You are in the process of organizing your wedding day, and you have finally come to the point of choosing a wedding photographer. This can be an interesting challenge, especially if you don't lean towards the artistic or visual side of life. However, there is no need to worry about anything, since we are here to guide you through the process of choosing the perfect wedding photographer that will make all of your wedding wishes come true! Photography is a vast subject, so let’s start narrowing things down!
PRO TIP: Ask your friends, family, and other vendors who they recommend! Nothing speaks to a photographers work more than a good referral from a past bride!
Ask Your Wallet //
When choosing a wedding photographer, before going into the specifics, make sure to check out several different wedding photography studios and discuss budgets with them. See what they can offer you for the budget you have set for hiring a professional, and make sure that the exact package of services will fit your needs. Various packages include one photographer, two photographers, or maybe even more (depending on how many guests you will have), and they can also offer some extra options like printed albums, custom USB memory sticks, printing rights, etc.
Pick the Where Before the Who //
The second most important thing you have to take into consideration is the venue. Before going on a spree and choosing a wedding photographer, make sure to book your perfect spot first. The main reason for this is that the venue lowkey dictates the entire style of your wedding. These venues might also have a list of preferred photographers that work there frequently and have a good reputation! Check out our fav North Florida Venues here! Once the wedding venue is booked, you can show it to the photographer you want to hire. In this way, you can let them know your thoughts and wishes about how to best capture pictures that also show the best features of the place in the background (if they haven't been there before.) The backdrop is such an important aspect, and the wedding photographs are naturally a part of this too, so choose your venue carefully, and take it from there!
All the Wedding Vibes //
Now we are entering the realm of specifics! As we have already mentioned, wedding photography is a vast subject that covers plenty of different styles. The style of your wedding photographer is a key point that you need to focus on once you start browsing through portfolios. So, before going on the hunt for the perfect photographer to capture the best moments of your magical day, sit down with your partner and think about what you truly want in terms of style. If you don’t know where to start, here are some starting points from us that can help you get on the right track:
Classic style – the classic style is timelessness, captured in a frame. Even though it can be on the more formal side, the classic style tends to capture the traditional moments and make them beautiful. The main job of the photographers is to wait and catch the perfect moment, but in this case, it comes with a little bit of help by posing for them.
Artistic documentary – the difference between the classic style and the artistic documentary style is that for this one, you don’t have to pose for the pictures. The photographer (if skillful enough) will have the option to play with the lights and colors and stick in the background, taking pictures, all the while you are enjoying every moment of your big day (getting ready, talking to someone, being in the middle of the ceremony, dancing, cutting the cake). This style is about the high attention to candid emotions, which makes it so fantastic and probably the most sought-after style.
Dark and moody – the edginess this style provides is something anyone can fall in love with. Even though this one is also similar to the classic style, the images provide this sort of moody and dimmed light (thanks to the editing style) and just a little bit of Pinterest flair to your wedding pictures. It is an incredible style to go for.
Editorial – wonderfulness wrapped in an album! The editorial photographers have only one goal – that is to make you look like you have just walked out of a magazine! Believe it or not, these are incredibly beautiful images, and the style of shooting is a very popular one. Anyone that has chosen this particular style ended up with magazine cover material pictures.
Of course, there are many styles, and many photographers even blend several, so it is important to consider what you are drawn to. Which style would flawlessly capture the essence of your love story?
Try Before You Buy //
Whether you are clear or unclear with the instructions given to your photographer, there is only one way to settle them all – by having a test photoshoot such as an engagement session. Wear something classy with your significant other, go to the venue you have chosen or maybe somewhere nearby, and start posing! One of the crucial aspects of choosing your wedding photographer is having a feel of whether the communication is on point or not. Taking some test pictures is the perfect way to check out if you are on the same page! If not, there is always some room for improvements via the channel of open communication and general feedback.
Trust Your Gut! //
As strange as it may sound, after you have gathered all of the information and are still thinking about which one to choose among all the best, always follow your gut. At the end of the day, even though all the portfolios and recommendations matter, the one thing that you truly need to take into consideration is your thoughts and opinions. If you have a particular wedding photography artist that you can’t get out of your head, then that might be the right choice for you!
Final Thoughts //
Whichever style you decide to go with, choosing your wedding photographer can sometimes become a strenuous task. So the bottom line is to try not to add pressure on yourself when deciding so you can think with a clear head. And, at the very end, if you need any kind of assistance, feel free to reach out to us for our recommendations – as Florida wedding videographers, we have a vast list of amazing photographers with every style out there!