It’s important to figure out what your priorities are when planning your wedding. Photography is usually a top priority for couples on their wedding day. There are several things to consider when it comes to how you choose your wedding photographer. I’m going to give you quick rundown of a few main points to lookout for and hopefully this will help you get started.
Budget and Pricing
Budgets are definitely tricky, but there are some tips we can offer that will help you think it through. Most people prioritize finding the right photographer at the beginning of their planning process since this is the one expense of your wedding that lasts beyond the day of the event. If you’re going to spend your time, energy and money on curating the beautiful details of your wedding day, you want to have a photographer that will capture it all and tell your story, authentically and beautifully. From your wedding dress to florals, to venue and location, hair and makeup, reception details, etc.
The average spend for full day wedding photography coverage, from a seasoned photographer, will usually run between $4500 – $6500. Keep in mind that every photographer will price differently. There isn’t an industry standard, and there are several factors that play a role in pricing. These range from demand and experience to location and craft. A single photographer who doesn’t spend much time editing on the backend might charge less than a team of two photographers that are both shadowing the bride and groom, documenting the day from different angles and spending a lot more time post-processing and editing your photos to match the day’s vibe and energy in a style you love. Pricing packages will also very depending on what’s included such as additional hours, shoots and albums. There are a many other ways to save on your budget, but skimping on photography is usually one of the biggest regrets we hear about.
Style and Vibe
When searching for a photographer, you will find that each style is as unique as the person shooting. This ranges from communication and posing to their storytelling and editing. Different editing styles might include light and bright or a little darker and moody. Some might have vibrant colors, a more muted look, or warmer/cooler tones. Some include a few black and white photos while others provide about half and half. For shooting styles, some might be more documentary than posed. If you’ve never hired a photographer before, you probably haven’t spent much time looking at different styles of photography, especially wedding photography.
I would suggest looking for inspiration through social media. Use hashtags and follow the photography pages that post different types of photographers and various styles. If you’re interested in checking out our gallery, you can find it here. The idea is to train your eye to look for styles you like and don’t like. And when you are finally ready to book a photographer for your location, you know what you want. When you find someone you resonate with, have a look at their website, blogs, galleries, social media and get a feel for the variety of shots they capture. Some photographers are so good, their photos look effortless. Even if you think you don’t photograph well, don’t let that discourage you, because a good photographer will know how to direct you in order to produce their style of photos.
Process and Communication
A photographer is someone that will probably be very present along the way when planning your wedding. We will give you tips and suggestions for your timeline, lighting, exits, spaces, and anything else we can help with. Choosing one that communicates well is key. We will also be with you most of the wedding day, so definitely choose someone that you get along with easily. You will be able to gauge this from the moment you inquire, how communicative they are, and how comfortable you are asking questions.
One of our goals is to provide as much information as possible right off the bat and to start a relationship where you are completely comfortable asking questions. After the initial inquiry, we provide all our pricing information upfront. We have extra details written up that answer questions you may not have thought to ask on our How It Works page. Once booked, we send an in-depth wedding guide full of tips to help you get the most from your photography. And about a month before your wedding day, we even send over a questionnaire. This helps us gather all the details we need to help the day move smoothly and efficiently while photographing you.
There you have it.
I hope this helps you get started. We know that booking vendors and planning a wedding can be stressful. But remember, if you book the right vendors, their job is to alleviate some of that stress. Choose people who aren’t afraid to communicate, and choose people whose work you love.
xx Vicky
