Choosing a Wedding Photographer, PT 1
The venue is your canvas on your special day. Choose a photographer who knows how to use it to make your photos look amazing!
As you plan your wedding there are many choices you will have to make to make it the celebration you’ve always dreamed of.
Besides the wedding venue that will host your celebrations (ahem!), how you capture the essence of your special day is one of the most important choices you’ll make as you decide on services. Your wedding photos are not just images; they are timeless keepsakes that narrate your unique love story - they will outlast the food, the flowers and even that awesome dance routine you and your friends practiced for weeks.
I’ll admit some bias as I write about photography - yours truly has been a photographer for decades, shooting dance, weddings, portraiture, street work and the like. I revel in the technical and aesthetic choices that a photographer balances as they work. I’ve also directly worked on the tools that most photographers use today so I might nerd out a bit. Apologies in advance.
The Style Factor
Selecting the right photographer for your style is crucial, as they bring more than just technical skills to your event; they bring their vision, style, and personality as well as their camera and lenses. With the proliferation of decent cameras in every pocket, you may be tempted to rely on friends/family to do this job and save a few dollars, but we suggest that you’ll regret it down the line. Having a capture device (however capable) is just one small part of a photographer’s job, so we always recommend hiring a professional that brings the proper hardware but also the experience to use them to your advantage.
Your parents didn’t have near the choices you have today when choosing a style that suits your vision. Here are a few broad categories that you should think about as you browse photographer galleries:
Photojournalism/documentary photography - a candid, ethnographic approach to photography that looks to document in-situ moments vs. posed formats.
Drone photography - brings an aerial perspective to both photo and video work.
Film Aesthetic - Faithfully recreating the trends of a previous generation of technology - bringing grain, film stock, dynamic range options and vintage hardware together that recalls the history of photography.
Hard Flash photography - a trend that uses direct, on camera flashe to create a dynamic, paparazzi look and feel.
Fashion photography - blending posing with a high fashion-influenced vision.
Black & White vs. Color photography - the primary use of tones vs. colors in photography
Environmental portraiture - capturing photos that include a broader context - the venue, nature, special activities or hobbies.
Blurred Action photography - using light and movement to bring a dramatic take on events.
AI-enhanced photography - The latest generation of photographic tools in the digital space bring new and exciting options to a photographers toolkit. From enhanced retouching to complete rework of the visual aspects of a photo - its an exciting and interesting trend that will only get more important.
Note that many photographers will have a favorite style that they market to brides, but may blend them together in ways that are unique. Remember, its all about a style and vision for photographers.
It’s More Than Photos Now
Furthermore, consider that most brides are now looking at a broader set of documentary tools that was available to previous generations of brides - videography has been around for quite awhile and now we see the rise of social media-focused content creators that bring a vision focused on speedy sharing of in-the-moment multi-media snippets that are all the rage these days. Hardcover albums and even online galleries are just one part of the story these days.
We’ve asked several of our preferred vendor photographers, each with their distinctive approach to their work, to chime in with their own perspective on what is important to consider when making this choice.
Let’s hear from our pros…
Jackie’s Five Essential Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Photographer and Videographer
Jackie Siggard is an award winning Utah photographer based in Utah Valley. She insists she has the best job ever, which allows her to passionately capture the moments that tell the her client’s unique story.
When it comes to planning your wedding, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing a photographer and videographer to capture the day. Here are five key tips to keep in mind to ensure you make a choice that you'll be thrilled with, both now and for years to come.
1. Check for Backup Gear
Anything can happen on your wedding day—equipment failures, unexpected weather changes, you name it. Your photographer should come prepared for all possibilities, especially when it comes to having backup gear. We bring five cameras and six lenses to every event, so if one piece of equipment fails, we’re ready to keep capturing every special moment. Don’t be afraid to ask about backup gear; it’s a critical part of delivering a reliable service. Your wedding day deserves to be documented without any interruptions.
2. Look for Dual Card Writing Capability
One of the simplest ways to safeguard your wedding memories is by choosing a photographer who uses dual card writing. This feature allows each photo to be written to two memory cards simultaneously, so if one card fails, the other has you covered. We always shoot with dual cards, and after your wedding, we go the extra mile by backing up your images to our computer and two hard drives. This multi-layered backup approach is just one of the ways we ensure your memories are preserved safely. Make sure to ask potential photographers about their backup process; it's a must-have for peace of mind.
3. Efficiency with Family Photos
Family photos are a special part of any wedding, but they don’t have to take hours. I’ve seen photographers spend up to two hours on family portraits, which can eat into the time you could be enjoying with guests. We come prepared with a structured shot list and have a streamlined approach, allowing us to complete family photos in 30 minutes or less. This way, you get all the photos you want without feeling rushed and still have plenty of time to soak in the day. Be sure to choose a photographer who can keep things moving efficiently.
4. Choose Someone Experienced with All Lighting Situations
Weddings are rarely held in ideal studio lighting, and as the day progresses, lighting conditions change constantly. You’ll want a photographer who can handle all types of lighting—from outdoor ceremonies in full sunlight to dimly lit indoor receptions. As experienced photographers, we’re prepared for every scenario, whether it’s the soft light of a sunset ceremony or the dramatic shadows of a candle-lit reception. Ask potential photographers about their experience with different lighting conditions, and look for a portfolio that shows versatility. It’s key to ensuring your photos look stunning no matter where or when they’re taken.
5. Make Sure You Love Their Style
Your photographer’s style should align with your vision. If you’re drawn to natural, documentary-style shots, choose a photographer who specializes in that style. Likewise, if you prefer more posed or editorial photos, make sure that’s what they’re known for. Expecting a photographer to adapt their style on the spot can lead to disappointment, so be sure to book someone whose work resonates with you. Remember, these images will become cherished memories, and you want them to reflect a style you’ll love for a lifetime.
Why These Tips Matter
I learned the importance of these details firsthand. When I got married, I hired a photographer who was just starting photography and I wish I would have hired a professional because half of the day was pretty stressful, I was left wishing I’d done more research. That experience has driven me to ensure every couple I work with feels confident and secure in their choice.
Your wedding day is about celebrating love, joy, and unforgettable moments. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding a photographer and videographer who will not only capture those moments beautifully but also allow you to relax and fully enjoy the day. Here’s to creating memories you’ll cherish forever!
Jackie Siggard
@jackiesiggardphotovideo
Julia’s Steps to Choosing a Photographer
Julia Mather Nicholes also insists she has the best job in the world - documenting love, families and their beautiful journeys.
Choosing a wedding photographer can be a big decision, especially with many talented options in Utah to choose from. To help you kickstart your search, here’s a simple guide to consider as you begin your wedding planning journey.
Step #1 - Decide what the photo style that speaks to you
Every wedding photographer has their style, and you want to make sure that their style is what you want to post, print and look back on for years to come.
With Timeless/True to Color photography, your photographs colors are very close to what you see in real life. These will age very well as photography editing trends change constantly. Another style is Bright & Airy photography are usually overexposed, where whites in the photo are edited to the max. Finally, Dark & Moody photographs are the opposite - generally they are dark and have a higher contrast evoking a more dramatic look.
Step #2 - Make a list of photographers that you like
You’re going to feel like a stalker, but spend alot of time on instagram and/or Pinterest and do your research. Look for what kind of photographs speak out to you, save the photographer’s instagram handle.
A very handy trick - if you know what venue your wedding will be at, go to their website and social media and look at the photos they have posted. Find out which photographers work at your dream venue, and envision your day in their editing style in-situ.
Step #3 - Do your research
Once you’ve found some photographers that really fit with your vibe, let their work speak thru their instagram feed or other social media posts.
Look for REAL reviews! Anyone can put a quote on their website, but search each photographer, look at the reviews on google where real past clients can leave their recommendations / experiences.
Review their website for pricing, options and the like so you’re ready to discuss this with them when you reach out.
Despite my obvious bias, I caution you on lowering your budget here. You’ll be tempted, especially when you begin factoring in other pieces of the puzzle, as you risk lower quality results or hiring someone is less than professional. Remember, your photos are going to be the one item that outlives everything else but the memories - its a real investment to have your special day documented properly.
Step #4 - Reach out to your top 2 or 3 candidates
Once you’ve found your desired style, defined your budget and done your research, now it’s time to reach out to them.
Your first question should be - are they available? You don’t want to waste time with photographers who are already booked on your special day.
Then ask about pricing for your specific needs. When it comes to pricing, most photographers should present basic pricing on their website, but dig in.
You might want to ask if they have a past gallery at the locations that backdrop your special day. Don’t be afraid to ask for a gallery with the same package that you are wanting to book (engagements, bridals, wedding day or just wedding day) to see what you’ll be purchasing.
Remember that the photographers are people too and are thrilled to be receiving your contact, make sure that you communicate with them and please don’t ghost them. We would rather know ASAP if you found another photographer, then be left hanging.
When contacting a photographer, don’t forget to include the following:
Share a little bit about yourself and your fiancé
Tell your photographer why you’ve chosen to reach out to them
Explain what you are envisioning for your day - how many hours you are needing, where your wedding will be, your date, what kind of vibe you want your day to be - you really can’t give too much detail!
Ask for a few full galleries of past weddings
Ask what moving forward looks like. What is the deposit, can you see the contract, etc.
Ask how payments are made, how they are broken up, and if they offer payment plans etc.
Find out how long it will take for your photos to come back to you - what is the photographer’s turn around time for engagements? For bridals? For your wedding day? Do you get sneak peeks? How do they deliver them?
If you are looking at several photographers, don’t be afraid to let us know, give us a heads up if you are still looking around, or if you are sure that the photographer you are inquiring about is the photographer you want for your day - tell them!
With all of this information before you, don’t hesitate to ask for a proposal from each photographer so you can make more of a decision by looking at all of the information, side by side.
Julia Mather
@Juliamatherphoto
Summary
Good planning, and stay tuned for part II next week from two more of our amazing preferred photographers…
