If you’re in the middle of planning your dream wedding, you deserve a top-notch photographer who can transform your big day into a stunning work of art. After all, this is your chance to celebrate your love story with all of your favorite people.
When choosing a wedding photographer, there’s a range of personal preferences and criteria for you to consider. From pricing and experience level to editing style and reviews, you may be feeling overwhelmed with all of these components.
Finding the right wedding photographer can be the difference between breathtaking imagery and a bland, traditional photo album that you never open again. If you’re not quite sure how to choose a wedding photographer, allow us to help with this detailed guide!
Set Your Budget
While pricing may not be the most exciting item on your must-haves list, we believe that it should be the first thing you consider when choosing a wedding photographer. It’s important to communicate with your partner to determine the overall importance of this service, as well as the amount you’re willing to invest.
In Florida, the average starting cost for wedding photography is $2,500, but you could pay more or less based on quality, services, and experience. Whether you’re planning a luxury wedding or an intimate elopement, you can expect a wide range of prices based on the photographer’s qualifications.
We highly advise against price-shopping, as this can expose you to group of photographers who may be unreliable, inexperienced, and even unprofessional. Setting your budget beforehand takes away some of the guesswork, empowering you to be more direct about what you want for your wedding day.
Review Their Background and Experience
Another critical point to consider when choosing a wedding photographer is their training and time spent in the industry. While experience doesn’t necessarily translate into quality, it can give you a good idea of what to expect.
Photographers who are relatively new to the industry (0 – 2 years) may offer lower pricing that appeals to couples planning a wedding on a budget. However, newer photographers are less likely to have the wisdom and expertise that comes with several years of training in wedding photography.
Intermediate (3 – 10 years) and expert (10+ years) photographers often charge a higher price for their services, but this is typically due to the equipment, professionalism, and skill that they provide. If you and your partner value experience greatly, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider.
Research Different Photography Styles
This may sound controversial, but at Matthew Harris Photography, we believe that your wedding photos should look and feel like you! This means that it’s crucial for you to find a wedding photographer whose style matches your own.
What kind of editing style are you looking for? Light and airy, dark and moody, or true to color? Whatever style best suits your needs, there is a professional wedding photographer who can capture your vision perfectly.
As far as posing, you may prefer candid, natural images or something more formulaic and traditional. If you’re unsure of your preferred style, we recommend doing some research via Instagram and Pinterest to help nail down your vision.
Check out Wedding Photography Packages
For most wedding photographers, their services are offered in the form of complete packages. This means that you can expect a custom collection of services that aligns closely with your needs.
If you’d like to get an idea of what a wedding photography package includes, we suggest checking out your favorite photographers to see what they offer. Make a note of services and add-ons that stand out to you, as you can discuss these in-person with potential photographers.
From online wedding galleries to engagement photos, it’s important to note that different photographers offer a variety services. Conducting research can help you to decide which services and add-ones make sense for your special day.
Referrals and Reviews
When planning the happiest day of your life, things can unfortunately become more stressful and overwhelming than you would expect. For this reason, it’s great to have a support system of friends and family to help you with difficult decisions like this.
Maybe you’ve a got a close friend or cousin who was married recently; why not get their recommendations for wedding photography? Wedding venues also tend to keep a preferred vendors list of wedding professionals that they’ve partnered with.
If there’s no one in your inner circle who can offer a recommendation, the best thing you can do is check out a photographer’s reviews. Hearing from former clients can give you great insight into the type of experience and level of quality that you can expect.
Meet With Them in Person
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, the next step is having an in-person meeting with potential photographers. This can help you to determine whether you really trust this person with the most important day of your life.
You can prepare for this meeting by drafting a list of questions that allow you to share your priorities and expectations. When you share the things that you value the most, it creates a foundation of trust and accountability with your photographer.
More than a collection of pretty pictures, your wedding album should be a clear reflection of your love for each other. While there are plenty of professional photographers out there, the perfect wedding photographer makes you feel like your story will be seen and valued in every image.
Conclusion
Planning your fairy tale wedding can be a stressful task, but finding the right wedding photographer shouldn’t be. With this guide, you can cancel out all the noise and focus on the most important things to simplify your decision.
Regardless of your budget, background, and preferred style of wedding photography, you deserve wedding images that take your breath away. If you follow these steps, you can find a wedding photographer that will help you realize your wildest dreams.
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