Searching for a wedding photographer? We’ve got the best tips for you straight from our members. This is the last in our series on “How to Choose a Wedding Photographer” from the experts. They’ve given us their best advice, so be sure to check out the other tips featured in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5.
Have a Trial Session
“If your budget allows it is a good idea to do a photo session with your selected wedding photographer. You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive…once you find the right person, make sure they measure up!”
– Laura of Three Lights Photography, LLC, Middleburg VA
“Weddings are events you can’t do over. While making sure you get a photographer that’s going to deliver is difficult, it’s a must. When your meeting with potential photographers asking to run a mock photo session with them is a good way to see if you click. Since most shoot digital it’s probably not going to cost them anything to snap a few shots for you to view. It’s a great way to see first hand what you can expect from them on your wedding day.”
– Christine of Photography by Christine Bowen, Herlong, California
“Try out your photographer with an engagement session. That way you can make sure you’re a right fit for each other. Your photographer will be with you all day… make sure you like them!”
– Vivid Images Photography
Spanaway, WA
7. Make Sure the Photographer has Back Up Equipment
“One thing that you should always ask about, and insist on, is that your photographer has sufficient backup gear should something stop working. Cameras do fail unexpectedly. Flashes do short out when you least expect them to. It’ll happen to every photographer sooner or later.One of the first weddings I booked was due to a photographer that only had one camera and it broke down the week of the wedding. Any good photographer will have an absolute minimum of two camera bodies, and preferably three or more. And I don’t mean one good camera and a cheap point and shoot as a backup. I mean good, sturdy cameras designed for wedding use. I’ve heard numerous stories over the years from brides, who had a budget photographer with no decent backup gear, and sure enough, something broke and the bride ended up with very few photographs or very poor ones because the photographer didn’t have any backup gear, or cheap gear not up to the task. So make sure your photographer has back up equipment.”
– Allen Hyslip Photography
North Little Rock, AR
“Make sure the photographer carries backup equipment. This may seem like a no brainer, but I have run into several photographers who are just starting out that may own one pro-camera, but have a much lower quality camera as a back up, or have no back up at all. The same is true for flash units
– Will of Forever Images
Michigan City, Indiana
8. Book Early
“Book early! Professionals book 12-18 months in advance!”
–Jason of Hudson Photography Arkansas
“Consider booking your photographer as soon as you set you wedding date and location. This will assure you get an excellent photographer before they are booked.”
– Michael of Michael J. Bain Photography Tucson AZ
“Start booking a year in advance to get the best of the best! Also be sure and ask your photographer for advice about your day. If they’re experienced, they can be a major resource for other types of vendors such as; flowers, reception sites, etc.”
– Tana of Tana Hayes Photography, Ventura CA
Photo Credits: Kelly Phillips Photography, JHunter Photography
<< How to Choose a Wedding Photographer Part 4: You'll Get What You Pay For
