Wedding Planning » How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Wedding Planning :: How to Choose a Wedding Photographer


Choosing the perfect photographer for your wedding has always been like playing Russian Roulette. You never quite know who you are getting or how good they are. You don't know what can go wrong. A studio will charge $500 - $5000 or more for your wedding; the price of a decent holiday. When you shop around for a holiday you surf the internet, read books and magazines. Why not do the same with your photographer? Once the wedding is done, the photos and video are the only record of your important day. It is a one shot deal with no UNDO button. The photographer is an investment worth researching. There are distinct advantages to paying good money for someone who is best in their class. Be sure to plan your ceremony and reception times as close as possible. The fewer hours that you'll have to pay the photography studio, DJ, and reception location, can save you thousands.

What you want in a wedding photographer

We have some technical talk here, but keep in mind that it all boils down to this question: Does the photographer capture the wedding day the way the bride and groom want? Will they create unique and emotional memories that you will cherish the rest of your life?

Wedding photographer schedules often fill up fast, so book early!

Once you've decided to get married and settle on an approximate date, it's best not to waste time searching for your photographer. The better ones are booked heavily into the future so time is of the essence. Keep in mind, bookings of a year in advance are not uncommon these days either.

Where To Start Interviewing Wedding Photographers: Get References From Friends and Coworkers

Your best resource is people you know. Ask around, look at other wedding albums. Do you like the photos and album colour and construction? Are the photo colours bright and clear and all pictures in focus and dust free? Are the group photos nicely composed? Do the poses look fake, unnatural? Are wedding rings obscured? Is there detail in the bride's gown and cake or are they too bright and washed (a common pitfall) out from an overexposed shot? Would you want that wedding album as your own? The photographer's personality can make or break your wedding. A good experienced photographer is patient, professional, friendly, always smiling. Only this type of person can motivate a large group into action. Don't always trust the "bridal warehouse" or "bridal city" type operations with one stop shop "Wedding Packages" unless you are really sure of the photographer's reputation. Most hotels, resorts, caterers, etc. can recommend photographers as well, but beware, many caterers get kickbacks so you can't always get an unbiased opinion. What does a cook know about photography? If they knew anything, they'd be photographers. Decent resorts don't take kickbacks, but they recommend photographers they know to be reliable, as their reputation as a fine resort is at stake. Keep in mind that sample photos a resort may show you were throw away photos given to them by the studio and may not be as good as the studio's true ability.