A wedding photographer is one of the most important people at your wedding. They are there to capture for all time you and your new spouse in the first moments of your life together, and they manage to document moments in your wedding and reception that you might not notice at the time. That's why it's essential to do the research that ensures you hire the right photographer for your wedding. While you may see a few photos in their portfolio and think they're a good fit, here are four things to check before you go ahead and hire a particular wedding photographer.
A Photo Package of an Entire Wedding
Many people are swayed by the online portfolio of a photographer, but keep in mind that those are only what the photographer considers to be good work. They will be taking a lot of pictures of your wedding, and you want to be sure that every picture is as good as the ones in their portfolio. Ask them if you can take a look at the finished package of at least one of the weddings they've done. That way, you can get a fuller picture of what you can expect if you hire that particular photographer.
The Emergency Plan
What if your photographer gets food poisoning on the day of your wedding? Who will photograph your wedding if their airline flight is delayed? There is always a chance that the photographer can be a no-show at your wedding, for any number of reasons, and there is no way to guarantee their presence. However, you do need to find out what the plan is for those kinds of situations. Do they have another photographer they recommend, for example? You need to know that no matter what happens, you will have great pictures for your wedding.
The Post-Processing Style
As you look through different portfolios from different photographers, you may see different finishes to the photos. Some have a vintage feel, some look more glowing than others and some seem to be more color-saturated. Photographers usually edit their pictures after they're shot, and add touches of color, light and other features. If you're thinking of hiring a certain photographer, ask about what finishes they use on your photos and make sure you approve of the style before going further.
You may think that you want to look "natural" and want no processing of the pictures at all. However, some photographers don't use any post-processing, and those often look unprofessional and not worth the money you are paying for such timeless shots. Pictures that aren't processed tend to expose blemishes and other visual elements that are not flattering to you, your spouse or your guests.
When you remember the information you've read in this article, you're going to be able to make a better choice. Hiring the perfect wedding photographer will allow you to remember your wedding day in a beautiful way.
The best way to keep your special memories alive is to hire a professional photographer to capture them as they happen. But after working with hundreds of professionals over the years as a special events planner, I know first hand that not all photographers are created equally. Some can really focus in on their human subjects to capture emotion that comes right out of the photos, while others are more attuned to making the surroundings in a photo stand out like a 3D feature. So I figured that I could help people who are looking to hire a photography find the best possible fit for the occasion that is going to be documented. Learn the right questions to ask, find out what types of skills to look for, and figure out what tools and resources are needed to capture all the details of your special event.