5 Steps for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Photographer

By Ross | 1 Entertainment on Oct 25 2021

Planning your wedding is an incredibly exciting process. It’s one of the most memorable days in your life, so you’ll want to make sure that everything is perfect. Making the day itself magical isn’t the only thing on top of your priority list. After all, it’s also important to capture the magic and preserve it forever.

Looking for the right wedding photographer will help you relive the day with your spouse through the many photos and videos taken throughout the ceremony, so it’s crucial to choose your photographer wisely. Otherwise, you may end up with a few regrets, particularly if the photographer didn’t document all the moments you’ve wanted to treasure forever. Here are five steps to help you find the ideal wedding photographer:

Establish a Budget

The first thing you should do when you start searching for the right photographer is to set your budget. Determine how much you can afford to spend and keep it in mind when you look around. If you aren’t sure how much funding to allocate to a photographer, ask a few local ones for quotes. You can also check nearby photographers’ websites, which usually have starting prices on their websites.

Choose Your Photography Style

After determining your budget, the next thing to do is to find your preferred photography style. You can browse online to look for ideas, as there are styles from thousands of photographers you can use for inspiration. For example, you can opt for candid, black-and-white, contemporary, creative, and more. When you find a photographer whose style resonates with you, create a shortlist and look more into them. You can use them as sources of inspiration when you look for a local photographer, who will better understand the distinct look you’re going for when they have other bodies of work to reference.

Ask For Recommendations

Another way to hasten your search for the perfect photographer is to ask your friends and family for recommendations, especially those who have gotten married recently. Ask who their photographer was, check out their portfolios, and see if you can get any leads. You can also look at social media or your venue for more recommendations.

Competent, reputable photographers have a long list of happy clients they’ll be more than willing to share with you. You can also verify the reviews online, helping you get a glimpse of what working with the photographer will be like and their photography style.

Check the Portfolio

When you have a shortlist of local photographers to hire, check out their portfolios. They often feature this on their website, but it’s best to see a full wedding album, as a few photos don’t tell you the whole story of how they documented a particular wedding. You’ll want to choose a photographer that makes each image consistent in terms of aesthetics and quality. After seeing enough photos, you may realise that you don’t like how they take pictures in low-light or edit them.

Schedule a Meeting

When you’ve found a few photographers you like, be sure to schedule a meeting with them to get them to know more. They’ll be spending your entire wedding day with you, so be sure to meet them in person, so you’ll know if you’ll get along well. Ask them all your questions, review their portfolio, and determine what you feel about them. Do they make you feel at ease and confident? Do they understand what you want? The more comfortable you are with the photographer, the more natural and genuine your photos will be.

Conclusion

Preserving the magic of your wedding day is a huge task, so you’ll need to make sure you find a photographer who’s up for the job. By following our guide, you’ll have no problem finding a wedding photographer who will take photos in your preferred style!

1 Entertainment specialises in wedding entertainment in London, helping couples design, plan, and manage all aspects of the wedding. Whether you’re looking for a unique wedding marquee or light up letters for hire, we’ve got all you need to make your special day bright and beautiful. Contact us today for a quote!