Your wedding day can be filled with joy, excitement and wonderful memories. It is so important to be able to beautifully capture these moments on film to carry with you through the years to share with family and friends. If you are having a small and intimate wedding or destination wedding, there is nothing more important than being able to rely on your photographer to record your day.
Trying to find a professional photographer for your wedding can be a daunting task. There are thousands of freelancers and independent companies that you will have to sort through. It can be tough to know if you are really getting what you want and need. Take a look at some of the helpful tips we have listed to help you out in the process of hiring the right wedding photographer for you.
Choose Your Style
Having an idea of what you would like to have your pictures look like is the first step to getting the photographer that is right for you. Choose from Documentary, Candid and Dramatic stylings and find out what your photographer’s strengths are. You may be looking for a portrait style or a more edgy and bold look to your photos.
Do Your Research
You can find a ton of information for your search online. Any credible photographer should have an established website that will give you examples of their work. Check the reviews from past customers to find out if there have been any issues with other clients. Finding out how long the company or freelancer has been in business is an important indication of their level of experience.
Interview In Person
Before setting up a batch of interviews, make sure that the candidates that you are looking at are available for the date of your wedding. Having a good personal rapport with your photographer is an important part of building trust and the ability to relay exactly what your needs are. Having a great connection to your photographer can also make your day a lot more enjoyable for everyone. Make sure that all of your candidates show up with a full and varied portfolio to display.
Confirm Your Photographer
When using a larger company, it is important to pin down which photographer will be attending your wedding if more than one works for the company. Find out if it is just one person or if there will be more than one shooter or an assistant there as well. Ask if there is a backup shooter that is booked in case anything goes wrong with your original photographer, just in case.
Compare Pricing
The range of cost for your wedding photographer can be wide and depends mostly on your needs. If you are having a small intimate wedding you may only want a few formal photos taken, or you may be going big and want a wedding photographer Dubai-style with multiple photographers over a few days. Make sure to work within your budget and be sure to know what the standard contract includes and what things will be extra. If you want the photographer for the full day, the weekend or just for the ceremony, these things will always impact the price.
Know What to Expect from Post-Production
Most proofs should be ready for viewing within 6 – 8 weeks. Decide in advance how many copies of main photos, high or low-resolution finish, special effects and retouching options you are thinking of adding, to be able to get an accurate pricing list. It is important to know whether you can make prints yourself or if the photographer will retain the rights to your proofs for future copies.