To be sure you choose the right photographer, you have to pay attention to a number of things. One of them is the portfolio – look closely at the photos and decide whether the composition and color choices are coherent. Does everything appear bland or does it create a sense of wonder and magic?.
If every photoshoot is a totally different story, then you can’t be sure what yours will be like. Look closely at the photos from the ceremony or wedding reception. Dark churches are always a challenge.
Those will be the photos that show the experience of the photographer. The ability to walk between guests on the dancefloor or catching the vows – those are not the moments that you can redo, everything is happening spontaneously.
If the photographer has a blog there is a chance that you can check more of the photos from weddings or photoshoots than the ones from his website. If not – you can always ask him to show you more.
Now to consider exactly what services they provide and their price. Do they shoot outdoors, are they animal friendly, do they shoot gifts and accessories etc. If it’s not explicitly stated, don’t be afraid to send them a message to find out! Note that often a photographer may not state exact prices on their website as each photoshoot has its own specification.
Now it’s almost time to make a choice! Maybe you’ve whittled it down to one, or you’ve selected a few options. Time to get in touch!
WHAT SHOULD I WRITE IN AN EMAIL?
First and foremost, you must tell them the date of your wedding to make sure they are available. Tell them which parts of the wedding day you’d like photographed, and about any specific items or moments that are important to you. If you still don’t know the price – Now is the time to ask.
Write a few words about yourselves – what’s your background, how you’ve been together, what would you perfect wedding look like. Believe me – there is nothing worse than an email “how much does the photoshoot cost?”. Photographers are also people, they want to know something about you :)
Ask about the possibility of seeing more of their work. Ask them to bring a variety of albums to the meeting. In the situation where many photographers work for one company, make sure to find out who is responsible for the photoshoots you liked so that you can arrange a meeting with the person whose work you appreciate the most.
Now there is no point of any further questions. Some of them will disappear after getting the whole offer. If not you can also ask about the additional costs like transport or accommodation and about the reservation requirements. Remember that only sending an email doesn’t necessarily mean that the reservation has been made..
The last step is to arrange a meeting. It can be in person or online through skype etc. Now, you can actually see and meet the person that you would like to work with.
MEETING WITH THE PHOTOGRAPHER
This is one of the most important days in your life, you certainly want to feel comfortable in the presence of the photographer. Meeting each other is an important step to see if you connect and share the same vision.
Sometimes, even if the photos are beautiful you just don’t know how to effectively communicate with each other. A photographer's personality has a huge impact on how you look in the photos. Trust us, you can just tell!
Every photographer has a different style. Some people are more expressive and some not. Some have a rather obvious presence and some will be standing quietly at the side, barely noticeable to the guests..
There are photographers that like to create situations and some just catch what’s happening spontaneously. Some are very open and friendly and some will be more reserved and official.
Thanks to that meeting you can see if this is the person that you’ve been looking for. Do you feel good with each other? Did he make a positive impression and do you want to hire that person?
During the meeting, you will agree to all the business details such as when to pay, when you’ll get your photos, how many hours the photographer will work etc. I will describe those things in a different article.
It may sound silly, but make sure that the person from the meeting is the person that will come to your wedding! It’s that person work you appreciate, and that person you connected with so a last minute change could ruin everything!
PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER - SUMMARY
Now you know how to start looking for the right photographer for you and what to pay attention to. Remember that the most important thing is to clearly identify and describe your expectations and all should go well!