You have fixed the date when you will say ‘I do’ & the preparations are in full swing; you have handpicked the wedding cake, gown, venue, menu, etc.; you have left no stone unturned to make your wedding celebration be cherished for a lifetime & enjoy every moment of the process together. But you also need a person who will perfectly capture all your memorable moments. So it is crucial to hire the right candidate for the job who should also possess the knowledge of different wedding photography styles. However, finding a professional, skilled & budget-friendly photographer can be tedious.
Well, these tips will help you in your quest & avoid unnecessary slip-ups that can ruin your wedding day.
Know your Style
A professional wedding photographer is well versed in different styles like wedding photojournalist, candid wedding photography, fine art wedding photography, lifestyle wedding photography, and portraiture. Each style is unique in itself, so you should do some research on all of them & pick the one which appeals to you.
Do your Research
There are many options, but choosing the best can never be effortless. Look online for the best wedding photographers & shortlist those who meet your requirements. Also, you can ask your married friends or relatives for some wedding photographer tips and, if allowed, go through their wedding photo albums & videos to get an idea about the photographer’s work.
Meet them in person & review their work
There are many wedding photographers near you; when you go through their portfolios online, don’t form your opinion based on what is displayed because only the best is exhibited online, instead shortlist a few, who meet your requirements, meet them in person & review their previous work & get a hands-on experience regarding the quality & consistency of their work, if possible & required, speak to some of their clients to know their experiences.
Check the price tag
If you want to avoid trouble on your wedding day, it is best to fix the budget when hiring a wedding photographer. Finalize the package beforehand & have clear communication between you & the photographer regarding the total cost of the service & do not leave anything for later. But sometimes it’s ok to spend a little extra as these will be the memories you will cherish.
Questions you can ask the wedding photographer
Before you strike a deal, it’s good to have a question & answer session for better clarity;
- How long have they been in the industry?
- Do they have the knowledge of the style of photography you want?
- In case of equipment failure, what backup do they have?
- Who will shoot the wedding? Will he be available on the wedding day?
- Do they charge extra for travel?
- Do they provide a written agreement describing the all-inclusive cost & terms of service?
These are a few questions you should get clarified with the photographer before proceeding further.
Post Production Assistance
You should be aware that your wedding photographer’s work goes beyond your wedding day. It might take 3-5 weeks to prepare the wedding album & film as they have to deal with several high-quality files & images. But don’t forget to clarify questions like;
- How many images do I expect?
- What if a retouch, special effects or changes are required?
- Will there be extra charges for it? etc.
Sign the Contract
Ensure you have received satisfactory answers to all your questions & both you & the photographer have agreed to each other’s terms. Carefully read & sign the contract & keep a copy of it; in case of any dispute or misunderstandings later, you will have written proof. Also, make sure the following points are included in the contract;
- Number of days of shooting
- Quality of images
- Maximum delivery time
- Ownership of images
- Number of edited and unedited images
- Usage rights and copyright issues
- Payment
We hope these wedding photography tips were helpful for you in hiring a professional wedding photographer.
