When it comes to planning your big day, the first few steps seem to be pretty straight forward–you find your venue, which usually helps select your date, and then you say yes to the dress. But what comes next?
Of course, there are many right ways to plan your wedding, but in my opinion, picking your photographer is the next big step. Many photographers book a year or more in advance, so if you would like wedding pictures, it’s best to plan ahead.
But how do you choose a wedding photographer? What do you ask them to help ensure that you’ll have an experience that you love, and would even recommend to your besties? As a photographer myself, here are my top 3 recommendations:
1. All of your burning questions
If you have a question, or even a list of questions that you’ve been wondering about, don’t be afraid to ask away!
If a photographer seems frustrated by answering a question you’ve asked, that should be a major red flag to you!
It’s my personal belief that photographers, especially wedding photographers, are in the service industry. So it’s my job to fully take care of all of my couples: this includes delivering curated, romantic, timeless, and jaw-dropping images. But it also includes serving you and helping you whenever you need it throughout the wedding planning process.
No question is off the table regarding what to ask your wedding photographer.
2. What are you like? What’s your favorite song? What makes you laugh?
I’m sure you’re already confused; why should you be asking about your photographer’s personality–aren’t you hiring her for pictures?! Why is this what you should ask your wedding photographer?
And while you do hire a photographer for pictures, you are also hiring her for so much more! Think about it–you’ll spend more time with your photographer on a wedding day than your future spouse. Your photographer will be in your getting ready room, at your first look with bridesmaids, parents, and groom, your ceremony, and your big celebration afterwards. In other words: you need to like this person. Think of her as a bonus bridesmaid, but with a camera, a smile, and an amazing set of photography skills.
Are you a relaxed bride, and you just want someone that will be chill all day long? Or are you a bubbly bride, and you want someone to giggle with you all day long? There’s no right or wrong here, only what will best fit your personality. So don’t rush through the “getting to know you” part of a photography consultation. Don’t be afraid to ask about your photographer’s favorites. In the end, this can help you make an informed choice for your big day.
I actually have a whole deep dive on why your wedding photographer’s personality is so, so important. Click here to get even MORE details on hiring your wedding photographer!
3. What is your shooting and editing style?
If you’ve scrolled through Instagram lately, it’s easy to see that there are many different types of photography. Brighter styles with lighter backgrounds may be considered something along the lines of “light and airy” while darker styles may be called “moody.” Don’t worry too much about the terms here–no photographer is expecting you to be an expert!
You do want to ask about a photographer’s style to ensure that you will be happy with the “look” of your wedding day. It takes lots and lots of practice for a photographer to perfect their style.
Each and every one of us will have a method that we are an expert at. Think about other types of artists– a painter will naturally do much better with a brush than a sculptor’s chisel. Photographers are the same way when it comes to editing. We are the masters of one style.
Be sure to look through a photographer’s Instagram and website to make sure that you like her style, as that will be the way she shoots your wedding day.
4. What are your add ons and a la carte options?
There are many little things that can be added to a basic photography package, and these options will vary between photographers.
You may want to consider having two photographers instead of one, especially if you have a larger wedding with many details and guests to document. Over here at Christine Hazel Photography, I always include a second photographer!
You may want to consider wedding prints and albums so that your wedding photos can decorate your home and be remembered and treasured each day. In fact, I highly recommend getting your images off a screen and into your hands!
You may want to consider adding additional hours of coverage so that you can capture each moment throughout the day with family, your epic after party, or whatever other awesome twist you concoct for your wedding day.
Here at Christine Hazel Photography, I offer these add ons, as well as additional portrait sessions for bridals, coverage for your rehearsal or welcome dinner, and other heirloom keepsakes you can ask about.
I wish you the best of luck as you plan for your marriage, and I’m always here to cheer you on, each and every day.
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