Finding the wedding photographer that is right for you can be difficult, but the choice is ever so important. Follow these 5 steps to make choosing the best photographer for your big day a little bit easier.
Step 1: Ask around
One of the best ways to find a wedding photographer that you’ll like and that you can trust is to ask your friends and maybe even some strangers. A social media “shout out” for advice is a quick and easy way to hear other couples reviews and experiences from their weddings.
Bridal Tip: “Always talk to your friends before you book, their experience is worth its weight in gold!”
Step 2: Get online
It’s all about research here. Your source for finding the wedding photographer of your dreams is at your fingertips, literally. There are some really awesome sites out there that you can use throughout the entire wedding planning process to search for anything from venues to music and of course photographers. Sites like wellwed.com, weddingwire.com and mywedding.com not only offer an abundance of information, but they can help keep all your wedding planning details organized in one place. Another great local resource to the Adirondack’s is Adirondack-Weddings.com
Step 3: Budget
Do your research and find out what sort of budget you are going to need to spend to get the quality of photographer you are looking for. Every diligent bride should know whether her photography budget is set in stone or open for interpretation. Knowing your limits can also help you eliminate the choices that are too expensive right off the bat. There is a strong variance in price between the well known professional and the entry level photographer, before you set your heart on the best make sure you have (or can find) the funds to hire them.
Step 4: Read reviews
Some of the sites mentioned above also have forums where you can exchange ideas and advice with couples who have gone through the wedding planning process. Again, this advice is golden! If you come across a photographer that sparks your interest make sure to check for any reviews they might have online. This way you’ll be able to see what kind of track record they have and if they are worth pursuing.
Step 5: Face to face
After all the advice has been heard, your research done and the reviews read, the last step is to meet your potential wedding photographer in person. This is a must. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but the personality behind the camera can make or break the entire experience.
Bridal Tip: “No matter how amazing their website, their portfolio, or their price; if at any point the interaction with a wedding photographer feels odd or not quite right, walk away. It’s not worth chancing your wedding on a bad feeling.”