Finding your perfect wedding photographer....
by Guest Blogger Carrie Wildes

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” at least that’s what I’ve always heard.  What couple doesn’t want beautiful, memorable, and breathtaking pictures of their wedding story?  When it came time to choose a photographer for my wedding 5 years ago, it seemed choosing one took a thousand questions!  As a previous bride, and now running a successful wedding photography business, if I had it do all over again, how would I go about finding a photographer?

Magazines, blogs, even the Yahoo! homepage, these days everyone is an “expert” and has an opinion on how a couple should go about choosing their wedding photographer.  During one of my bridal consultations the bride pulled out a list of 25 questions, and before we started she said “I don’t know why I’m asking you these but that’s what the magazine told me to do!” 

So, I’ve compiled my list of realistic questions based on personal and professional experience.  Now granted, no list like this can be perfect because choosing a wedding photographer is an intensely personal choice.  Feel free to add a question I missed or take away one you don’t like. 

Questions to ask your photographer:

1. How will the day flow in capturing our wedding story?
This is more important than you think.  How do they capture the getting ready, ceremony, details, reception, candids etc.?  How do they help you create a schedule so that family members, wedding party, and the team of wedding professionals can work together to make the day run smoothly?
 
2.Do they offer coverage with multiple photographers?
Is the 2nd photographer actually “shooting” or just an assistant that carries bags and equipment?  With two photographers you will get multiple perspectives of the ceremony, and more photos of simultaneous events (like girls and guys getting ready, etc.).

3.Are they a licensed and insured business?
Some venues require the photographer to have a standard $1-2 million dollar business liability policy, yet many wedding photographers do not have this coverage.  Every photography business should be operating with the proper insurance to protect themselves, you, and your guests.

4.Do they have backup equipment?
If your photographer shows up with one camera body and something happens (water spills, drops, etc.), then the show is over! So be sure to ask them if they have backup lenses, bodies, batteries etc.

5.How will your images be edited?
Some photographers will only edit the images that you purchase or those that will be going in your album, while others will edit every picture in your set of proofs.  Neither way is right or wrong, but you should be comfortable with the final product.  If the photographer does not edit them at all, RUN!

6.Ask to see wedding albums or online galleries from a single wedding.
Seeing a portfolio book of all a photographer’s favorite images is much different from seeing an entire wedding from start to finish or flipping through the pages of an album from one wedding.  Personally, I prefer to show albums to prospective clients that our couples have purchased for themselves.  I believe that shows a true representation of what we provide to our clients.  And a note, if there are portfolio books make sure to ask if you can see an online wedding gallery from a recent bride.

Questions to ask yourself:

1. How important is photography to me?
Your wedding is a significant investment no matter who is footing the bill.  So many times I’ve heard “photography is most important to me”, and yet it has received a miniscule amount of the budget!  If photography is truly the most important part of your wedding, then that should be reflected in your budget.    You may have to ask yourself if it’s more important that guests eat steak instead of chicken (Can you even remember the food at most weddings?  Neither can I!),  or that you work with the photographer of your dreams?  There is a reason that a Tiffany diamond is more expensive.  The design, the process, the planning, and the materials are all at a different level.  It’s the same with photography. Generally, if one photographer is significantly less expensive than another, you are almost guaranteed that the service and quality is going to be lower.  That may not be popular, but it’s the truth!

2.What kind of style fits you and your event?
Photojournalism, editorial, traditional, glamour, portraiture; there are a number of ways to describe a photographer’s style, but in the end  it comes down to what you like and the type of wedding you want.  Choose a photographer based on the photographs they create and the service they offer, not on how they describe themselves on the web.

3.Do our personalities click?
Reviewing someone’s work online and actually interacting with them are two very different things!  I always tell my brides that whoever you choose is going to be with you and your guests your entire wedding day. It’s very important that you are comfortable with them and how they will treat your family, friends, and guests.  They start with you in your dressing room, and stay with you until the end of the day.  Make sure your photographer is someone you like! 

4.Do you love their work and trust them?
You are entrusting your photographer to capture one of the most important and happiest days of your lives, and that’s a big responsibility!  If you don’t absolutely love the work that you see and totally trust them to do an amazing job, then guess what, they aren’t a good fit! 

I hope this helps. Choosing a photographer is important, but it can be done!  The best of luck to you in your search for a great match.  Hopefully you’ll find someone that will do an amazing job and create memories for you and your family for a lifetime!

As a special bonus, Carrie is offering a complimentary engagement session for any reader in the Tampa Bay area that mentions this blog story.
Contact Carrie directly at 813.480.0324 to learn more.
Visit Carrie online at www.CarrieWildes.com


Thank you for reading!
Best,
Sarah
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