As Drew and I planned our wedding last July, we agreed that we would splurge/spend time to make these three things a priority:
1. Book an awesome photographer 2. Find a venue that has meaning to us 3. Create an environment where our guests have fun + feel valued
As the word spread about our engagement, and we started to book some details, the number one question we were asked was, "WHO ARE YOU GONNA HAVE PHOTOGRAPH YOUR WEDDING?! How will you ever choose?!" I'll be honest, I was extremely picky about who we chose. I spent hours going through websites, portfolios, and sending emails to photographers. But these three steps helped me choose a photographer that we LOVED, and I hope it'll help you, too!
STEP ONE: Know what you want
Once you know what you want, what you like, and what speaks to you in photographs, the quicker you will be able to narrow down your list of photographers.
When you think of your wedding photos, what do you imagine them looking like? Do you picture yourself standing next to your love, smiling at the camera? Or do you picture yourself smiling at each other (seemingly oblivious that you're getting photographed)? What about reception pictures - do you love dancing pictures that look like a wild party, or do you like the romantic black and whites of the father/daughter dance?
There are several types of wedding photography. Check out this link to narrow down which one speaks to you: "Wedding Photography Styles" We love photographing weddings in a lifestyle + documentary style!
STEP TWO: Spend time together
There is nothing that can damper a wedding day faster than drama + tension. Picking a photographer that you enjoy being around, trust, and can have fun with is absolutely vital.
I'll never forget Skyping with our photographer for the first time. Drew and I were so nervous! I was all worried about what we should say, do, etc. but before we knew it, we were joking and carrying on like we were all old friends. After that, I knew we found our perfect photographer.
What type of person do you want to spend 8+ hours with? Do you want someone that's easy to talk to? Funny? Authoritative and organized? Do you want to not notice that they are there? There is only one way to find out if you and your potential photographer will mesh: spend time with them! Grab a coffee together. Skype each other and talk wedding details. If you feel like long lost friends, meeting for the first time, chances are that you'll love spending the most important day of your life with them! Drew and I love leaving a wedding feeling like we just photographed our friends' wedding. It's so special to have a connection with our couples.
Jenna and I getting her bridal shots (and probably giggling about my awkward squatting pose)
STEP THREE: Go with your gut
It's so important that you and your fiancé feel good about your decision. That you trust your photographer 100% to not only show up, but to get photos you'll be proud to show your friends and family for years to come.
Don't fret if you can't find a photographer that lives in your area that meets the above criteria. Now a days, photographers can (and are happy to) travel all over the globe to shoot weddings. We offer awesome packages that make it affordable for us to travel all over for weddings. Don't let geography hold you back from booking your perfect photographer!
In the end, if you feel a connection with a photographer's style, you can envision spending the whole day with them, and your gut is saying, "I LOVE THEM!" then go for it, dear! Book that photographer.
If you think we could be your perfect photographer, I'd love to talk, grab coffee and get to know you! Send me some love: