\Meet Your Photographer
I have to be honest and admit that I’ve heard quite a bit of wedding photographer drama, ranging from a wide variety of dislikes about photos to even more unfortunate circumstances. My first piece of advice for a bride or groom who is on the hunt for their perfect wedding photographer is: do the engagement session.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to schedule an engagement session before your wedding day—especially if you and the photographer have distance between you. However, if you are in the position to meet your photographer beforehand, do it.
Know If You Like the Photographer
Photography is art; thus, it’s subjective. Someone looking for a wedding photographer might stumble upon a beautiful Instagram feed and immediately sign up.
Doing the engagement session allows you to discover if the photographer aligns with your needs and preferences for your photos. Every client is different, and everyone has different aesthetics.
If you can’t book the session, look for a wedding gallery on the photographer’s website. Don’t just look at the highlight reel of multiple weddings, although they’re stunning. If you can’t find a full gallery, ask the photographer if you can view one.
This is very important!
Every Photographer Is Different
Photography is art; thus, it’s subjective. Someone looking for a wedding photographer might stumble upon a beautiful Instagram feed and immediately sign up.
Doing the engagement session allows you to discover if the photographer aligns with your needs and preferences for your photos. Every client is different, and everyone has different aesthetics.
If you can’t book the session, look for a wedding gallery on the photographer’s website. Don’t just look at the highlight reel of multiple weddings, although they’re stunning. If you can’t find a full gallery, ask the photographer if you can view one.
This is very important!
"I Can't Do an Engagement Session"
I understand that meeting your wedding photographer beforehand might not always be feasible. If that's the case, ask your potential photographer for details about what a typical wedding looks like for them (even though no two weddings are ever the same).
Do they lean more toward an editorial, documentary, cinematic, or flash-focused style?
Do they do more editorial, documentary, cinematic, or with flash?
As a wedding photographer, I want every couple to feel confident and comfortable on their wedding day. An engagement session gives us the chance to get to know each other, learn what works best for you, and create a connection before the big day. It may seem like just another item on your wedding checklist, but it can make one of the biggest differences in how your wedding photos—and your experience—turn out.
