After you get married, you’ll want to look back at your wedding day—not just at the time you spent with your spouse but also with the family and friends who came to celebrate with you. Whether you want a portrait above your mantle or a wedding photo book, a good wedding photographer is essential to preserving the memories of your special day.
It’s not just about finding a good wedding photographer—it’s also about finding the right photographer for your ceremony. As you plan your wedding, start thinking about your photographer early; finding the right one requires careful consideration and research.
Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer
Set Your Budget
As with many parts of the wedding planning process, your first step should be setting a budget. Beyond the photographer’s initial price, other things can affect costs from there, including:
- Photo quality
- Number of working hours
- Number of extra photographers
- Travel for destination weddings
- Package inclusions, like album books and thumb drive copies
Make sure you talk to your photographers to fully understand everything that’s included in the price.
Choose Your Photography Style
Consider the mood you and your partner want your wedding photos to reflect. Most wedding photos you’ve seen were likely taken in traditional style, formal and posed. There’s nothing wrong with traditional style—it’s a classic for a reason. However, there are several other photo styles to consider if you’re looking for something more unique:
- Photojournalistic: characterized by candid photos that capture genuine emotion
- Editorial: posed photos with a high-end feel—think spreads in a fashion magazine
- Black and white: provides a vintage, old-school feeling
- Landscape: incorporates breathtaking views of nature
- Aerial: taken from high above, often by a drone
- Dark and moody: low-lit, dramatic, and romantic
Once you’ve decided on a photography style, you can narrow your search from there. Check your photographer candidates’ portfolios to see if they have experience shooting in the style you’re looking for.
Explore the Reviews
Research is everything. Check out your photographer candidates’ social medias, websites, and online reviews. Explore examples of their work and ensure their past customers were satisfied and happy with their final results.
If you’re struggling to find a potential photographer, explore your wedding venue’s hashtag on Instagram to find tagged photographers. Alternatively, ask for suggestions from your friends or family.
Interview the Candidates
Once you’ve got your selections narrowed down, it’s time to interview your photographer candidates. Here are some questions to cover:
- Are you licensed? Are you insured, including liability insurance?
- How many years of experience do you have with wedding photography?
- Have you ever worked at our wedding venue or reception venue?
- What pricing and packages do you offer? Are albums and/or prints included?
- Can we request specific shots?
- What is the turnaround time?
- What will you and your assistants be wearing?
Your gut instinct about the photographer is just as important as their answers to these questions. For whatever reason, if you don’t feel confident in their ability to deliver quality photos, it’s best to look elsewhere.
Test Your Candidate During Engagement Photos
Once you’ve settled on a photographer, having them take your engagement photos is a relatively low-risk way to ensure they’re the right choice for you. Remember—you can always redo your engagement photos, but the wedding is the real deal. Talk with your spouse about the engagement photos and ensure you’re both happy with the results. After that, it’s likely safe to book them for the big day.
Weddings at Blackberry Ridge
Blackberry Ridge is a premier wedding venue located in Sartell, serving Central Minnesota. Our rustic landscape is the perfect place to tie the knot, offering gorgeous views to showcase the magic of your special day. Explore our offerings for wedding packages on our website, or get in touch with our staff today!
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