Choosing a Photographer That Matches Your Wedding Day Vibe

For nearly every couple, the photographer is the key vendor. While all vendors are important to bring your plan to life, the photographer will directly influence how you look back on that special day. The art of photography is extremely versatile and every photographer will capture the day in their own unique way. When choosing a photographer, consider your preferred style, assess your local options, and pursue the best fit. Remember, style is just as important as their personality; the photographer will be with you for the entirety of the day.

Style

The first step in finding your perfect photographer is to determine which style matches your wedding day aesthetic and stands the test of time. Imagine showing these pictures to your future grandchildren, are you still in love with them? Some of the popular wedding photography styles are: traditional, documentary, editorial, vintage, and warm or desaturated.

Traditional style photos mostly consist of posed portraits, with very few candids. Nearly every other style will incorporate portraits in some form, but this style especially highlights them. Documentary, also called Photojournalistic, is a technique where the photographer becomes a fly on the wall and gives minimal direction. The goal is the capture authentic emotion and to tell the story of the day with mostly candid photos. Nearly opposite of Documentary is the Editorial style. An Editorial photographer will give lots of direction; the resulting photos will have a curated, magazine look. A recent favorite is Vintage-style film photography. There are a few ways this look is achieved, the photographer may shoot on a film camera, use a filter lens attachment, or create the look during the editing process. These photos will feel nostalgic from the first time you see them. The last two styles, Warm and Desaturated, are a result of editing the coloring after the photos are taken. The Warm style will enhance red, yellow, and orange tones for an overall golden result. All the colors in the Desaturated style will be muted to create a more moody feel. Take a look at photographers who specialize in each style to see which one speaks to you!

Finding a Match

Once you have picked your ideal style, it’s time to look for photographers who will see your creative vision! There are many ways to get connected with photographers; ask a recently married friend, scroll Instagram, browse vendor sites like The Knot or Wedding Wire, or ask your wedding planner. Your planner will have a list of preferred photographers that they have worked with in the past. Choosing a planner-recommended photographer will guarantee a great experience; this person will be professional, friendly, and take stellar photos. Now that you have a few options in mind, deep dive into their portfolios. Most photographers have a website containing samples of their best work. Their past work will clearly demonstrate their style in many different settings. Look for photos shot at a venue similar to yours, this will give the most accurate idea of how your photos will turn out. If you are getting married at a resort, but all their photos are taken at beaches, keep in mind how the environment can change the results.

Before Booking

Now that you have narrowed down the options to your top photographers, it is time to chat with each potential choice. While we encourage a face-to-face meeting, it is perfectly fine to schedule a call instead. Before the meeting, prepare any questions that will help you determine who is the best fit. This may include questions about their style, process, what to expect on the wedding day if they have worked at your venue before, their service offerings, or personal questions. After the meeting, assess how it went and whether or not they may be the right fit. Here are five questions to get started:

1. How long have you been a wedding photographer?

2. What do you love most about being a wedding photographer?

3. Have you ever shot at our venue?

4. How would you describe your style?

5. Can I see a full gallery of a few recent weddings?

There are a ton of wonderful and talented photographers out there just waiting to meet you! Keeping each of these steps in mind, choosing a style, evaluating portfolios, and getting to know the photographer, will ensure a fantastic outcome in experience and photos alike. Need some recommendations to start your search? We would love to help! Schedule a consultation with us today to get access to our favorite photographers in the Phoenix area.