How to choose a wedding photographer is perhaps the most commonly asked question and quite a significant choice to make when planning your big day. Your photographs will preserve everlasting memories, capturing the feelings, joy, and beauty of your wedding. However, with numerous photographers offering various styles and packages, it can get tricky to navigate and select the best one to hire. This guide will lead you through the process, enabling you to pick a photographer who will live up to your expectations and vision.
What Wedding Photography Style Do You Need?
Image Credits: Rahul Rana Photography
Understanding different photography styles is essential to understand how to choose a wedding photographer for your special day. Some popular wedding photography styles are as follows:
Documentary / Photojournalistic Style
Image credits: Kevin Mullins Photography
This is all about getting the real moments. The day unfolds as it should as the photographers capture real feelings and interactions without posing. It’s ideal for couples who want real, unposed pictures that tell a story.
The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) defines wedding photojournalism as:
Wedding photography that employs the craft, techniques, and ethos of photojournalism — telling the actual story, not directing or creating the story — to the happy start of a couple’s life together.
Creative Photography
Artistic photographers employ artistic angles, composition, and techniques in capturing unique and artistic wedding photographs. Photographers tend to use elements like reflections, silhouettes and dramatic lighting to impart a personal touch to your wedding album.
Fine Art Photography
Fine art wedding photography is all about the aesthetics. With soft lighting, pastel tones, and thoughtful poses to create elegant and timeless shots, fine art photography is preferred by many. Photographers will often photograph on film or mimic film-like qualities digitally for a romantic, dreamy look. Fine art photography tends to smooth out photos, lightly blurring contrasting tones, as noted by the Fine Art photographer Manon Douard.
Classic / Traditional Photography
Classic photographers emphasise posed portraits and key moments, making sure that all important frames are captured. The approach is predictable and generally structured, offering a detailed account of your wedding day.
Editorial Wedding Photography
Image Credits: Aude Lucas
Editorial wedding photography, directly inspired from fashion magazines, tends to be elegant and dramatic. Photographers set up scenes to create engaging photographs that enhance couples’ intentional posing details in a glamorous manner. In fact, this photography style is popular among couples who want sophisticated and elegant-looking photographs.
Portrait Wedding Photography
Portrait photographers specialise in taking pictures of people and formal group settings, emphasising expressions and emotions. They specialise in capturing the personalities of the bride and groom as well as the wedding guests in well-composed photographs.
How To Choose A Wedding Photographer That Truly Aligns
Choosing a photographer goes beyond just the portfolio. Ensure you consider the following factors to find your perfect fit:
Have they done similar weddings?
Review full wedding galleries to determine consistency and quality in different environments. Ask them if they’ve ever shot weddings of the same size, location, or same cultural traditions as yours. Experience in shooting similar weddings shows that they can provide what you need specifically.
Do You Feel Comfortable Around Them?
Your photographer will be around for the intimate moments, so you must get along with them. Have a meeting or do an engagement session to determine how comfortable you feel if your personalities truly mesh well.
Can You Rely on Their Professionalism?
Review client comments and feedback to determine if they are good communicators, responsible, and prompt. The photographer must be timely, responsive, well-planned, and thoughtful in organisation.
Are Your Expectations Aligned?
Describe your vision, style and key shots in detail. Tell them what they can expect from you and how they can achieve it. Good communication prevents future miscommunication and ensures satisfaction with the final product.
So, How To Choose A Wedding Photographer With Production And Delivery In Mind?
Beyond style and compatibility, consider these practical aspects: What’s Your Price Tag—and Are There Special Packages? Establish your camera budget in advance and inquire about package specials. Moreover, certain photographers offer personalised packages that cater to varying budgets, e.g., various hours of coverage, albums, and other services.
What should you learn about Post-Production and Delivery?
Describe the editing process, how many edited photos you will deliver, and how long it will take. Ask if they give sneak peeks a short time after the wedding and how the final output will be delivered (e.g., online gallery, USB).
What Major Points Should the Contract Include?
There must be a written contract that includes project responsibilities, payment schedule, cancellation policy, and the standby emergency plan. Read the terms carefully and ensure that all verbal commitments are put in writing.
Enquire about their availability, experience with similar weddings, photography style, backup equipment, editing process, and delivery timeline. Request to see full wedding galleries and discuss your specific needs and expectations. Wedding photography costs vary based on location, experience, and package inclusions. On average, couples allocate 10-15% of their total wedding budget to photography. Determine your priorities and choose a package that offers the best value within your budget.Hiring a wedding photographer