Hiring a wedding photographer is a serious step, despite what you might think at first. This person will be capturing the memories of your wedding that you will see for the rest of your life. You should feel completely confident in your photographer’s ability and skill. To do that, you must know how to find the perfect person for the job.
Get to Know Them
When meeting with a potential, be open to different personality types. They might ask you questions in an attempt to understand your wants and needs in a photographer. While they ask you questions, don’t be afraid to respond with some of your own.
Ask to see their portfolio and credentials as a photographer. Figuring out this information should inform you of their experience level. Pay attention to recurring poses and shots they like to take for weddings. If you would like more information about them, you may want to ask some of their past clients about the experience that they had.
Sign a Contract
Before you make any agreements, you should ask them what they require in terms of paperwork. That may be a weird question at first, but it is worth it in the long run. A photographer that doesn’t think about having their clients sign contracts might be one to avoid.
Contracts help protect both the photographer and the customer receiving the service. They protect the photographer from potential lawsuits and clarify exactly what the buyer will owe them by the end of the event. They can also clarify exactly what you expect from the photographer, preventing any micromanaging situations.
Get Recommendations
One of the best ways to find an excellent photographer is by asking for recommendations from your friends and family. These referrals can reduce the time you spend scouring reviews online and give you a connection with a potential photographer immediately. However, you have to be careful with some referrals.
Sometimes family members will send you to someone who takes pictures as a hobby. While this isn’t inherently a bad choice based on their work, it probably isn’t something that you would think is worth gambling with. Always ask to see their portfolio before you commit to hiring them—even if they were referred to you by a family member.
Overall, there are plenty of ways you can find a high-quality photographer out there. You can find them through familial recommendations, get to know them from their website, or meet them in person for a chat. These are all valid ways to find your photographer.
Looking for a photographer? Contact me to learn more about what I offer!
