Choosing the best photographer for you.

Planning a big, elaborate party for a day so emotionally important to you is not easy, and it's not something you do everyday. All of your friends, the wedding blogs, and magazines will tell you that your photography is extremely important, which means there's a lot of pressure to choose the right one. So how do you make sure you choose wisely?

First, ask your friends

One of the very first and best things you can do is pay attention to the photos your friends post when they get married. When there are photos you've loved, ask your friends who their photographer was and how their experience with the photographer went. Then talk to your planner or venue coordinator and ask what they think and who they enjoy working with. Glowing recommendations from these people are invaluable.

Budget

Budget is always the top concern and priority during wedding planning, and that is certainly just as true when selecting your photographer. Talk to your planner or venue coordinator so you know what to expect before delving into your research. There are photographers for every budget! Our Collections begin at $3800. We suggest narrowing your list down to your top 3 favorites within the price range you're willing to spend.

Style

While this might seem obvious, it can sometimes get lost behind budget. The truth is, style is subjective and can vary wildly between photographers. Do not ignore style. Let's break down what constitutes a photographer's style.

Lighting, posing, editing

  1. Lighting is everything in photography, and how a photographer chooses to use light contributes heavily to their overall style. We prefer natural light when possible, but enjoy introducing off camera lighting (flashes) for dynamic sunset/evening images and of course night-time, reception images. You will find some photographers who enjoy using flash throughout most of the day, or others who almost never use it. These choices can produce very different results, so be sure to pay attention to what you like.
  2. A photographer can be very hands-off, somewhere in between, or very directive with posing throughout your day. A great way to know how "posey" a photographer might be is to check his or her blog, or ask to see a full wedding. We prefer a light, directive style of posing during portraits, with a more hands-off approach to the rest of the day. We will direct you into a pose or an interaction to ensure you look your best, to show off your dress and accessories and flowers, and to encourage genuine smiles and flattering facial expressions. Over the years, we've also found that most of our couples are happiest with a limited number of posed photographs with their wedding party.
  3. Editing, or "post processing," is the final touch a photographer applies to an image. This comes across most prominently as the color and contrast. In your research, you might come across labels like "moody" or "light and airy." I would not put too much stock in those labels as this is very subjective. Instead, make note of what you do and don't like.