07/10/2024
TWO
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of hiring the right photographer for your wedding. I don't just mean a "good" photographer -- the RIGHT photographer for you and your wedding. The photography business has drastically changed since 2001 in terms of the cameras, editing, styles, etc.; however, one part of hiring a photographer for your wedding (or any event, really) that will never change is hiring someone who is reliable, easy to work with, and has a quality portfolio.
We hired this guy to be our photographer (let's call him Bob) and it seemed like a good deal with a photographer who used to work in NYC photographing models. Well... That's not at all how it turned out. To make a really long and dramatic story shorter (like not including the part where Bob threatened to burn down the house of the BBB employee), we were out $1000 and no photographer two weeks before our wedding!!! đąđąđą We found a great photographer who happened to be available since we were getting married on a Friday. In the end, it all worked out. Our photographer we used was great and nice and easy to work with and very skilled.
Picking a photographer requires checking references. Most quality photographers will happily share references. Plus, do the research online - check for reviews, look at the portfolio. I have a 20-point checklist I use to help clients pick a photographer. Those questions include the style and turn-around time. As a wedding planner, when I'm looking for a photographer for my clients, I dig through all the available photos and information to find one that fits their needs before presenting 3 options to my clients. Picking the right photographer is also about personality. The photographer spends so much time with the bridal party. When I'm looking for a photographer for a client, I keep in mind who the bride and groom are and what they are looking for in their dream day.
A good photographer is organized, skilled, and prepared. Your photographer isn't the florist, the decorator, the coordinator, nor the errand-runner. Thankfully there are lots of resources to find the right photographer.