This article is for anyone looking for a wedding photographer and wanting to prepare for their wedding properly. If you’re also planning a wedding, be sure to check out the information I’m sharing. This article will also include a list of questions you should definitely ask your future photographer. So, let’s start with preparation, then talk about budgeting and saving, and finally, choosing a photographer.
If you’re at the stage of selecting the right professional, you’ve already chosen the date, registration time, and venue for the event. Pay particular attention to the venue; planning your day should begin with the reception. Once you’ve completed this, you can download the preparation plan, print it, and begin checking off the completed items.
Wedding photography services and budget
To avoid blowing your budget (a problem for many), The only things I don’t recommend skimping on are the host, photographer, and restaurant food. There are obvious reasons for all of this. Everything else can be optimized.
Wedding photography services and guarantees
In addition to the basic questions, be sure to check with the specialist about the possibility of handing over the footage on the day of the event. A true professional should offer this themselves, but you should also consider it. A situation in which the photographer leaves after the event and takes all the footage with them should not happen. There is a risk of loss. Always make sure to have backups.
Remember that hiring a wedding photographer is specifically for the guaranteed preservation of your photos. If you feel there are no guarantees, don’t hesitate to decline. There are plenty of worthy professionals in this field these days. You’re sure to find the perfect one for you.
Need a wedding photographer with guarantees?
In this case, review the list of the most important questions. Many photographers shudder at these questions, as some of them are quite awkward. If you notice that the person you’re approaching is hesitant, it’s time to reconsider. If you need a wedding photographer with guarantees, clarify all the details and be sure to sign a contract! Also, pay attention to how the person speaks and dresses. You and your guests will be pleased to see a neatly dressed professional at the reception. Such a person is a person you want to connect with.
To keep track of all the necessary calculations and stay within your budget, you’ll need a budget planner. This file is in Excel format. If you have a place to open it, you can definitely use it.
If you don’t know this program, then use one of the paid applications for phones, there are many of them now.
How to evaluate a photographer’s portfolio?
You’ll likely have to consider many wedding photographer candidates. How do you find the perfect one and entrust the memories of such an important day to them? Find the answers in this article.
Focus on photography
When looking at a portfolio, first and foremost, pay attention to how the photographs were taken. What angles, framing, shooting style, photo editing, and handling of emotion does the chosen professional demonstrate? These are the ways your story will be told.
The content of the image should be secondary. If you don’t like the wedding’s style or color scheme, that doesn’t mean the photographer isn’t right for you. Don’t like the style of another bride’s dress? How well did the photographer capture it? If the dress is beautifully presented, yours will look great too!
Deciding on the photographer’s style
Every professional photographer has their own, often recognizable, style. Before inquiring about the terms of their collaboration, pay attention to their shooting style. Chances are, the style will be consistent regardless of the wedding, the setting, or the newlyweds’ appearance.
Don’t expect any radical changes from your photographer when working on your wedding. If their portfolio primarily features reportage photography with an emphasis on emotion, or they focus more on portraits and staging, then your wedding will be no different.
Pay special attention if a photographer has a completely different style, changing from wedding to wedding. You’re likely dealing with a scammer using someone else’s work.
Coincidence of priorities
Professionals may prioritize their photography differently. Some will focus more on details and design, while others will prioritize portraits of the bride and groom. It’s important that these priorities align with yours. That’s why it’s so important to view full wedding series, not just Instagram shots.
Sometimes accessories, decor, and floral arrangements outweigh the newlyweds themselves. Of course, these photos are also essential. Therefore, pay attention to how much time is devoted to each moment of the wedding and be sure to coordinate your wishes with a professional.
Look how different the shots in the selection below are.
Consider the specifics of the shoot
A wedding photographer’s work is very different from stylized photoshoots and has its own specific requirements. A professional must be able to work in any environment, connect with different types of people, and be in the right place at the right time. Unlike staged photoshoots, they must be able to work in any location, in any lighting, with non-professional models, and so on.
If you only see a photographer’s work featuring love stories or studio photoshoots, they likely don’t understand the specifics of working at a real wedding. An experienced wedding photographer knows how to improvise, adapt to unexpected situations, understand the timing of the event, and capture the perfect moment. A true professional can capture decor, portraits, interiors, staged scenes, and photojournalism with equal beauty. Keep this in mind when viewing their work.
Individual work
I know for sure that everyone is different and every couple is unique. Therefore, it’s crucial that a photographer, regardless of their style, works with a personalized approach. Of course, there are classic examples of photographs that will be repeated from wedding to wedding. However, your wedding shouldn’t be just another “product off the assembly line.”
Even if you don’t know how to pose properly, a true professional will always help you open up and evoke the right emotions. A true wedding photographer is someone with a creative approach who, even when shooting in the same location for the 1,000th time, will still seek out new angles.
And of course, before making a final choice, talk to the candidate in person. Whether you’ll enjoy the shoot or be nervous and anxious depends largely on communication. You should like the photographer not only as a professional, but also as a person.
Answers to frequently asked questions.
Answer: I’ve been photographing weddings since 2013. I’ve photographed over 1000 weddings.
Answer: Payment can be made in cash or by bank transfer.
Answer: Yes, I work only under a contract.
Answer: Yes, a deposit is required upon signing the contract.
Answer: On this website, in the ” Reviews ” section, or on social media.
Answer: Photos are ready within one month.
Answer: It depends on the chosen package and the wedding timing. On average, 50 photos per hour.
Answer: Yes, of course. Send me a request and I’ll send you a link to the full weddings.
Answer: Yes, but the assistant’s work is paid separately.
Answer: All photos are color- and light-processed, straightened, and have skin imperfections removed on large portraits.
Answer: Photo printing is not included in the price, but you can order it separately.
Answer: Yes, I make photo books. The price for a photo book starts at 5000 Rupees and depends on the materials, number of spreads, etc.
Answer: It all depends on the chosen service package. Some people need the shoot starting at the registry office, while others need it from early morning until late evening.
Answer: If you take the full-day package, there is no extra charge.
Answer: I have my own transport. I can even take some of your guests with me. Or I can travel with you and take photos.
Answer: I dress formally. A shirt, trousers, and flat shoes. We can also discuss your wedding style and I’ll adapt to it.
Answer: Absolutely. This is also part of the photographer’s job.
Answer: If I’ve already been to your venue, this isn’t necessary. If I haven’t, I can either come in person or ask them to take panoramic photos for me on site.
Answer: Yes, we can. There’s a separate clause in the contract that specifies this. And there’s no extra charge for it.
Answer: All events remain in my storage forever. However, I also recommend that clients keep a backup copy.
Answer: Yes, I will be working at the wedding.
Answer: Yes, I do such shoots and highly recommend them for a valuable experience. I offer a discount on these types of shoots when you book a date.
Answer: In my entire career, this has never happened, but it’s also specified in the contract. If I’m suddenly unable to attend, I’ll offer several replacement options, and you can choose the one that suits you best.
Answer: Yes, I always take two sets of equipment.