The photographer makes your wedding day. At least it is the person that influences what you and your guests will remember from the best day of your lives. In 5 years’ time, in 10 and in 50.
Choosing the photographer and videographer is not always an easy task. Here are some things to think about in order to find the perfect match.
Identify your needs
What would you like the photographer to cover? A full day quote normally starts from the bride’s and bridal train’s preparations (and includes the groom’s preps if he is nearby) and finishes a bit after the first dance and the party begins. A half-day quote starts with the ceremony and may end when all guests are seated at the banquet tables. But there is a wide range of hours that can be contracted.
Do you need two photographers? If you have 100 guests or more it is recommended to have two photographers to be able to cover your guests and different angles.
Do you want to hire a videographer? If you know that you want both photographer and videographer it might be a good idea to choose a photographer that offers a videographer and hire them together. Why? Because it means that they usually work together and that they are good co-players. Which in turn is shown in your pictures. You will have fewer cameramen invading your frames. 🙂
Connect with the style of the photographer
You need to feel that you connect with the style of the photographer, not only with the price. These are the pictures that you will keep for life and that will make you live your wedding over and over again.
Sit down and have a think: Do you want a more documentary style? More romantic? Posed? Moments, fly on the wall Style? Movement, colours, Black /White ?
Do you connect with their approach (framing and sensitiveness)? Do you like their retouching style?
Look at their web pages or presentations several times (with a day in between if you have time) and you will feel it when you find YOUR photographer.
What do you expect them to deliver?
Are you a retouch pro? Then maybe you would choose a photographer that delivers all RAW material and not that many retouched pictures?If not, take a careful look at the amount of retouched pictures they deliver and if they charge extra for more retouched pictures etc.
Do you want an album as a present to your parents?
Most photographers include digital photos in the price they offer, but many of them also offer albums and high-quality prints to an additional cost. Apart from big prints on your own wall at home, you might want souvenirs for the guests or gifts for your family? Maybe you want to make Thank you cards or Christmas cards?
Pre-wedding session?
Are you coming out for a venue visit or tasting session before your wedding? Then you can combine it with a pre-wedding photo session and use the photos for the invites or website? Or are you arriving a few days prior to the wedding? Take the opportunity to take some pictures in different surroundings (urban, park, beach). Do you want posed pics in the sunset? Then a pre-wedding session is ideal for you. It is also a perfect opportunity for the photographer to “read you” (personality, colour scheme, skin reflections) and for you to get more relaxed in front of the camera.
Post Wedding Session? Would you dare to do a “Trash the dress” session after the wedding? Do you want the photographer to document the brunch on the day after?
“Our” photographers
We are working with a range of photographers that we have kept on our list after years of different experiences. They are real professionals and also lovely people to work with. We recommend them because we know that they deliver high-quality work and we can guarantee that they will reflect your day and your emotions in their gorgeous pictures. We are happy to assist with your choice and match-make. In this process we take into consideration first of all your personalities but also the type of wedding and budget.