How to Find the Right Wedding Photographer
Let’s be honest. There are about 348353047023409 wedding photographers in Calgary (or the city that you live in). That’s amazing! It’s so great that so many people share in the love of weddings and photography! But for brides and grooms, it can make things really tricky.
There are many lists of “How to Choose a Photographer”. But here is one from my own heart, as a photographer and a bride. Technical skill is just a given, so here are a few less talked about tips to choosing a wedding photographer.
1. Have a style in mind. That can be tough! You might ask yourself, “Do I like edgy and modern, soft and romantic, nature, themed etc.?” You might not know yet. Take inventory and step back for a moment. What makes you feel peaceful? What sorts of things do you like to do individually or as a couple? Do you like the outdoors or architecture? Do you prefer edge and boldness, or timeless and romantic?
2. Don’t meet with too many photographers. Just as you shouldn’t try on every dress in the store, meet with only one or two or three that align with your preferences. A low, mid and high range if you prefer. Don’t overwhelm yourself.
3. Find someone you click with. (Pun fully intended!)
4. See if they care about you. No really. A good photographer will try to develop a friendship with you and get to know you as a couple.
5. Find someone organized. The goal is to have you ready and confident on your wedding. Not worrying about what is going to happen next.
6. Ask a lot of questions about who they are. Ask about their philosophy, where they are from. It’s easy to spot a business owner from a passionate, creative, invested business owner/artist. (See the difference there!).
7. Don’t always rely on the words of other vendors or wedding planners. We love to work with each other in this industry and certainly love to help lift each other up towards success. However, it’s important that a bride and groom choose a couple of photographers to interview aside from those recommended by their planner.
8. Ask how many weddings they book in a year. If they are fully booked, that might be great for them but how does that translate into the service you receive and the quality of your final product?
I hope these few tips offer a little insight, and ease a little stress from planning your wedding! After all, this is a time to enjoy and remember fondly.
xo,
Nicole Sarah
www.nicolesarah.com
Need some inspiration? Check out this post on candid family photography and this post on how to prepare for your wedding photography!
