One wedding vendor that couples are most likely to invest in for the big day is a wedding photographer. After all, getting those special moments captured is essential and something you’ll want to look back on. But with SO many different photographers out there, how do you narrow down which one to choose? That’s exactly why Details Nashville is here to tell us exactly what to look for when hiring a wedding photographer. Price and style are often two factors you hear of, but Canaan is diving deeper into those aspects along with much more in the interview below!
What should couples look for when hiring a wedding photographer?
Canaan: Firstly, couples should look for availability. I just covered this very topic recently in another blog. Picture this, you find an amazing photographer, their work is awesome, they have a great personality you vibe with, you make the decision to move forward, and you find out they don’t have your date available. For everyone reading this thinking this is common sense, you’d be amazed at how often this happens! Theres no worse feeling for a couple when trying to book such an important vendor for their wedding day. First things first, always check to see if they have your date open!
Lots of couples shop based on price, but really, what are some other important factors that must be considered before hiring a wedding photographer?I totally get it, price is a very practical and real factor in any service your picking for your wedding. Our counsel is always this, wedding photos last forever, and you get one day to have those photos get done perfectly! We may be biased, but when it comes to photos, it will always be worth spending the money for the photos, to ensure they’re what you want. Now Photography can be subjective on pricing sometimes. You may find your perfect photographer in any budget, because theres no set rate for the industry. However, if you find the perfect photographer and you’ll have to spend a little more to book them, I highly encourage you to do so. Theres most likely a reason that photographer can charge the rates they do, because they’re worth it. Other things to consider are personality. Do you vibe with the photographer? You’re going to be with them all day, and theres nothing worse that having an awkward person who you don’t really get along with taking photos of you all day! I think this is often over looked, but the photographers personality is so important. Also look at their style, their work may be beautiful, but is it what you want for your wedding day? If you’re looking for fun, engaging photos with lots of laughter and Candids, but the photographer you’re meeting with is mostly fine art, posed shots, then that might not be a good fit!
How can couples know if their wedding photographer is going to be reliable?
Canaan: Communication. This is key, If your photographer is a poor communicator, late to email responses, doesn’t answer questions, doesn’t meet deadlines on important info etc. This could be a clue that your wedding day may be the same way with them. You’re paying for a very important service, for a very important day in your life. Your photographer should treat their interactions with you in a way that reflects that importance. Another clue could be timeliness in their initial response. If you reach out to inquire about their services but they don’t get back to you within a reasonable time, then that may be a clue that as a client, you may not be a top priority. Now theres always a million reasons why someone is late to a response, so grace and understanding is of course a great rule of thumb.
How can you be sure that your photographer will capture your wedding day in the way you hope?
Canaan: I know we just talked about communication, so let’s keep that one going. We always talk with our couples about the feel and style they envision for their wedding day. Our personal style is a mix of romantic moments and lots of laughs. We always tell our couples, we want you to have the most fun, and be the most relaxed that you can be with us on your wedding day. We’re together all day, so it’s important that we vibe really well. In addition to our conversations where we get to know you better, we have a robust questionnaire that helps us know all your must haves, as well as all the important logistics of the day. This helps us have a clear understanding of whats important to you. Our recommendation is to sit down as your looking through photographers and discuss what it is you want from your experience, give it some thought before you start meeting with photographers.
Is there anything else you can share about hiring a wedding photographer?
Canaan: Take it seriously, 20 years from now, you want to be able to pull up your photos and still love them as much as the day you first saw them. It can seem like one more thing on the wedding checklist, but when rough years hit, or your feeling nostalgic, or you just want to smile, having wedding photos that bring you back to that amazing day with your significant other, makes all the difference. Hope this was helpful. Much love.
Canaan’s advice is spot on! We can’t thank him enough for sharing. Be sure to check out Details Nashville if you’re still in the market for an AMAZING wedding photographer!
