Hiring the Right Photographer for YOUR Wedding Day

How do you know that the photographer you choose for your wedding or portrait session is right for you? I’m currently in the middle of my search to find a photographer to take lifestyle photographs of my family, and WOW… i’m realizing what it’s really like for my clients! The market for photography is saturated. That’s a fact. There are so many different types of photographers, at all different experience levels, and they all offer a wide variety of price points. Where to do you START?

Are you looking for someone that is local to you? (sometimes photographers charge travel fees!) Is price even a determining factor for you? Are you more concerned that the photographer has photographed x amount of weddings, that the photographer clearly shows a technical skill in their editing, can work well with changes in lighting, or knows how to pose their subjects? Is it the way they communicate with you, or if they share similar interests with you? There are SO many things to consider. I could go on and on! I totally get why this can be overwhelming!!! The best place to start is with a pen and paper. Think about what is important to YOU. What are your needs?

I wanted to break down my thought process for you guys, what’s going through my head when I’m browsing through websites, sending emails, and looking at other photographer’s social media sites. Basically what my “criteria” is for finding the right artist to work with. Now obviously this is different for everyone, but I thought it would be helpful to read through. At the end of the blog post i’ll include a little recap! Let’s get to it!!!

My “Checklist” for hiring another photographer to work with:

#1. What is the Photographer’s editing style?

• Some might think, wow this is your #1 I wasn’t expecting that! To me, this is crucial when i’m hiring a photographer. (#1 and #2 might be a tie to be honest) When I hire a photographer, I am looking for someone that can capture my memories in a certain way. I already have this preconceived notion of what they’re going to look like and I think that’s SO important to start with for yourself. What are you picturing in your head?? I know I want these bad boys hanging on my wall, so I think to myself, what is going to match with my style/ home decor? For my home I want rich earth tones, a moody feel, and a documentary approach that really captures who we are. So much of this can be expressed through the way someone edits their photos. But also, in the way they photograph and work with lighting!! (#2+3) If there’s a certain style you love, make sure to focus on photographers who specialize in it.

#2. Does the photographer show candid moments/ raw emotions?

• Lots of photographers say they “capture candid moments, raw emotions, everlasting love, etc etc.” but do their photos actually REFLECT that visually? I like to take a look at their “why” what they say they’re all about in their bio, and then compare it to what i’m seeing in their portfolio. Does this match up? Does it match up to the kind of “feel” you’re going for? Do the subjects look uncomfortably posed in their portfolio? or do they have a laid back vibe, are they fun + playful? Do these photographs look effortlessly candid? Or does something feel missing?

#3. Does the photographer show that he/she can work well in different lighting situations?

• This is SO important. (remember this is my list) but it should also be just as important to you. Here’s why: Unless you’re taking photos in a controlled environment, there’s no way of telling what the lighting is going to be like. Finding a photographer that can work with drastic changes in lighting is a MUST especially if you’re having an outdoor wedding. There’s no telling when the sun is going to be at it’s peak, or when there’s going to be a storm. You need a photographer that can tackle these changes, and gracefully. (through their manners, as well as the way they photograph!) This could potentially be stressful, how is your photographer going to handle it? So how can you tell? For me, I can tell how a photographer works with their light by the way they photograph. (and that’s probably easier for me, as a photographer to see than you) but here’s some ways to tell: Do the subjects look completely “blown out?” aka lots of high contrast (white) on their faces? Do you see various harsh shadows? Does it look like the subjects are literally squinting from the sun ha!! If a photograph is photographing indoors does the light look evenly distributed across the subject? Another reason for making sure your photographer can work with any change in lighting, is because it directly reflects their editing style (my #1!) So if your photographer struggles with perfecting the photo IN camera, with the right exposure, then it makes editing a lot more challenging/ not as “ideal” as it COULD be. Last but not least, think about what their portfolio is showcasing. Do they mainly work in natural lighting or studio lighting, and what are your needs? is your wedding both outdoors and indoors? Then you might want to find someone that has a strong portfolio in both lighting scenarios. In my eyes, if you can find someone that has a strong portfolio in both lighting situations, you have someone that truly has an understanding of how lighting works, and how to make the best of it through photography.

#4. Does the photographer’s brand feel cohesive?

• I’ll keep this one short. A cohesive brand is important in so many ways.. but to me when I see good design, and a strong message I’m more likely to gravitate towards that business. I think, wow this business is stands out because i’m scrolling and scrolling and every photographer i’m comparing is starting to look the same at that point. They know what they’re talking about, and it’s a way of showing experience that might not be as direct as a review on facebook or google, but in my opinion outweighs it entirely.

#5. Does the photographer have a wide variety of photographs in their individual galleries? (i’m talking close up shots vs distance shots, wedding details, traditional smiles, fun/laughing, etc.)

• This shows me the photographer is moving around, engaging with their clients and not afraid to try new things! I want someone that will be able to tackle different backgrounds, (which will have different lighting situations), and do so skillfully. I also just WANT the variety of close ups, distance shots, fun/silly pictures, a smiling headshot etc. That variety is important to me because I want to hire someone that will use my time with them efficiently so i’m getting the most out of what i’m paying for! Photography is a luxury service, and it isn’t cheap am I right?

#6. Make sure your personalities mesh up!

• You’re going to be stuck with whatever photographer you pick- for months, maybe even years after booking your wedding! You want to make sure that the person you settle on is someone that won’t immediately get on your nerves the second they open their mouth. You want someone who you can vibe with on a personal level. This photographer may be the one you have photographing your family for years to come, find one that works for you the first go around! If you and your photographer are comfortable with each other, the BETTER your photos are going to turn out.

#7. Does the photographer seem experienced (based on reviews)

• So this IS something I consider. I look at the photographers feedback on facebook or google. But honestly, it isn’t the first thing I’m thinking in my head. I’m not going to pick a photographer solely because they have more reviews. Just because they have a good amount of reviews, doesn’t mean they are BETTER. Plus, I’ve totally been on the consumer end before and had companies bribing me with money to write reviews! OR completely blocking all negative feedback so it “seems” like they’re a 5 star business. Now how legitimate is that? Now i’d hope that most reviews are honest, so it still is something I take into consideration, but that’s why this is close to the bottom of my checklist.

#8. Pricepoint

• So you want to hire a photographer, but you’re on a tight budget. We’ve all been there. There are so many other things to take into consideration before price. Why? Because money can always be made. You can always save your money to be able to afford the photographer that has the experience and portfolio that fits your needs, but money can’t fix your wedding photos that were all blurry due to hand shake (the photographer using the wrong settings in camera) or the photos that are completely blown out because the photographer you used doesn’t have a good understanding of lighting. So ask yourself, are you willing to compromise the quality of your photos? For lets say someone cheaper with less experience, or someone that’s offering more photos in their package for less money. Thats like saying I’m going to buy the $20 knock off shoes that I know will break in a year. Price is always something to consider. We all want the best deal we can get! However, in my opinion, I’d rather gamble with the shoes than my wedding photos.

In summary, think about these 7 things so you don’t accidentally hire the WRONG person!

1. Think about the photographers editing style and make sure it matches up with what your style is!

2. Find a photographer that’s portfolio shows that they capture lots of emotion and candid moments.

3. Make sure the photographer has knowledge, (and experience) working in different lighting situations.

4. Does the photographer’s brand speak to YOU?

5. Does the photographer have a wide variety of photographs in their individual galleries?

6. Make sure you find a photographer that you get along with and that has similar interests as you!

7. How does the photographer’s review section look on Facebook or google?

8. Does the photographer fit your budget?

xx- Katrina Marii