Choosing a Wedding Photographer: Tips and Questions to Ask

Finding the right photographer for your wedding may be just as important, if not more important, than finding the right dress! Plus, they have some things in common. Just like a wedding dress, you need to find the right fit in a photographer, they need to be within your budget, and you need to see them in person!

Here’s what to look out for when choosing a wedding photographer

These are valuable tips we’ve gained from both brides and photographers that will help you navigate this important decision.

1. Set a Budget. No matter how big or small, determining a photography budget ahead of time is key. This will allow you to narrow down your options to really focus in on a photographer who aligns with your financial plan.

2. Meet in Person (or Virtually). Connecting with your potential wedding photographer is essential. We can’t emphasize this enough! Of course, meeting in person will give you an opportunity to discuss your vision and ask questions. But most importantly it will ensure you have good chemistry. Having a strong rapport with your photographer will result in more relaxed and authentic photos. 

3. Review Full Galleries. Don’t just rely on a photographer’s portfolio highlights. When you meet, request to see complete wedding galleries from past clients. If they have a blog, look through it for other kinds of sessions beyond weddings. This will give you a comprehensive view of their work to asses their consistency and storytelling abilities.

4. Verify Experience. Ask about the photographer’s experience shooting weddings at your chosen venue. Be sure to ask: How familiar are they with the location? Do they have a gallery from that specific location? If they haven’t been to the venue, this isn’t a reason for alarm though. A seasoned photographer will know how to capture the best moments and handle various lighting and location challenges. But it’s helpful to gauge their experience beforehand.

5. Discuss Packages. You’ll probably know general package information going into your sit-down meeting, but make sure that you have a detailed conversation about their photography packages. In your conversation, be sure to ask: What is included? What kind of digital files—edited, high quality, low resolution? Is “all day” a certain number of hours? Multiple photographers? Options for albums or prints?

6. Be Transparent. Don’t hesitate to communicate specific preferences with your photographer. Talk about the different shots or unique moments you want to be captured. This allows your photographer to dialogue with you about the day and builds trust. Plus this ensures there isn’t anything unexpected at the last minute.

7. Trust Your Instincts. You can feel how comfortable a person makes you feel and how a photographer’s work resonates with you. Trust that. Your photographer will be a significant presence on your wedding day so feeling at ease with them is crucial for capturing those genuine moments. You don’t want it to feel forced or get annoyed! Even if you love the work you see but don’t vibe well with the photographer, choose to find another one.

We want your love story to be captured beautifully and hope that these tips will help you in your quest to find the perfect wedding photographer!

Some of the photographers who have been to Cider Mountain are featured on our preferred vendor's page. Be sure to check them out if you haven’t found your perfect photographer yet.