One of the bigger decisions couples need to make when planning a wedding is picking a photographer. While it seems like a simple task on the surface, it can often prove to be very involved. The nature of event photography has shifted a lot since your parents’ generation threw weddings. If you want to find a fitting professional to capture your big day, consider a variety of angles. Use this guide for hiring the right wedding photographer and feel satisfied by your final choice.

Understand Different Styles

The first and most important step in your journey is becoming more familiar with the world of photography. While studies show that the average person takes about 20 pictures per day on his or her phone, most people are not familiar with the genres and aesthetics of the photography industry. The best way to become familiar with your options is by diving into examples. There are countless blogs, websites, magazines, and databanks that provide lots of photos for you to look at. 

You don’t need to limit your search by looking exclusively at wedding photos either. Some couples find their perfect photographers by looking at certain aesthetics and researching professionals who specialize in these styles. The more examples you review, the easier it will become to know what you want from your own photos.

Gain Perspective

Like all wedding-adjacent businesses, photography has become something of a financial racket in recent years. When you start to look at the costs associated with this service, you may worry that you need to spend a small fortune to get the photos you want. Thankfully, this is far from the truth. Photography is all about personal preference. You may find that there’s a college student who charges a fraction of what a larger company is asking for the same results. 

It is important to note that the amount charged by a professional may not reflect his or her actual skill. If the price is right and you love the images in the artist’s portfolio, you’ve found a good fit.  

Arrange a Meeting

Once you’ve begun to narrow down your selection, it is time to arrange some meetings. Whether you get together in person or via Skype or Zoom, having a more personal interaction with the candidates allows you more insight on who will fit your needs best. If a certain photographer has a beautiful body of work and a terrible attitude, this type of meeting will help you avoid a disaster. While personalities aren’t the most important factor, getting along with your vendors makes the rest of the work much smoother.

It is also important to keep your number of meetings small. You don’t want to meet with every possible option that seems appealing. Try to get your numbers down to no more than five photographers to keep the task manageable. 

Learn About Packages

When meeting with your photographer candidates, learn more about their package options. Some professionals provide couples with prints, while others only give digital copies of the photos. There are many photo experts who offer editing services as part of their base packages, and there are some who charge extra for this. Talking over these options helps you understand exactly what to expect from your vendor. Don’t make any assumptions, even if you read certain points on their website. Get everything in writing to guarantee you’re both on the same page.

Though hiring the right wedding photographer can be a big step in the planning process, it does not have to be one that eats up all your time. As long as you research your options diligently and understand what kind of photos you want, the rest of the process will fall into place.