You have a great man and a fabulous ring….and now you are off! Planning a wedding, can at times, feel like you are in a race. Choose the date, then the location and then all the vendors that come with it before all the others getting married on the same day…WOW!
Hopefully this will help out a bit as you begin to search for one of the most important vendors- the people who will capture the moments and provide you with the visual memories to remember your special day…your photographer!
There are definitely photographers out there for all budgets…and you do not have to spend thousands and thousands to get a good, quality photographer. You do need to do a bit of research and some interviewing to find the perfect match. These tips may help you to find the person that is right for you-
1. MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER- Would you order your wedding dress and have it shipped to the church to see and put on for the first time on your wedding day??? Would you choose your menu and taste it for the first time at your reception?? Would you let your family choose the location for your reception and surprise you with it on the big day??? THEN WHY DO THAT WITH THE PERSON WHO WILL CAPTURE THE DAY??? This person will be around you for 8 to 10 hours. You have to get along with your photographer, let them know what you like and dislike, and let then get comfortable with your style. You do not want to meet this person and realize you have conflicting personalities. An in-person meeting is the best way to ensure you have chosen the best match.
2. Look at a complete wedding from the photographer shooting your day- See how this person viewed the wedding they were shooting. See how the story is told through the photographer’s eyes. You can tell what details the photographer catches…is it more than just your shoes and jewelry? You want emotion, sweet kisses, the look in your father’s eye as he sees his daughter all grown up…make sure the photos reflect what you would want captured on your day.
3. Ask for references- Talk to others who have worked with this photographer to make sure the way he/she comes across at your first meeting is consistent through the day of your wedding. Was this person on time? Were they flexible with reasonable changes in the wedding day schedule.
4. Ask the photographer for input on picture locations- Weather is unpredictable and so is Chicago traffic. It is important to have a plan A and plan B for pictures. You should not be the only one looking for the ideal spot to capture special moments. Your photographer should be knowledgeable or be willing to look into some options for you.
5. Make sure to ask questions- Besides questions on photography, ask questions on the deposit and contract. Is an engagement session included (highly recommended to have these taken even if you have to pay extra for them)? Can packages be customized? Make a knowledgeable choice!
Good luck as you venture out to find the perfect photographer…here are a few that SPM has worked with…
Becky Hill Photography (www.beckyhillphoto.com)
Jennifer Mordini Photography (www.jennifermordini.com)
Husar Photography (www.husarphotography.com)
Kelley Demas Photography (www.kelleydemasphotography.com)
Pret-a-Poser Photography (www.Pretaposer.com)
The wedding photographer is a key member of your wedding. You spent allot of time and money planning to this day from choosing the right dress, and cake, designing the menu and writing the vows. The wedding photographer is the one who is actually going to document all of these details for you.