Wedding photos are essential reminders of your big day. You will be looking at these special photos for many years to come, but finding the right photographer for your wedding isn’t always a simple task. These days there are so many photographers who offer wedding photography, that you often can’t see the wood for the trees. So it’s super important to find a wedding photographer who fits you and your partner perfectly. To help you get started, we have put together a few helpful tips to find the perfect wedding photographer for your perfect wedding photos!
Themed wedding photography
Do you dream of having a rustic farm shoot or would you prefer an industrial shoot in a loft? Maybe you and your partner are still looking around, and you have no clear idea for the style of your wedding photos yet. And that’s okay, but it is important that your wedding photographer will know exactly what style of photography suits you best.
So it’s important to communicate well and look for a lot of inspiration beforehand. You could also each make an individual mood board with your own styles and then make choices to combine your styles, and of course communicate the results with your wedding photographer.
Wedding photography tips
Once you have found your style, it’s time to look for the perfect photographer for your wedding. You’ll most likely be looking online at first, and the most important thing is to find a photographer with a style that fits the style that you agreed on. Make sure to look at the photographer’s past shoots and their Instagram page, for an impression of their work as a wedding photographer.
Once you have picked a wedding photographer, it’s time to get to know each other! But this is not the end of the adventure, because do you have the necessary click with the photographer? Will they be able to give you exactly what you need for your wedding? Below, you can read a few wedding photography tips to make sure that you’ll have a perfect click with your photographer!
- What kind of photos do you definitely want to see in the final collection, and can the photographer make sure you get these photos?
- Do you only want to book the photographer for a separate wedding shoot before the wedding, or do you need them to take pictures of the whole day. Let the photographer know when they will be expected at the wedding and until what time you want them to stay.
- If you also want the photographer to take pictures of the bride and bridesmaids getting dressed, you might feel more comfortable if the photographer is a woman.
- Also talk about how the photographer will deliver the photos and what your preferences are. Would you like to receive everything digitally, or do you also want a physical album? How can the guests receive photos?
- It’s also important to know when you will receive the wedding photos; will this take a couple of days or weeks?
- Make clear agreements with the photographer about how you will communicate in the days and weeks leading up to the wedding. A couple of weeks before the wedding, make sure to discuss the playbook and/or any changes to the playbook.
- Is there a replacement in case the photographer is sick on the day of your wedding?
Aside from all these practical questions, we have a few more separate tips for you!
- Always ask for a written order confirmation and make sure that all agreements are on paper as well. This way, you can avoid misunderstandings.
- Make sure you have a list ready with group compositions and people you really want to be photographed with! This way, you won’t have to decide who you want to take photos with at the last minute.
- If you still have doubts, you can request a pre-wedding shoot, to make sure that the wedding photographer can give you what you’re looking for.
- Think about your budget for a wedding photographer in advance, but this point requires a little more explanation! Below, we will tell you how you can take your budget into account and still find the perfect wedding photographer!
Wedding photographer costs
A wedding is usually not cheap, and the costs for a wedding photographer require some consideration! It’s important to determine a budget for a photographer in advance; make sure to check out different photographers and their price lists. The prices of wedding photography vary widely, but make sure to not simply go with the cheapest photographer. There are a lot of amateurs on the market, who don’t ask for the highest prices, but their photography skills often leave a lot to be desired. That’s why a cheap wedding photographer isn’t always the best choice. Because you can’t just try again with your wedding photos, you only got one chance! Check out online reviews to find out how others rate the photographer and if they did a good job with other wedding couples.
The average price of a professional wedding photographer is around €2500, so keep an eye out for prices that are suspiciously low.
Of course, it’s important that the wedding photographer is transparent about their prices. There are a couple of questions that you can ask to get a clear idea of the costs of a wedding photographer:
- Are the travel costs included in the total price or will these have to be paid separately?
- Do they require a down payment, and if yes, how much?
- Will you agree on a fixed price beforehand or does the photographer have an hourly rate? If it’s the latter, what is their hourly rate?
- Will editing your photos cost extra?
If you keep all these tips in mind in your search for a wedding photographer, you’ll definitely find the perfect photographer for your big day!