Your Wedding Photographer is one of the most important vendors on your wedding day. You’ll want to look back on your wedding photos with love. They should bring back the joy you felt on your wedding day.

But also, you’ll probably spend more time on the wedding day with your photographer than even your spouse! I mean, think about it. They’re often there from when you’re getting ready, until the reception dies down. So it’s SUPER important that your photographer is someone that you like and trust.

There are so many photographers out there, so it can be overwhelming to pick one. But with so many options, that means there’s one that will be perfect for your special day! These are some things to consider so that you can pick the photographer that’s just right for you!

What Style are You Looking For?

There is so much that goes into photography style, so it’s important to know what you connect with, and pick someone that’s consistent in that style!

For example, do you want a photographer who’s on top of all of the new trends, or would you rather have photos that are timeless and classic? Do you want your photos to look true to what the eye sees? Or maybe you want the photos to be dark and moody. You could also want your photos to have a more light and airy feel.

If you find a photographer whose style you like, make sure you look through their work and can see that it’s consistent. You want to be confident that they can achieve that style you love for your wedding day.

How involved do you want your photographer to be?

Do you want someone who’s very hands-on during the wedding day, or would you rather have someone that takes more of a fly on the wall approach? Do you want a photographer that will help you with posing throughout the day? Or would you rather have someone that’s documenting what’s already happening? It’s important to ask your photographer what a wedding day with them looks like, so you can know if it will be a good fit.

Digital Downloads or Prints

Some photographers offer digital downloads for all of the photos taken. Some only offer prints. And others offer a bit of both. If you envision your wedding photos hanging on the walls of your home, or in a beautiful album, then be sure to work with a photographer that offers that. If you care more about sharing your photos on social media (or just want to print them yourself), make sure your photographer offers the digital files.

Always Meet in Person (or by zoom)

Like we said before, you’ll be spending a lot of time with your photographer! Between an engagement session, planning calls, and the entire wedding day, it’s a lot of time! So make sure it’s someone that you get along with. You want someone that’s comfortable to be around, and puts you at ease so you can have a stress free day. Meeting with them is the best way to gauge their personality and make sure you get along.

A few red flags to watch out for

Make sure you browse the website and look for consistency. Do they have many sample galleries to look at? Also see the section above about style

Do they have an established business with a brand and reputation? Too often, brides book someone new or unknown with low prices, only for them to back out last minute. Don’t let this happen to you! An established brand won’t ruin their reputation by backing out on a bride.

Do they communicate in a timely manner? If they’re going days or weeks without responding, this can be a sign of things to come especially when it’s time for photos to be delivered.

Go With Your Gut

If you feel like something is off, then it probably is. Likewise, if you feel great about things, and there’s no red flags, then go ahead and book so you can have a great wedding photography experience!