Choosing a wedding photographer is probably one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding. Everything else will literally fall into place around it. You won’t have to worry about capturing every moment accurately and beautifully, because your professional wedding photographer will do that for you. Now, how do you go about choosing the best wedding photographer? To help you out, here is a handy guide with all the important steps.

 

Determine Your Budget First

 

To begin with, decide on a budget that will be reserved exclusively for your wedding photographer. For example, you might want to go in for a single vendor at a time, and after booking that one, set aside the entire amount for it. This will help you narrow down your choices further, as most of the best wedding photographers charge between $2000 – $4000 per day. As the folks at www.kapturly.com explain, this amount can get you hours of video time and photo time, respectively. When you are planning your budget, make sure you are not compromising on quality.

 

A low price might seem attractive now, but remember that it will cost you more in the long run if things don’t turn out well. You can make an exception to this rule if you plan on hiring a photographer who’s just starting out and is offering really cheap packages as a promotional offer.

 

Decide On The Important Aspects Of Photography You Want

 

Your wedding photographer’s portfolio will tell you which features he/she specializes in. Take a good look at it, and decide on the aspect you want to be included in your wedding package. For example, if you want to hire a photojournalistic wedding photographer, you will need to choose a package that includes candid photography.

 

Your photographer will mostly take pictures of moments as they unfold naturally, without the subjects knowing about it. There will be no poses or forced expressions on anyone’s face. You can encourage your guests and family members to let their guard down by telling them about the style of photography your photographer uses and making them feel comfortable with it.

 

Create A List Of Questions To Ask

 

The more information you get for comparison purposes, the better able you will be to make an informed decision. This is where you will use that portfolio talked about in the previous step. Make sure you ask these questions before hiring a wedding photographer:

 

a) How long have they been taking photographs?

 

b) Why did they choose this profession?

 

c) What type of cameras do they use?

 

d) How many weddings have they shot so far?

 

e) Who will be taking the photographs during your wedding and how will he/she divide the time with the rest of the team members?

 

f) How much creative control will you have in deciding the photographs that will be taken on the day of your wedding?

 

g) How will they be taking candid photographs during your wedding?

 

h) What additional services do they offer with their photography packages?

 

i) Do they have a backup plan for any kind of equipment failure?

 

j) How many photos can you expect to be edited and delivered to you?

 

k) Do they offer any kind of album design assistance or do they leave it entirely up to you?

 

l) What is their policy for retouching photos?

 

Get A Written Contract And Pay The Deposit

 

Your wedding photographer will most likely insist on a deposit of at least 10% before your wedding day. Make sure you ask for all the relevant contact information such as names, phone numbers and email addresses of your lead photographer and second in charge (if there is more than one person taking photos on that day).

 

After, it’s time to sign a contract with the chosen photographer. A written contract will ensure there are no misunderstandings between you and your photographer regarding anything like guarantees for prints, delivery of the final product (albums, etc.), payment methods and other details that will come into play.

 

A photographer who knows how to handle challenging situations like last-minute location changes or unreliable weather conditions is definitely what you want on your wedding day. The best way to know if they are capable of doing that is by viewing their portfolio and asking them questions about the kind of pictures they can take. You should also ask for references from previous clients. Finally, it is important to consider your own comfort level with the photographer you are hiring for your wedding. You want someone who can capture all your special moments without interfering too much. At the same time, they have to have a good personality that will work well with everyone involved on that day.