You just got engaged and there’s so many photographers available! How do you know which one’s right for you? With these 7 tips on how to choose your wedding photographer you’ll know right away which one’s right for you.
Here are the 7 tips on choosing a wedding photographer
1. Define a budget
When you’re planning your wedding setting a budget is important. It avoids surprises in the end and helps you stay on track. Ask yourself how important the wedding photos are for you and depending on the total amount of money you’re willing to spend on your wedding, how much percentage of that amount will you be comfortable in spending for photography? This will be key in finding the right photographer.
Usually wedding photography prices in Portugal can go from 800€ (or less) up to 6000€ (or more). It really depends on what you’re willing to spend.
2. Make sure you love their wedding photos
These photos will be with you for the rest of your life. They’re the only proofs you’ll have of your wedding (unless you also have video) and they’re the wedding photos you’ll show your children and grandchildren, so loving them is, I would say, one of the most important concerns about choosing your wedding photographer. Make sure you take a look into their wedding photos and love what you see.
3. Meet up with them and see if your personalities match
This person will be with you on your wedding day and they’re the ones taking your photos. Having someone with a personality that matches yours is key in having good wedding photos. If you’re a more extroverted couple or someone who prefers a more quiet wedding, having a photographer that matches your style is ideal in making you feel more comfortable.
4. Ask about their approach on the wedding day
You may not have thought about this, but there are different approaches in wedding photography. A lot of photographers even mix different approaches depending on the moment of the wedding day.
For example, there are photographers with a more documental and photojournalistic approach where they become invisible during the entire day. They usually don’t intervene nor give directions and just photograph the moments as they happen. There are also photographers with a more editorial approach where they step in and give directions and even adjust your wedding dress or hair so that you looks your best.
The ones that mix may, for example, become invisible during the wedding ceremony and give directions during the family photos or even when you’re getting ready. Some may be more pronounced while others less.
The best way for you to know is to talk with your photographer and know how they usually work and find out if that style of working suits you and what you envision for your wedding.
5. Ask for a few full wedding galleries of former clients
The best way for you to see how they photograph the entire day is asking for other full wedding day galleries they delivered to other couples. Usually they only share their favorite photos on their website and so to make you more comfortable and know how they photograph the rest of the day, taking a look into their other wedding photo galleries is a good idea.
6. Do an engagement session
This will be the first time you will see how they work in person and if you like their approach or not. If you’re not too keen about the way they work, you can always talk with them and share your concerns. I’m certain they will be more than glad to adjust to suit your needs!
It’s also a way for you to become more relaxed in front of the camera. That way on your wedding day you’ll feel more comfortable when having them around and not worry about the photos as much. This will result in more natural‑looking photos.
7. Ask for previous reviews
A great tip on choosing your wedding photographer if you’re still not sure on which one you want to hire for your wedding is to read the reviews they have available online or ask them if you could talk with other couples they have photographed for. It’s always a good idea to know how the experience was for other couples and if their expectations were met.
And there you have it. These are my 7 tips on how to choose a wedding photographer for your wedding. Have you done any of these? If not you can start by checking my portfolio or if you’re ready maybe even schedule a meeting with me.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
