While this is going to sound ridiculously biased, selecting your wedding photographer is going to be the most important vendor decision that you’re going to make. The reason? After the band or DJs have packed up their gear and the flowers have wilted, what will be left? Answer: nothing, except for your wedding photos, which will be there for years to come to help you remember almost every detail from the day (assuming you have good wedding photos). So, what are the things you should really consider when selecting your wedding photographer? When evaluating each photographer on your list, I recommend you ask the following questions:
Do you like his or her work?
It’s funny how often this simple question gets overlooked. Engaged couples frequently contact wedding photographers without spending much, if any, time on the photographer’s website or Facebook page. This likely means that the only factor that they’re considering is the price, and this is a huge mistake. Not all photographers are created equal in terms of skill or experience. And each photographer has his or her own unique style. As I said above, these photos are going to be the only lasting thing that you will have from your wedding day, so I strongly suggest you find a photographer who has a style that matches your own. When you open up your album and look at the photos from your wedding day several years after you have been married, you want to be looking at photos that really blow you away, not photos that look ordinary or boring.
Does the photographer fit within your budget?
Just as all photographers have unique styles, all photographers charge different rates as well. While it isn’t a universal truth, the old axiom “you get what you pay for” exists for a reason. This does not mean that you need to spend a huge chunk of your wedding budget on your photographer, but good photographers are likely going to charge more than $1,000 for their services. Feel free to ask photographers what their rates are, but don’t automatically disqualify a photographer from your consideration if his or her rate isn’t the lowest in town.
Do you actually like your photographer?
As crazy as it may seem, you will likely spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day than you will with your new spouse. So, it is absolutely crucial that you pick a photographer that you feel comfortable around and ideally one that can make you smile and laugh. Imagine having a photographer hang around all day that is a complete buzz-kill. This is your wedding day. Hopefully you’re only doing this once. Make sure everything that day makes you smile… including your photographer.
So those are my top tips to consider when choosing your wedding photographer. If you have any questions about what I wrote or any other questions about wedding photography or what its like to work with me, feel free to click HERE and send me an email. I’ll respond as quickly as I can.
Best wishes to you and your future spouse,
Jason
Jason and Kelsey Switzer are husband and wife wedding photographers in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Jason and Kelsey photograph weddings all over the state of Michigan and beyond, including Detroit, Birmingham, Ann Arbor and Rochester Hills. They specialize in creating innovative, artistic and romantic wedding photos and are two of the most sought after photographer duos in the Detroit, Michigan area.