As the famous saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” It is not just a piece of paper. It is an emotion, a moment, and a memory that no words can ever describe. You cannot bring back the moment, but by looking at a great picture, you can relieve the memories for as long as you live. It is the primary reason why couples need to choose the best photographer on their wedding day. A wedding is a once in a lifetime event, something that only those who found true love can experience. Hence, you would want to make sure that on your big day, unforgettable memories will be captured beautifully. You need to make sure that every single important detail will be captured magnificently. It can only be achieved with the help of a professional wedding photographer. There are many wedding photographers to choose from. To narrow down your choice, you need to consider the following:
Check the portfolio –
Professional photographers have an outstanding portfolio. It serves as their marketing weapon. If you are looking for a photographer online, you can easily check the portfolio by visiting the photographer’s official website. Aside from online portfolio, there is also hardbound portfolio, which will enable you to see the photos real-life.
Check the photographer’s personality –
The photographer’s personality says a lot about his work ethic. You surely don’t want to hire the service of a photographer whom you are not comfortable working with. You can easily gauge a photographer’s personality by observing the way he talks, moves, and converse. Is the photographer attentive to your instructions? Is he late during the meeting? It’s more of a gut feel and trusting your instinct.
Professionalism –
Many photographers claim that they are pros in what they do, but only the real pros were able to stand by their claim. When it comes to a wedding, there are many angles that need to be covered to achieve the best photos. Just because a person is holding a professional camera does not necessarily mean that he is a pro. Professional photographers know that it takes more than just a beautiful camera to capture outstanding photos. It requires skills and experience. A professional photographer should have all the necessary tools and equipment. He should also look decent in every photo shoot.
Check the pricing –
No matter how huge your budget is for your wedding, you would want to make sure that every single cent is allocated properly. When it comes to the pricing for a photographer, every photographer has his own set of pricing depending on the type of photography coverage you want on your wedding day. Many photographers have a package pricing, which will enable you to save money. They will not just take photos on your big day, but they will also include the pre-nuptial shot. By checking the price beforehand, you will be able to get your money’s worth. To somehow give you an idea as to how much you will pay for a photography service, you need to know the four basic photography categories. They are the following:
Budget – Under $1000
Moderate – $1,000 to $3,000
Upscale – $3,000 to $5,000
Luxury – more than $5,000
Post production –
It pertains to the final touches used by professional photographers to make sure that the photos are of excellent condition. This separates professional photographers from amateur ones. Usually, it would take a few weeks for the photographer to do final touches, and he wants to make sure that everything is perfect. When choosing a photographer on your big day, you have to make sure you ask him all the necessary questions about post-production.
Check the credibility of the photographer –
Many photographers will tell you that they can get the job done with flying colors but are they really trusted and reputable enough? Can they really make your vision of a wedding photography come true? To make sure you are dealing with a highly reputable photographer, you have to read reviews. Many photographers have their own website and from there, you will be able to find out what other people are saying about the photographer’s service. You will be able to know if the previous customers are satisfied. If there are complaints, you have to know how the photographer handled the complaints.
Contact of reference –
Sometimes, reviews on the photographer’s website are biased. Should you wish to find unbiased reviews, then you can ask the photographer for contact of reference. These are the list of previous clients, and you can ask at least three contact of reference. You can talk to them by phone or better yet meet them in person. That way, you will be able to know if they are really telling you the truth or not.
Ask recommendations –
Do you know someone who has tried hiring a wedding photographer? If yes, then you have to ask for recommendations. Ask how his experience had been and whether he can recommend his wedding photographer to you. Your friends and relatives can surely recommend someone who is competent enough to get the job done.
Choosing a photographer on your wedding day is something that you should not take for granted. There are many photographers to choose from and the possibility of choosing the wrong one is high, especially if you are not going to do a diligent research. When it comes to choosing the best photographer for your wedding, you have to take into considerations the factors mentioned above. A wedding is something precious that only comes once. Hence, you need to make sure that every single detail is captured professionally. You surely don’t want to have regrets when the time comes that you look at your wedding photos and you are not satisfied because you happened to hire an incompetent photographer. The best photographer does not only capture images. They capture emotions. When you look back at your wedding photos years from now, you will be able to look back with a smile and tear of joy because you get to relive the moment one more time.
