If you’re planning your wedding or will start doing so, you’ll soon realise that this task would be on top of your list. However, your wedding photographer isn’t just any other vendor.
A wedding photographer isn’t the same as ordering flowers or planning the decoration. Top companies like Lovepear believe that your wedding photos are a keepsake and a legacy of what is to be the most important day of your life. Selecting the right wedding photographer can be daunting, so we break it down into easy steps.
Step 1- Choose your Style
From traditional, photo journalistic, and fine art to adventurous, there are different photography styles to capture your special day. Many people don’t give much thought to it and go with whatever the photographer tells them or see in the photos. It pays to know about different photography styles, discuss the same with your partner, and then decide.
If you’re a family person and love large gatherings that weddings call for, then traditional photography might be your style. Similarly, if you like the images you see in high-end magazines, the editorial style could be for you. If you are camera-shy and hate posing or staging, a photo journalistic style would be your best bet! You can also go for a combination of styles depending on the moment captured.
Step 2 – Search Vendor Directories
If you don’t know where to begin looking for wedding photographers, this could be a place to start. You can get access to their websites, portfolio, and social media profiles all from one portal. A lot of wedding directories connect couples to wedding photographers. A great place to shortlist some names!
Step 3 – Do your Research
Don’t just go with what the wedding directories tell you; do your research. Read up on different photography styles; get an idea about the prices etc. Wedding photography can be expensive, but you don’t just want to be ripped off your money.
If you like some name, shortlist it, find out more about them, and check their social profiles, websites, and previous projects. Ask your peers, friends, and family who have got married recently for recommendations. The market is over saturated, and choosing the right photographer can be a bit like separating the grain from the sand.
Step 4 – Contact the Shortlisted Ones
Now that you’ve shortlisted some names, it’s time to start contacting them. You can shoot them an email message or call them for a detailed discussion. Ask if they are available on the given dates, their pricing packages, some references, sample photos from past events, etc.
Step 5 – Set up an In-Person Meeting
Step 4 should narrow down your list even further by going through the pricing, availability, references, etc. Set up an in-person or video consultation. Again, in-person meetings are always better as it helps break the ice.
Use this meeting to tell them about your requirements, inhibitions, and preferences. Get a realistic estimate of the prices and what to expect. According to the experts at Lovepear, if you’re comfortable with your photographer, it will reflect in the photographs, so trust your gut instincts.
Step 6 – Final Decision
Now that you have met the ones you liked and have an idea about the prices, it is time to decide. Think about all the aspects and choose whoever you feel most comfortable with. If that person satisfies all other fronts, it is best to go with him.
Finally, don’t rush through the process. Take your time. After all, as Den from Lovepear puts it, you don’t just leave it to ordinary camera slingers but choose someone who invests their time and effort in chronicling your special day with love and passion that it deserves.
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