Say Cheese!

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You've got all your wedding planning according to schedule, all you have to do now is find someone to document this momentous occasion and you're golden. But where do you begin? How can you possibly find THE ONE?! There are about a million photographers in the world and all you have to do is find one you wish to receive pictures from, to have for the rest of your life. No big deal. Right? 

Wrong. Choosing a photographer is a big deal, and if you go solely by great prices, you will not be satisfied with the outcome. Not to say that there aren't plenty of talented, reasonably priced photographers out there, but that kind of situation is needle-in-haystack rare. Never fret loves, we are here to help put your mind at ease. Once you find "THE ONE," you will feel completely at peace (once the wedding is over of course).

A Guide to Finding "THE ONE"

Questions to ask at each meeting:

  • (First and foremost) What do their pricing look like? Are there any extra fees (travel, hourly, etc.)
  • What types of photo packages do they offer? What does a standard package include?
  • Are the engagement shots included in a package? Is the reception included? 
  • Does the photographer give out RAW images (usually they don't, but it doesn't hurt to ask) and if NOT, ask if you have a say in which pictures you want and how many. 
  • Will they have the flexibility to incorporate your ideas and preferences into their shots?
  • Do they offer a photo book or print options?
  • Will the photographer provide a contract stipulating services, date, time, costs, and all details discussed?

If you've found a photographer that meets all of your needs, you want to make sure you actually like their style. If all your needs are met, the price is great, but they don't have the "eye" you're looking for, they aren't "THE ONE." You want to love your wedding photos so much that you show them off to everyone. The prints will warm up your new home life together as the new Mr. and Mrs. (plus good photos make your Instagram theme look GREAT). 

You want to get your money's worth, so make sure you go through every detail, have them show you their portfolio, and don't settle for anything less than amazing. Because you're worth it. This is a special occasion that should be treasured for a lifetime, you can cut out that extra string of fairy lights for your outdoor patio dance floor to splurge on an extra set of photos with your new husband. Trust us.

We hope you found this helpful when deciding on a photographer for your big day, and make sure you PLAN AHEAD. Don't wait until the last minute to find that the only available "photographer" is an "aspiring artist" who solely relies on their iPhone camera and VSCO cam filters. No. 

Photographers: What advice can you give our lovely brides-to-be on preparing to make this process go as smoothly as possible?

Adda Sutter