When you have a beautiful set of wedding pictures and videos at home, you can relive your special day again and again in years to come.

But you need to find a photographer or videographer you trust to chronicle your wedding with the respect it deserves. And that’s easier said than done when there are so many businesses offering wedding photography and videography services.

In this post, we’ll explore eight ideas to help you find the right photographer or videographer for your wedding. Our advice covers pricing, considering different visual styles, and other essential areas.

 

Check portfolios closely

 

 

Trying to find the right wedding photographer or videographer can be a time-consuming, laborious process. It may even take as long as scouring jewelry stores and websites for your perfect wedding rings or writing your vows. There are so many to choose from, ranging from beginners to seasoned pros with decades of experience behind them.

You may not have any clear idea of the type of photographs or videos you want when you start searching the market for options. That’s why checking a few portfolios is a good way to begin.

Professional photographers and videographers should have their own website (or at least a comprehensive page on Facebook or other social channels) for potential clients to explore. A significant portion of their website or social page should be samples of their pictures or videos, proudly showcasing their skills and hands-on experience.

Take your time and browse portfolios in detail. There may be certain aspects of the photos or videos on display that clash with your personal tastes immediately. For example, the imagery might be more pretentiously artistic or flatter than what you have in mind for your own wedding. If so, strike them off your list and keep looking.

 

Read reviews written by real couples

 

One of the biggest benefits of the internet is that it makes finding service providers easier than ever. If there are any wedding photographers and videographers operating near you, they should have an online presence. And their previous clients are likely to leave a review of their service on one or more websites.

Online reviews written by real couples are an essential resource when exploring your options. They can give you an insight into a professional’s capabilities, quality, value for money, and other key factors. Reputable photographers and videographers may even be willing to connect you to previous clients, so you can get a first-hand account.

But beware — some online reviews may not be genuine. While it can be hard to know which reviews are real and which aren’t, there are a few things to look out for:

•  Identical phrases and terms that appear in multiple reviews

•  Similar grammatical mistakes and typos

•  Reviewer names that appear inauthentic and generic, with random numbers and letters

•  Stock or blank profile pictures

•  Lack of detail and overly enthusiastic praise

While these factors aren’t definitive proof that a reviewer is fake, it’s worth keeping them in mind when researching your options.

 

Share ideas for incorporating your wedding rings into your photos

 

 

Choosing the right wedding rings for you and your partner is one of the most important aspects of planning your nuptials. And after putting in so much time and effort to find them, why not show them off in your wedding photos?

Some photographers may have more creative ideas for how to showcase your wedding rings than others. There are any number of poses and angles to highlight your wedding rings, and you may have some opinions on what will work best. Bring these to the table when meeting prospective wedding photographers, and invite them to share their own ideas.

This is a good way to learn more about a photographer’s creativity and willingness to work with your concepts, rather than pushing their own preferences. You may be able to conceive a variety of exciting concepts for photographing your wedding rings together.

 

Discuss your venue and how they would use the space

 

Your wedding venue has a massive impact on your photos and videos. How much open space is there, inside and outside, to maneuver with a camera? Is there enough natural lighting to make your wedding rings shine? Does the layout allow photographers and videographers to capture a range of different angles?

These are just a few of the questions you may want to consider when meeting with prospective photographers and videographers. Discuss the venue and what techniques they have for making the most of it. Ideally, they will be familiar with the location and may even have covered an occasion there already.

One idea worth considering is to meet with them at the venue, if it’s convenient for you all. That gives you a chance to determine whether they’re right for you and plan the big day right where it will take place.

 

Explore their preferred photography style

 

 

Some photographers have a strict personal style that they want to utilize in all of their work, regardless of the occasion. Others will be happy to adjust their approach to suit their client’s tastes and goals.

There’s no right or wrong option here, but you may have a particular style in mind for your photos from the start. That means you’ll need to find a wedding photographer who fits your plans.

Browsing portfolios is helpful for identifying which photographers will be a good match and which to avoid. But when putting your shortlist together, be sure to discuss style and preferences to confirm you’re on the same page.

You must feel comfortable and satisfied with the photographer you choose, otherwise you could end up with a wedding album that doesn’t feel true to your expectations.

 

Consider their personality

 

You don’t need to feel as if your wedding photographer or videographer could become your best friend, but you still need to get along with them. They’ll be with you on one of the most important, most personal days of your life. You should at least be able to talk to them honestly about what you want and trust that they’ll behave appropriately in the presence of your loved ones.

Assessing your photographer or videographer’s personality may be difficult if you only have a chance to meet them briefly before your big day. But if they make a positive first impression and you feel comfortable with them, that’s generally a good sign.

 

Ask about their equipment

 

 

Ask about gear when meeting photographers and videographers: the person or team you choose should work with their own equipment. When they know their tools well, they will know how to get the best out of them, and you don’t need to worry about wasting precious time on your big day as they try to figure out how their camera or tripod works.

If they mention hiring equipment for the day, that may be a sign that they’re not as professional as they make themselves out to be. At the very least, they should familiarize themselves with the gear well ahead of your wedding to minimize the risk of mistakes and wasted time.

 

Look for transparent and honest pricing

 

Pricing is one part of choosing a wedding photographer or videographer that demands special consideration. You and your partner will have a budget in mind, as you will with wedding rings and honeymoon destination ideas. You may even have a little leeway if you find a professional whose experience and credentials justify a higher price.

Photographers and videographers should be upfront with their fees, with a page on their website dedicated to pricing. They might offer a range of packages to suit weddings on different scales, from more intimate ceremonies to massive events for hundreds of people.

Check these packages carefully to ensure that you find one that realistically suits your needs and budget. There’s no point going for a more expensive package because it seems to offer better value if you don’t require everything included.

There should be plenty of detail on what packages include, such as:

•  The number of pictures you’ll receive

•  How much of the day they’ll cover (6 hours, 10 hours, etc.)

•  Album included or not included

•  USB drive for images/videos

Watch out for photographers and videographers who appear cagey about their prices. You may need to reach out to several in your area to get a quote early on, and some are likely to be outside your budget range immediately. But if you get a quote that works for you, make sure you keep a screenshot of it, just in case they try to change their price down the line.

 

Conclusion

 

 

Finding a wedding photographer or videographer can be just as difficult as finding a venue and wedding rings. You need to invest time into browsing your local options and exploring what they can offer. Due diligence is essential to understand exactly what each person or team provides, so you know what to expect for your money.

However, all of the hard work you put into the process will pay off when you have a beautiful visual record of your wedding day.