It may seem like the search of the century: finding a wedding photographer that checks off all of your ‘must have’ boxes. But if I can be any help – here’s a few things that are so important to consider when you’re searching for a wedding photographer near you!
1. Find a photographer with a personality that fits with yours.
You’ll want to be comfortable around your photographer when your wedding day comes around, and one of the biggest factors for this is personality. Definitely schedule a phone call or in-person meeting with the photographer you’re considering so you can get a feel for how your personalities mesh.
2. Find a photographer with the capability to capture the entire day.
As a photographer, I know for a FACT that there’s so much more to a wedding day than just the pretty sunset photos of the bride & groom. The true test of a photographer is how well they handle indoor lighting, unplanned moments, and capturing your story as a whole. While bridal portraits are so important for you to remember your day, so are the moments when you’re listening to your maid of honor speech, when you have your first dance, when you walk down the aisle, etc.
Ask to see a full gallery from the photographer you’re considering! A full gallery will let you see what aspects of the day they put an emphasis on, and how their style portrays each moment. Plus, when you look through a full gallery, you can see how well the photographer tells the story of the wedding day! This is going to help you solidify whether or not you’ll hire that photographer, so in my opinion – this is MUST!
3. Find a photographer with awesome reviews.
While talking to a photographer can help you get to know their personality, their reviews will tell you truthfully what type of person they are, how effective they are with organization, and their overall lasting impression on their brides. You’ll want to look for:
-People talking about the customer service of the photographer
-Raving about their obsession with their final photos
-Mention of their leadership and handling the bridal party
-Talk about staying on track with timeline
There are so many things to look for in reviews, but ultimately, you’ll want to hear your ‘must haves’ being mentioned by others.
4. Find a photographer with good communication.
We all know that there’s nothing worse than being ghosted. Right off the bat, your inquiry will start a conversation with a photographer. Make sure the photographer you’re considering is timely and personal with their responses. No, they don’t need to answer you within 5 minutes but if it takes 5+ days to hear back from a photographer without an automatic email explaining why, you should probably keep looking. Photographers are busy, no doubt, but their communication will only get worse after you book them. Your time is important and you want to make sure that everyone is using each other’s time in an effective and respectful manner.
The photographer for you is out there – although they won’t be perfect, they will have the attitude that you’ll want to surround yourself with on your big day! Believe me and don’t settle; you DESERVE an awesome photography experience from your wedding day.
With all of that being said, I wish you all the best in finding the right photographer for your day!
