The Best Wedding Photographers: What to Look For?

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and the photos taken during this day are lasting memories that you will cherish forever. Choosing the right wedding photographer is therefore one of the most important decisions in preparing for your big day. But what exactly should you pay attention to when looking for the perfect photographer? In this blog, we share tips and advice to ensure that you find the photographer that is perfect for you.

1. Photography style

Every photographer has their own style of photography. Before you choose a photographer, it is important to consider which style suits you best. Here are a few popular styles:

• Traditional/Classic: This style emphasizes posed photos and traditional setups. The result is timeless photos with classic portraits of the bride and groom and guests.
• Journalistic/Documentary: Instead of posed photos, a journalistic photographer focuses on spontaneous moments. This type of photographer captures the day as it happens, with real emotions and events without much posing.
• Fine Art: This style is creative and artistic. The photographer will pay attention to light, composition, and details to create almost artful images. Fine art photography can feel a bit staged, but often results in very unique and beautiful photos.
• Boho/Vintage: For a more relaxed and natural atmosphere, you can opt for a boho or vintage-style photographer. This style is all about soft colors, lots of natural elements and a dreamy, rustic look.

It’s important to choose the style of photographer that best suits your personality and the feeling you want to capture. Take a look at their portfolios to get a good idea of how they approach their work.

2. Check your portfolio

A photographer’s portfolio is their calling card. When browsing through the portfolios of potential photographers, pay attention to the following things:

• Consistency: Make sure the style and quality of the photos are consistent across their portfolio. This will give you a good idea of what to expect.
• Details and moments: Are they good at capturing the important moments, such as the first kiss, the cutting of the cake, or the first dance? Also pay attention to the small details, such as flowers, decorations and emotions of the guests.
• Use of light: Weddings often take place in a variety of different types of light, from bright daylight to dim evenings. See if the photographer is good at handling different lighting conditions.
• Group photos and portraits: Wedding photography isn’t just about spontaneous moments; Posed group photos and portraits are also important. Make sure the photographer has experience in this as well.

3. Personality of the photographer

The photographer will spend a large part of your day with you, so it is important that you have a good connection with him or her. The best way to assess this is to schedule a face-to-face meeting or a video call. Here are some things to look out for:

• Communication: Is the photographer easily accessible and clear in their communication? You want everything to run smoothly on the big day, and good communication is essential for that.
• Comfort and confidence: Do you feel comfortable with the photographer? You’ll be spending a lot of time with this person on one of the most intimate days of your life, so you need to be confident in their abilities and enjoy their presence.
• Flexibility: Every wedding is different, and unexpected situations can always pop up. It’s important that your photographer is flexible and able to cope well with changes in the schedule or circumstances.

4. Price and packages

Photography is often one of the bigger investments in a wedding, but it’s an investment worth it. The cost of a photographer can vary greatly depending on experience, location, and the type of packages offered. When comparing prices, pay attention to the following:

• What’s included?: Check what exactly is included in the package. Some photographers only offer digital photos, while others also have albums or prints in their packages. Also check how many hours of photography are included in the package and whether there are additional costs for travel time or editing.
• Extras: Ask for any extras such as a second photographer, extra hours or special albums. These can increase costs, but can also be an added value, especially if you want to capture more moments.
• Editing costs: Editing photos can take a lot of time. Make sure you understand how long it will take the photographer to edit the photos and how many are included in the package.

5. Ask about experience with weddings

Not every photographer is experienced in wedding photography. A photographer can be excellent at portrait photography or landscapes, but weddings come with unique challenges. Here are some questions you can ask to check if they have experience with weddings:

• How many weddings have you photographed before?
• How do you deal with changing lighting conditions or last-minute schedule changes?
• Do you have experience with both indoor and outdoor locations?
• Can you handle large groups of people during group photos?

An experienced wedding photographer knows how to adapt quickly to different situations and is likely to have a lot of helpful tips and advice to make the day go as smoothly as possible.

6. Delivery time and delivery

After your wedding, you want to review your photos as soon as possible, but post-processing can sometimes take some time. Ask your photographer how long it will take to receive the final photos and in what format you will receive them (digital, album, prints). A professional photographer will give a realistic delivery time and ensure that the quality of the photos remains high, even if it takes a little longer.

7. Reviews and recommendations

Reading reviews and getting recommendations from others is a good way to learn more about the experience with a specific photographer. Check out online reviews on platforms like Google or social media, or ask friends and family if they can recommend a photographer. Look for consistently positive feedback on aspects such as professionalism, reliability, and the quality of the photos.

Conclusion: What suits you best?

Choosing a wedding photographer is an important decision, and it’s about more than just beautiful photos. You want to find someone who can capture your personality, who is reliable, and who can capture the day exactly as you envision. Take the time to research different photographers, look at portfolio books, and connect in person. Wedding Company is happy to help you prepare for your perfect day, from the dress to the final details, including finding the photographer who can capture the most beautiful moments forever.