How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

The most important thing to start with is the photography and editing styles. When skimming through tens or hundreds of photographers, check their portfolios and ask yourself, do I like what I see in the photos? Those with “Yes” should go into your list, while you can add higher ratings to studios that you loved the most. This step will help you understand what style you like and create an initial list of potential photographers to continue your research.

Read the “about” section to understand who the person is, his background, and his experience in photography, and see what is crucial for you. Check the reviews. It is also essential to check if the photographer is running a registered and insured business for your peace of mind.

It is essential to talk with the candidate of your choice. If you like the information and the artwork displayed on a particular site, contact him to know if he is available on your wedding date and schedule an initial call. Ask him detailed questions to see his approach, vision and values. Check if you are getting what is crucial for you and see if you and your partner feel at ease with him.

After understanding the value, have a look at the packages. Some photographers offer “All Included” collections with albums, prints and high-resolution images; others have a flat or hourly rate and then charge you for any digital or album you want. Many photographers offer a price list detailing several packages at various price points. Make sure that you understand what's included. Here are some critical points to pay attention to: 

• Will you have a pre-wedding consultation with the photographer?
• Will you get an engagement session?
• Will you get any help with planning the timeline?
• Do you need a second shooter?
• How many high-resolution photos will you get?
• How many edited and retouched photos?
• Who is going to edit your photos? (some studios use third-party services for photo editing).
• How long does it take to deliver the final images? (for some photographers, the turnover takes weeks and even months).

Once you've evaluated each photographer's approach and offers and narrowed down the options, it's time to make your decision. Don't forget that you'll be spending the entire wedding day with this person, so you want to ensure you feel entirely comfortable with the photographer. Do you and your fiancé genuinely like this person? Do you feel like the three of you click?

An engagement photoshoot is always a good idea. It is an excellent opportunity to get to know your photographer and begin to feel comfortable having your photos taken, especially if you or your groom are camera-shy.