Congratulations! You are getting married and you want to make sure your big day is magical. You’ll definitely want a photographer who can capture all of that magic on camera. Finding a wedding photographer is one of the most important tasks on the wedding planning checklist.
Regardless of how simple or glamorous your wedding might be, you will want to make sure you have a professional wedding photographer that suits your and your fiancé's desires.
Here is a guide to help you make the right decision when researching and selecting a wedding photographer.
Photography Style
Deciding on the style of
wedding pictures you connect with the most is important in your research phase. You should make sure your photographer matches the overall
aesthetic and feel that you are trying to convey in your pictures. For example, if you want a photographer specializing in
traditional photos, you wouldn’t select someone whose portfolio consists of
trendy or “
in the moment” photography. Are you all for
romance and
intimate moments that tell your love story or are you and your fiancé into
fun and
quirky pictures? Making this decision will help you tremendously with your search.
Narrowing the Search
Once you determine the overall style of photographs you are interested in, you should make a collection of the pictures that you are drawn to from some of the photography vendors. You should look through galleries of wedding photographers in your area and see which ones capture your attention the most. Make a spreadsheet of the wedding photographers you want to reach out to. You should also ask to see a full gallery of a recent wedding they covered which will give you a better glance at their work.
Make Connections
Once you have a list of a few photographers, you will need to know what type of packages they offer, how many hours are included, if it includes videography, overall pricing, and if there is any room for negotiations. Trusting and connecting with your photographer is imperative because they will be with you and your family all day long. Make sure your personalities match and that you vibe well with each other. Some photographers will include engagement photos in their package which is great because it allows you to have a trial run. This will allow you to see their approach and process in action. You should also find out their overall turnaround time and what their copyright permissions are.
Budget
One of the most critical factors in the wedding photographer search process is coming up with a budget. You and your fiancé should have a general idea of how much you are willing to spend on pictures.
The average cost of a wedding photographer can start around $1,200. Outside of the base cost, it is also important that you remember to tip appropriately. The proper etiquette for tipping is 15-20% of the total. Also, don’t forget to feed your photographer and all other vendors! It is not only expected but it may also be required in some contracts.
Options For You
Now that you know how to find the perfect photographer for your big day, check out some of the best photographers in Arizona.
For timeless, edgy, and modern wedding pictures taken at awesome destinations, check out
Depoy Studios.
For compelling films and beautiful, meaningful photography, reach out to
Lee Media Weddings.
AZ Wedding Photographer excels at capturing all of those big, joyful, and epic moments with their photography. They also have a photo booth available for rent.
