How to Hire Your Wedding Photographer; INVALUABLE Advice from a Nashville Wedding Planner
Monday, December 17, 2012
When you are recently engaged, it makes sense to start your search for a photographer by visiting websites like Ashleys Bride Guide, which lead you to blogs and websites to check out photographers. But what then? At some point, you have to narrow down those you like and meet them in person. Instead of asking a photographer for advice on how to hire a photographer, I decided to reach out to a wedding planner who hears the testimonials and gripes directly from brides about photographers on who they loved, didn't love, and what they wish they'd done. Sarah Willard of Music City Events' advice below on how to hire your photographer is absolutely invaluable and will save you a lot of stress and regrets down the road.
Expert advice from Sarah, a Nashville wedding planner
I always suggest that brides work with a planner when looking at photographers. It is one of THE most stressful things to research and compare. It truly is like apples and basketballs. Besides the fact that they are both round (photographers) it's impossible to compare them accurately!
Photos above: Jonathon Campbell Photography
Look at their websites. And Facebook profiles. And blogs. And Twitter tweets. This will give you a sense of their personality and the style photos they take. Pay attention to the lighting, posing, and structure of the photos you like. Try to narrow it down to just 3 or 4 at the most. Schedule a meeting with the photographer. E-mails are easy and efficient and a great way to keep track of things.
When you meet with your photographer, I always recommend that my couples pay attention to the following things:
1) Are they actually listening to you? Are they responding to your question or do they have a pat response for everything you say? There is a difference between answering standard questions (i.e.: What are your package options?) and questions based on YOU.
2) Do you feel comfortable? Do you feel like you could grab drinks or coffee with them later on?
3) Can you imagine them capturing your wedding day and the way you feel?
Photo: Gregory Byerline
Photo above: Phindy Studios
Other tips based on my conversations with photographers and others:
- Meet with your photographer in person. Be educated; don't based things completely on phone/email conversation because it's about style, personality, connection, budget.
- They will spend 10 - 15 hours on their feet with you; you need to like them.
- You have to like their personality unlike your caterer, lighting, rentals.
- Fall in love their customer service (not just their product); hire them like you hire a planner.
- You need to trust them, want to be around them.
- Beware of on the spot, bridal show deals. You need more interaction time before hiring.
I ALWAYS stress the fact that your photographer will be within 10-15 feet of you for most of your wedding day. Be sure you like them, because they will certainly be very close to you all day!! If you do not feel comfortable around them or do not feel like you can say anything - it WILL show in your photos! Your planner and your photographer are the not-friend-or-family people you interact with the most on your wedding day. If you don't love them, you will be miserable.
I encourage my clients to meet with their photographers with their fiance (NOT your mom or sister or cousin or best friend) because you need to be sure YOU connect with them. It can be challenging to connect with someone over phone or e-mail!
If at all in your budget, I encourage both engagement and bridal portraits. This not only gives you lovely images of you and your intended but it also allows you and your photographer to interact with each other. Engagement photos help your photographer know you as a couple: i.e. What makes you smile? What makes you roll your eyes (with love!) at your fiance? What makes your eyes sparkle? Bridal portraits, among other things, help you to know your dress and how you move, sit, stand, and walk in it. It also gives you freedom to just enjoy that beautiful gown and have some incredible photographs taken without the pressure of a wedding schedule.
I could go on and on - photography is something I feel very strongly about and is so very important to a wedding day!
.jpg)
.jpg)
Photos above: Wedlock Images
About the Author:
Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide
Hey - I'm Ashley! I started AshleysBrideGuide.com to give Nashville brides, or folks planning a Nashville wedding, a local resource for inspiration and resources. Hope to see you at a bridal show soon! Happy Planning.
send
Posted on December 17, 2012 |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Photography, Wedding Planners & Coordinators
