches your style as a couple is crucial. I recommend searching around and finding 2-3 of your absolutely favorite photographers. Then set up a meeting with them! How do you go about finding those 2-3?
Do you like their style?
Classic. Artistic. Moody. Or my favorite, Bright and Creamy! There are SO many different styles. No photographer is the same. The best way to find this out is to actually to view their website. View their past weddings because these are a really good indication of what you should expect. Is there a variety of color and black & white? Do you like the angles, lighting, and how the other couples look?
If you like their website, I would then view their Pinterest Board! Are they pinning the same pins you are? Is their style of homes, colors, outfits, and other interests similar? If they are you may just have found your DREAM photographer!
Are they close to your budget?
Ahhh… the budget! If you aren’t sure yet what that looks like. You can calculate your budget here. This is no one’s favorite part of wedding planning. But here is a little secret ❥ if that dream photographer is way out of price range, contact them anyways! Here at Kylee Ann Photography, I have associate photographers in my business who will photograph the wedding but I take care of all editing. So our clients still get the Kylee Ann experience & image quality but usually at a less expensive cost. And other professional wedding photographers often do the exact same thing. It never hurts to contact them and see what options are available!
For some ⊱amazing⊰ tips on where and how to save on the wedding details, check out my Budget Saving Hacks blog! Seriously, you will thank me.
The Meeting
After you have chosen 2-3 photographers that you are crazy about, contact them and set up a meeting! This is a crucial step in choosing your wedding photographer. Not only is this person going to be photographing the most important pictures of your life… but you are going to be spending that entire day with them too! You need a photographer that you LOVE and that you TRUST. My first meeting with my Kylee Ann Brides is always at my photography studio in my home! It is a great way for my brides to get to know the real me. Other photographers hold these meetings at Starbucks, Einstein Bagels, and other local shops!
I would go to the meeting with your must have shot list. Obvious ones are the “I Do’s” and cake cutting. But maybe you are wearing a “something blue” bracelet that your grandma wore at her wedding. Include these small important details in your short shot list. This is also a great time to ask for recommendations on venues, florists, videographers, etc. These wedding photographers are experienced and know the best local vendors to work with. Ask away and get all sorts of great tips!
Finally, I would ask these questions. The get-to-know you questions will help you know if you actually like this person. Plus, they will give you a better idea about their photography experience and what makes them love their job! The technical questions to ask are also crucial. You need to know that your expectations will be met. For example, my turn around time for completed images is always a week (or less) but some photographers turn around time is 2-3 months! You need to know this in advance so you can prepare and make the right decision on which photographer makes sense for you.
The Get-to-Know You Questions:
- How many weddings have you shot & about how many do you do each year?
- What is your favorite part of the wedding day?
- What time of year is your favorite season to shoot?
The Technical Questions:
- What kind of photo edits/post production work do you include?
- What is your turn around time for the finished images?
- Do you have different packages? Can we go through and find one that fits my exact needs?
- How many hours of coverage is included? What are the fees for extra hours?
- What is the deposit and total fee?
- Do you packages include a second photographer?
- Can I see a contract?
- Do you have a backup photographer if you are sick or injured?
- What kind of insurance do you have?
- Can you assure us that you have backup equipment?
- Do you have your own lighting equipment?
March 6, 2017
Katelyn Taylor
