Right? You just got engaged, the world is spinning, life is good, you booked the most amazing venue – and then you do a search for the perfect photographer, and your jaw hits the floor. Who do you pick?
Start With the Photographs
Look at a photographer’s work!!! Straight up—they are posting what they believe is their BEST work.
Is this what you want?
If all their images are outside and you’re having an indoor wedding, you might want to think twice. Can they handle a dark church? A dimly lit reception? Bright sunlight? Look at the lighting, the shadows and the composition. Look beyond the bride and groom, too. Are the reception photographs mostly the backs of people’s heads? Is everything shot really wide or really tight? Are there candid moments as well as posed photographs? Most importantly, do YOU like their work?
There is no right or wrong answer. Photography is art, and art is subjective.
You’re not looking for the best wedding photographer. You’re looking for the best wedding photographer for you.
Price Matters, But So Does What You’re Getting
Of course price matters. Unless you’ve discovered the secret to an unlimited wedding budget—and if you have, please share it with the rest of us—you have a number you’re trying to stay within.
But when you’re comparing wedding photographers, make sure you’re actually comparing the same things.
How many hours of coverage are included? How many edited photographs will you receive? Are you getting high-resolution images? Do you have printing rights? How quickly will you receive your photographs? Are there additional charges that aren’t included in the original quote?
A photographer who looks less expensive at first may not be once everything is added together. On the other hand, the most expensive photographer isn’t automatically the best photographer for you.
I’ve photographed everything from small backyard weddings to huge destination weddings. The amount someone spends on a wedding doesn’t determine how meaningful the day is—or how much fun it is to photograph.
Find the photographer whose work you love, whose personality you like, and whose price makes sense for your wedding.
And don’t automatically limit yourself to photographers who live nearby.
I’ve traveled all over the country photographing weddings. Sometimes, even after adding airfare, a rental car and a hotel, bringing in the photographer you really want can still be less expensive than hiring someone locally.
So if you find a photographer you love who happens to live in another state, don’t immediately cross them off the list.
Ask. You might be surprised.
Actually TALK to Your Photographer
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, talk to them! Meet in person if you can. Grab a cup of coffee. At the very least, get on the phone.
You’re going to spend a pretty big part of your wedding day with this person. Emails and texts can tell you their prices and availability, but they don’t tell you whether you actually like them.
When I meet with couples, we talk about more than photography. After 30+ years of weddings, I’ve picked up a few tricks for making the day run smoother. I’m relaxed, I’m a problem solver, and if something goes sideways, odds are I’ve seen something similar before. That personality comes through much better over coffee than it does in an email.
Fortunately, my photography skills far exceed my typing ability.
A Few Questions Worth Asking
You don’t need to interrogate your photographer under a bright light. 😂 But there are a few things worth knowing.
Ask how long they’ve been photographing weddings and how many they’ve photographed. Experience doesn’t automatically make someone a better photographer, but when something goes wrong, experience can matter.
Ask about backup equipment. Cameras fail. Flashes fail. Lenses get dropped. Life happens. Your photographer should have a Plan B sitting nearby.
Ask what’s actually included. How many hours? Are the photographs edited? How long is the turnaround? Will you receive high-resolution digital files and printing rights? Are there travel fees? What are the deposit and cancellation policies?
And ask anything that’s particularly important to you.
You’re not trying to find a photographer who gives the “correct” answers to every question.
You’re trying to figure out whether you trust this person to photograph your wedding.
Behind the Lens with Brody Hall
Most importantly, when you meet with a photographer, ask yourself one simple question: Did you connect?
Did the conversation feel comfortable? Did they make you smile? Did you walk away feeling positive and confident that they understood what you wanted? Remember, you’re not just hiring someone to take photographs. You’re choosing someone who will be with you through a pretty big part of one of the most important days of your life.
Their work can be beautiful. Their price can fit your budget. They can own every piece of equipment imaginable. But if you don’t feel comfortable with them, they may not be the right wedding photographer for you.
There are a lot of great photographers out there.
The trick isn’t finding the best one. It’s finding the best one for you.
