Choosing the right photographer for your wedding
Hi! I’m Jessica Upton of Uptown Events & Travel and I am a wedding and travel planner. With over 10 years of experience in the wedding industry, I receive so many questions about ‘what should I do first’ or ‘what is your best wedding tip’. Today I’m going to tackle the question of ‘how do I choose a wedding photographer’.
In the beginning stages of planning your wedding, selecting a photographer will probably come up as one of the first tasks (usually after date and venue). In the Austin Hill Country area, we are lucky to have such an abundance of amazing photographers, but that can also make the decision making process a difficult one. I commonly see couples choosing to hire a photographer because they did their friends wedding or because they like their instagram photos. Although those two factors are good starting points, they shouldn’t solely make your decision for you. There are many factors that are important to consider when hiring the right photographer for you, so here are my Tips to Choosing Your Wedding Photographer.
Wedding experience
My number one recommendation might seem obvious, but I think it’s extremely important to do your research and know that the photographer has a lot of wedding experience. Not 5-10 weddings, I’m talking a minimum of 40-50 weddings. Not only does a photographer begin to hone their craft as a better creative, but they also learn how to run a wedding day and anticipate potential issues. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can contact a couple of their past clients! This will give you insight that past clients probably won’t share on a weddingwire or theknot review.
Photography style
There are several different styles of photography. None of them are wrong, just a personal preference. Make sure your selecting a photographer whose style you appreciate! (ie: make sure you like their past work!)
Personality
Your photographer is the vendor you will spend the most time with on your wedding day. They will be there from the time you zip up your dress to the moment you hop into your getaway car (or some version of that). So you want to really like this person! At absolute minimum, have a lengthy phone conversation with them or if possible meet them in person for coffee. Ask them a few personal questions- what do they do for fun, do they have any animals, etc. Get to know them a little so you are sure to feel totally comfortable the day of your wedding.
Package Inclusions
(2nd shooter, # of hours, engagement & bridal sessions, images, albums, etc.)
Most photographers will have very similar packages with slight variations. These variations however can have a significant impact on the flow and logistics of your day, and/or the ultimate cost for your images. For example: Not having a 2nd shooter means that your one photographer has to be in a lot of places at once, so you may not get as many of those special moments because they have to run from place to place. Another example: If you select a package with 8 hours, depending upon how long your wedding is, you photographer may not be contracted to stay until your grand exit. So the thousand dollars you spent on the vintage cadillac as your getaway car, isn’t going to be shown in any photos.
Book early
Great photographers book quickly; especially on the best dates! Which in Texas is usually Saturdays in April & May, September-November. March and June can also be quite busy, so don’t wait to contract your photographer!
