Choosing the Perfect Photographer for Your Wedding: Tips & Tricks
Meta Description: The Wedding Photographer spends the most amount of time with you apart from your partner. Here are the Tips to find the perfect photographer for wedding.
Did you know that apart from your partner your photographer for the wedding spends the maximum amount of time with you on your wedding day? So, it’s a pretty important decision to choose the perfect photographer for your wedding day.
It’s one of the most memorable days in your life. There is a treasure trove of beautiful moments that have to be captured. It is a day filled with several emotions – joy, laughter, tears, and excitement. So, picking the right photography team is important. With so many options available on social media and the internet, it can get overwhelming to pick one. This is why we have created this comprehensive guide on how to select the right photographer for the wedding. This will include factors like style, experience, and budget. It also has a checklist of questions to ask probable photographers that will help you understand the photography team better.
So, before you sign the dotted line of the contract, make sure you go through this, twice!
1.What is the style of the photographer for the wedding? 
Every wedding photography team has their style. Understanding this is very crucial as this has to match your style. Do you prefer a more candid shot with less editing or perfectly edited and posed images? If you and your partner want a photojournalistic style, does that photographer do that? Check multiple portfolios to understand their style sense and take time to decide if that is what you want to go with.
2. What experience does the team have?
Whether you are looking for a team or a freelance wedding photographer, each member shooting the wedding should be experienced. Having technical and artistic skills is very important. Check with your probable photographers on how many weddings they have done. Ask them about their experience of shooting in different lighting conditions and locations. An experienced photographer will have the right answers for you.
There is nothing wrong with going with a photographer with less experience, after all, everyone will start somewhere. But understand the scale of your event and then decide. Experienced teams will know how to navigate the intricacies of a wedding, ensuring that nothing important is missed. Something as small as, positioning yourself perfectly for the bridal entry, when you know 100’s of phones are going to be out, is something that an experienced photographer will know.
3. What is your budget?
Good wedding photography is not cheap. But at the same, it is essential for you and your partner to zero down on a tentative budget. This will help you shortlist from your list of potential photographers. It will allow you and your partner to focus on the photographer for the wedding who is within the budget range.
It can get tempting to cut your budget instead of a designer lehenga or a fancy destination. But what is the point of it all if it’s not going to get captured well? Look at wedding photography as an investment, rather than an expense. You are investing in capturing your most important memories. Do not cut short here!
Want more details? Check out these detailed 5 things to ask yourself before looking out for a wedding photographer!
Comprehensive List of Questions to Ask Wedding Photographers:
- Are you available on these dates and will you be willing to travel to the wedding location?
- How many weddings have you done, which are similar to ours?
- What is your predominant photography style?
- Do you have a portfolio where I can see full weddings you have shot?
- Do you offer different packages? What do they include?
- Who will be shooting every event – you or only your team?
- What is your backup plan if you/your team have any last-minute emergency?
- Do you have a contract?
- Who owns the rights to the photographs? Will you be using my wedding pictures for your marketing?
- What is the delivery timeline after the event is done?
- Can I talk to any of your past clients?
- Do you offer additional services like album printing or designing?
These questions will help you gain insight into a potential photographer’s way of working. The professionalism and methodology will be seen in these answers. It is very important to have a clear line of communication with the photography team for your wedding.
This is another checklist that you should use while you evaluate potential photographers for weddings!
- Compatibility – Apart from a skill set and experience, it’s crucial that you like your photography team. These are the people who will interact with your family and friends and you want a team who is compatible. Before you sign a contract, we recommend meeting the team at least once. You have to feel at ease with them. Check out the top things that you must tell your potential wedding photographer!
- References and reviews – Check out comments on social media posts or other review sites that will give you honest reviews. You can also ask potential photographers for references from past clients to have a word with.
- Contract details – Scan the contract with a fine-tooth comb. Check if all details are covered and what is included in the package. If you are not satisfied, go back and ask for changes. Ensure everything is cleared and outlined before you sign.
At Vivek Krishnan Photography, we have a mandated process that is similar for all clients which helps us work better as a team. Photographers and videographers can help each other immediately in cases of emergency or last-minute requests when everyone is in sync
Choosing the right photographer for weddings includes research, effort in checking the work and references, and personality fit. It is an important decision that you and your partner should take after careful consideration.
When you are doing your research, pay attention to the photography styles, their experience, and budget. These should be the first three things to consider. Take your time and do not rush the decision. Asking the right questions will get you clear answers on what you need in your wedding photography team. You have to understand that your wedding photographer is not just another vendor. They are the team that will narrate your wedding story through images. To ensure that your wedding memories are beautifully captured and preserved for years to come, making this decision with all the information in hand is important.
Take your time, ask the right questions, and trust your instincts. After all, your wedding photos will be a timeless memento of one of the most special days of your life.
