How do you choose a wedding photographer? – Choose a wedding photographer
Something with trees and a forest. I can well imagine that choosing a wedding photographer for many bridal couples is almost a hell of a job. Nowadays there is so much choice, so many styles, so many price ranges. Almost every photographer has a slick website these days, and it can quickly become quite overwhelming trying to sort through the wheat from the chaff.
To the rescue!
On this page I will give some tips about what is really important when choosing a wedding photographer. Many roads lead to Rome, and what I find, certainly not everyone will find it. But with 15 wedding seasons behind me, my experience has taught me a thing or two.
Are you ready? Add coffee? Here we go.
Choose a wedding photographer based on style
It is not without reason that I mention this first, because it is a good and important first step for choosing a wedding photographer. Picasso or Van Gogh? Or a Dalí? All painters. All great artists, talented and experienced. One is not necessarily better than the other. Yet the differences are enormous. It's all about taste.
Style can be divided into two aspects: style of photography and style of lighting/post-processing.
Style of photography:The three main styles are: Traditional, journalistic and editorial.
– Traditional wedding photography means that the photographer is more proactive in capturing all the important moments as beautifully as possible. The photographer will therefore be more prominent.
– Journalism is actually the opposite. The photographer is very invisible at the wedding and never actually gives any clues. Things happen as they happen, and the result is sometimes a bit rougher and more authentic.
– With editorial, the emphasis is much more on the beautiful picture and on the styling. There is a bit more posing and staging, and a lot of attention is paid to, for example, the wedding dress, the bridal bouquet, the decoration, and so on.
Lighting/post-processing style: This determines, regardless of what is photographed, what the photo will look like. You can certainly make a lot of adjustments in post-processing. Do you like bright colors or more matte colors? Much contrast or little? Light and airy or a bit darker with more drama? Are clear (vintage) filters used or is the post-processing more natural?
Some photographers stick very strongly to one style, both in photographing and in lighting and post-processing. But there are also photographers who combine it. For example, I take photographs for – roughly – 85% journalism, with a small amount of posing (during the photo shoot) and occasionally capturing some beautiful details. In terms of lighting and post-processing, I like light, the necessary contrast and full colors. I have a soft spot for beautiful light and nice views. But if the situation and location invite it, I also like to make more dramatic images.
Choosing a wedding photographer: What do you expect from your photographer?
A bit related to the previous piece. It is good to ask yourself what you find important in your wedding photos. Do you want to have beautiful, real moments captured? Or do you mainly want a lot of posed photos or group photos? It is wise to choose a wedding photographer who matches your style. But also other things like: How many photos do you get? What else is included in the packages? How quickly does a photographer deliver his photos? Do you want an album and how will it work? Such questions are always good to ask yourself and also to look for a photographer who suits your needs.
Choosing a wedding photographer: Budget and costs.
Of course, budget plays an important role when choosing a photographer. Logically, because the amounts involved are significant. There is a photographer for every budget. However, I advise you not to skimp too much on a photographer! You may be thinking: “Yes, that's because you are one!”. And while that's not a lie, it's not the main reason. After the wedding, your wedding photos are one of the few things, besides a pile of bills and a wedding dress that is no longer used, that you really keep from your wedding. You can enjoy beautiful, valuable wedding photos taken by a top photographer for decades to come. And also your parents, grandparents and later your children and grandchildren. It would be a shame to spend all that time looking at your wedding photos and thinking: “I wish I had…”. There are no second chances at a wedding. Therefore, hire a photographer who knows what he is doing and, above all, who knows how important your wedding photos will be for the rest of your lives.
Choosing a wedding photographer: Professional or beginner?
When I photographed my first weddings in 2007, I didn't really have a good idea of what I was doing - and I'm being very honest. Everything was new, I could take decent pictures, but I was not really substantiated. Fortunately, I survived that time without making any major mistakes. But it could very well have been different. With that knowledge in mind, I can advise you from my heart: Hire a professional photographer for your wedding. I really mean that. A professional knows how a wedding works. He keeps an eye on everything and anticipates what is coming, so that no important moments are missed. Because once again: there is no second chance. There is only one first moment you see each other, one first kiss, and one first dance. They just have to be in the right place, that's it. A top photographer has attended dozens of weddings and knows all kinds of things. From wedding dresses to bridal bouquets. It is reassuring to have someone with a lot of experience at your wedding. A professional photographer always takes good care of his equipment, ensures sufficient backups of your valuable photos, and even provides a worthy replacement if he is ill. Such a top photographer is not cheap, but see it as an investment for the future. A lifetime of beautiful memories of your big day.
View websites of wedding photographers
Perhaps very obvious, but always good advice. However, what should you pay attention to? Nowadays it is not that difficult or expensive to have a nice website, so it can look impressive quite quickly. But a little critical thinking will soon teach you more. First of all, check out the portfolio or blog/photo series. Make sure you see enough different weddings on the website. More than once there are only a very small number of weddings on the website, but widely reported. There are very different photos of the same wedding on the website. Photos from different angles, different people, details, and so on. This makes it seem like they are different weddings, but that is not the case. A blog often shows photo series of individual weddings. If the photographer has quite a few different blogs on the website, you can view these photo series to get a better idea of what a full day looks like, instead of just a few beautiful images.
Be sure to check out the information pages on the website. Many photographers have one page with rates or packages. These often give a good idea of what the photographer offers, so that you can see whether it meets your wishes. There is often one 'about me' page, where you can get to know the photographer a little better. On such a page you will already get an impression of what the photographer is like as a person and perhaps also an idea of whether it is a good match for you!
THE CLICK!
Perhaps the most important of the whole story. That's why I saved it until the end. A good connection with your wedding photographer is incredibly important, don't underestimate it. Be aware that a photographer is present as an outsider to experience a very important and personal day with you. He is present during emotional moments, during wild celebrations, when getting dressed and when you promise each other loyalty. It is important that you choose a photographer with whom you feel comfortable. If you choose a photographer with whom you have a good connection, this person will feel more like a day guest to you. Someone you just feel good with and can be yourself. Ultimately, this ensures the most beautiful and natural images.
Still looking for a wedding photographer?
Otherwise, please contact us immediately. I know a very good one!
Photo: Carine Bea Photography
