The photographer is an extremely important part of the wedding day. You want to do your homework and make sure you’re choosing the right one for you. Someone professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. You don’t want to accidentally book an eighth grade photography student shooting on his iPhone for extra credit! Here are some tips of what to look for when picking the person who’s going to immortalize your special day!
1. Great Portfolio – They should have an awesome portfolio. Do their pictures pop? Are the compositions striking? Do they have a lot of samples of their work, and are they consistently impressive? Do they know how to pose people? Or is every photo just people milling around frowning with their backs half-turned to the camera? If you think you’re not sure of what constitutes a “great photograph”, just trust your gut. If their work makes you say “Wow,” that’s all you need. You’ll know it when you see it.
2. Lighting – Pay extra attention to lighting. What do their indoor low light photos look like? Outdoor photos are easier to make look good. The sun is the best lighting of them all. But when a photographer has to control the light themselves and make artistic decisions on the fly, that’s when you can tell if someone is a pro. An awesome photographer will excel in these low light conditions. Good low light photos also indicates that they’re using professional gear.
3. Personality – The ideal personality of a photographer is assertive yet polite. If they’re too assertive, then they might turn out to be a control freak or kind of rude. And that’s no fun. The last thing you need on your wedding day is someone killing the vibe because they think they’re an artiste. ( In other words, a great photographer is there to make you look good, you’re not there to make them look good.) On the flip side, if they’re too polite or shy, they might not be able to effectively guide and instruct your wedding party into getting the best shots. You want a good balance: Someone who is easy to work with but knows what they need and how to best get it.
4. Don’t Worry About the Venue – Some people worry if the photographer being familiar with the venue matters. And to be honest, it really isn’t important if they’ve shot there before or not. Unless your venue is really unique or strange. If you’re getting married at the bottom of a treacherous canyon accessible only via three hour donkey ride, or if your reception is on a boat surrounded by undetonated WWII ocean mines, then yes, please give your photographer a heads up. Otherwise, a professional photographer knows how to get great pictures in any venue. They’re used to adapting to the environment, and they have enough experience to get amazing shots anywhere.
With these things in mind, you’re now ready to find an awesome photographer! Someone who will suit your needs and make you and your loved ones look great!