One of the most important vendor selections is without a doubt your wedding photographer. Capturing the moments of the day and the details of your stunning wedding design is especially important. Not only do you want to share your images with friends and family, you will want to post on social media and perhaps have the wedding published. But the timelessness of wedding photos is a lifeline to the past and future of family generations. This single day is drastically significant to the rest of your lives together and capturing it with wedding photography is essential. We have collected advice, insight, and tips to assist you in finding the perfect wedding photographer.
Types of Wedding Photos.
Your photographer can capture much more than the standard family photos. Here you will find the different photo sessions, types of photos, and photographer styles.
Photography Style
- Dark + Moody
- Traditional
- Light + Airy
- Candid
- Editorial
- Ethereal
- Fine Art
- Bright + Bold
- Documentary
Types of Photo Sessions
- Proposal
- Engagement
- Bridals
- Rehearsal Dinner
- Wedding Day
Types of Photos – Day of Wedding
- Room shots
- Details
- Bridal
- Groom
- Wedding Party
- Bride + Groom
- Family
- Getting Ready
- First Looks
- Full Ceremony
- First Dances
- Cake Cutting
- Dancing
- Last Dance
- Send off
Before the Consultation.
It is important to have certain information gathered before your consultation to ensure an accurate quote (we’ve gathered a list below!). Be sure to vet a few photographers before booking a consultation – no two are the same. Each offers different pricing, inclusions, and style.
- Indoor or outdoor ceremony and/or reception.
- Name and location of venue(s).
- Date/Season of wedding.
- Your theme or color scheme.
- Other vendors you have secured.
- General idea of your ideal photog budget.
- Types of photos that are most important to you.
Ask your Photographer.
When selecting your photographer, here are some significant questions to ask to help you choose the right fit.
- What is your style?
- What is included in your wedding packages?
- Based on the list of photos that are important to me, how many hours do I need to hire you for?
- Do you require a second shooter?
- How long before I can expect to receive my wedding photos?
- Do you offer any printing packages or other add-ons?
- Who owns the rights to the photos?
Tips + Tricks.
When it comes to wedding photos, there are a few tricks of the trade that will help you select your photographer.
ONE. If you want plenty of photos of you and our new spouse, consider a First Look. This will give your photographer plenty of time to capture just the two of you.
TWO. Your venue can dictate the style of your photography. Be sure that your photographer is comfortable working within the conditions of your location. (ie. outside, low light, etc).
THREE. Discuss your timeline with your photographer and make sure that you have booked them for enough hours to capture all the photos you requested.
FOUR. Typically, photographers either shoot digital or film and some shoot both. Be sure to ask as it might affect the quality of your photos and the time between wedding and receiving your photos.
FIVE. Consider an engagement or bridal session so you and your photographer can learn how each likes to work so you both are comfortable the day of the wedding.
SIX. No matter how stunning a photographer’s work is, if you don’t have a good vibe with them during the consultation, you are not going to enjoy working with them the day of your wedding. Hire just as much for personality as you do for quality of work.
SEVEN. Know that your photographer will edit photos after your wedding and more than likely will shoot several weddings over a month’s time, so allow for a grace period when waiting for your photos.
EIGHT. Hire a professional! Your aunt is not a wedding photographer. The guy who took your senior pics is probably not a wedding photographer. Wedding photography is an art all to itself. There is so much more involved in the art of wedding photography than simply pointing and shooting.
Photography Credit: Matt Allen Photography