Getting
married is a major milestone that you will remember all your life,
and having beautiful wedding photos to cherish your entire life will
only enhance those memories. This is why choosing the right wedding
photographer is so important, as not only will the photographer be
capturing the most important event in your life to date, he or she
will also ensure that the photos are taken correctly, in the best
light, and with the best equipment available within your budget. With
so many other decisions to make regarding your wedding, choosing the
photographer rates high in terms of importance, but there are five
simple steps you can take that will help you find one that's the
perfect fit for your budget and your needs.
Step
One: Consider Your Overall Budget
Before
you know what you can spend on a photographer for your wedding, you
need to prepare a budget for all of your wedding expenses so that you
know what you have to spend and what you will need to spend. You
should plan to spend at least ten percent of your budget on a
photographer, for both the services and so that you can buy the
negatives and photo packages later on. Keep in mind that the most
expensive photographer is not necessarily the best one, and that you
don't have to go over budget in order to have a trendy or well-known
photographer present at your wedding when another photographer can
take the same photos for half the price.
Step
Two: Know Your Photography Needs
Before
you choose a photographer, consider what type of poses you're
considering and whether you want professional photos taken both
before and after the wedding. Some photographers charge by the photo,
while others charge by event, and others charge by the hour. Consider
your budget and then narrow down your choices even further by
deciding if you want a professional photographer to capture the
entire event, or if you simply want to ensure that the important
moments of the ceremony are photographed professionally.
Step Three: Create a Shortlist of Qualified Photographers
Now that you have your budget well in hand, you can start to research
local photographers in your area. Create a shortlist of photographers
by eliminating those that are too expensive or that can't meet your
needs. If you're not sure where to find photographers, you can ask
friends who have married recently, at bridal shops, or at bridal
message forums online. Don't forget to read online reviews of the
photographers you are considering, if there are any available. St
Petersburg wedding photographers Anna & Catie from PixelArt
Photography says: “ Finding a qualified photographer can be very
difficult. Be sure they: are insured, have a good variety of photos
in their portfolio (no just beautiful “model” images), and hire a
photographer that fits your personality and event style.”
Step
Four: Contact Qualified Photographers
Once
you have your shortlist in place, it's time to reach out to the
photographers you have chosen. Conduct phone interviews so that you
can get a feel of their overall personality and so that you can ask
specific questions about how they photograph events and whether there
are any extra charges that aren't listed on their website. Be
suspicious of photographers that aren't willing to discuss their fees
or those that seem unwilling to listen to your ideas, as honesty and
an open mind are two traits that any wedding photographer should
have. This will also help you narrow your list down even further.
Step
Five: Meet With Your Prospective Photographers
Once
you have one or two choices left on your list, make an appointment to
meet with them personally. This way, you can view their portfolios;
see what kind of equipment they use, and talk about how they go about
photographing a wedding. You can also discuss specific fees, what
kind of poses you'd like him or her to photograph, and whether they
will need anything special in order to take their photos. If time is
not a factor, try and interview several different photographers to
compare prices and techniques, as one photographer's style is more
likely to gel with yours than another.
Hiring
the right wedding photographer is vital to creating memories that
will be shared not only by you and your spouse, but with generations
of family for years to come. Following these five steps will not only
ensure that you find the photographer that is right for you and your
budget, but for the most important day of your life as well.
Author
Bio: Krista Esparza is a full-time web content developer with
over three years' experience in writing for the Web and to date has
written over 2,500 different articles over a wide range of topics,
from travel to health care to women's issues. She currently lives in
New Mexico with her family and a variety of pets.
