Photography

What You Should Think About Before Hiring A Wedding Photographer

Flowers, décor, cake, they will all be gone the moment you leave a wedding hall but what shall remain with you for years ahead are the images you paid to preserve.

wedding flowers on table

When you’re narrating the story of your life to your children years in the future, it’s your wedding pictures that will make you nostalgic. These wedding pictures will be the ones preserving all the details of your union even if you forget them.

indian wedding couple on stone steps looking upFrom Wedding’s by Devinder Singh Bagga
Who you choose to capture your moments while you’re involved in the wedding ceremonies is a decision you don’t want to take lightly. Consider the following points to know what exactly to look for in a wedding photographer.

  • Style: When you start looking for wedding photographers, odds are that you will get a few recommendations from friends and family about who you should choose.wedding photography of bride in bridal dress in front of window
    From Candid Photography & Cinematography by Riya Sangoi
    However, at this point, all you can be sure of is that the wedding photographer they hired had an overall style that suited them (which is why they were recommended) and this may not suit you. E.g. They were delighted by pictures taken by a traditional wedding photographer but you might want candid or conceptual photography.
  • Portfolio Review: Sure, you’ve had some recommendations but you aren’t just going to take someone’s word and run with that. You will want to see portfolios and the kind of work the photographers have done before.collage of indian brides in bridal attire
    From Wedding’s by Devinder Singh Bagga

    Keeping a keen eye on when looking through wedding photography portfolios is the most important step before deciding on a wedding photographer. If their work isn’t the kind you’re looking for, no matter how the good the recommendation, you just won’t hire them.
  • Chemistry and Communication: So, you’ve shortlisted a few photographers with fantastic portfolios. Now, it’s time to meet your prospects. Every photographer or photography team comes with their own style and chemistry.One photographer may immediately know what you want but others can barely understand your reference images. You need someone who is easy to communicate with and is confident about making what you want. The ideal kind of wedding photographer will understand your desires and make you feel comfortable that they will do their job well.
  • Wedding Album Design: Ask your shortlisted photographers to show you a physical portfolio or album sample in addition to their digital portfolio if they have one available.When speaking with your prospective photographer, tell them about the kind of album you want. Or ask them what kind of materials would they think is best for preserving and displaying your special day. If you are into out-of-the-box design, there are wedding photographers who are willing to go down that path.collage of innovative wedding invitations
    From Darshan & Nidhi Wedding Invite by Magesh L P
    Do not leave the meeting unless all your questions have been answered. You need a photographer who will make an album that suits you. After all, this day won’t come again so it should be displayed well for all time to come.
  • Cost: This is an important question that could cause all your wedding photography dreams to crumble to bits. If you have found the photographer of your dreams whose personality matches yours, it’s time to move on to the next step – settling on a price.Photographers price themselves differently. Since each one has a different level of experience and different equipment to work with, they all will not have the same prices. Some photographers will create a pricing strategy that’s customised to your needs.This means that your wedding photography budget can stay within your original limits. All you need to do is talk to your wedding photographer about what you want and what they can deliver without depleting your bank account.
  • Scheduling In Advance: Your wedding photographer needs to know when and where he or she is needed. A good wedding photographer will learn about the places you will have your ceremonies and what kind of lighting and angles will be required to capture your memories.From Naazesh+Mustafa Wedding Photography by Ali Naqi
    Share all the details with your wedding photographer, from the time you start to get ready to the time everyone will call it a day. It will allow them to avoid scheduling issues with other clients as well.

The wedding day is a special one and you want your wedding photographer to capture the best moments of the day. Sorting out your wedding photographer in advance means one less thing to worry about so that you can concentrate on the most important part of your wedding: having fun while getting married.

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This article was written by Sienna Thibault and edited by Richard Fernandes. If you want to contact her for feedback, send her an email.  Richard is reachable through richard@indiefolio.com.

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