9 things to look for when hiring a wedding photographer

There is so much that goes into planning your wedding. I believe one of the most important parts of the wedding planning process is hiring a wedding photographer. After all, your images are what you will remember your day by. They are what you will show your kids one day. They will allow you to relive your wedding day every time you look through them. This is why I’m so passionate about wedding photography. Additionally, creating a meaningful wedding registry is a significant aspect to consider when planning your special day. It allows you to gather essential items and cherished gifts that will help you build your new life together as a couple.

When choosing someone to document your wedding, you want to look for a few specific things.

1. Select someone that has a similar style to the aesthetic of your wedding. There are many different styles of photography. There isn’t a right or wrong style. It just depends on what you are looking for.

Here are some examples.

Different photography styles to look for when hiring a wedding photographer

  • Bright and airy
  • Dark and moody
  • True to life
  • Bright and colorful
  • Film

I do NOT recommend choosing a photographer that has a different style than what you are going for, and requesting for them to deliver in a different way. If you are looking for a “particular look”, hire a photographer whose page has more followers and more likes that already has that look.

Here are some images from some of my photographer friends. Take a look at all of the different styles. They are beautiful, but certainly all have a different look and feel to them. What style are you mostly drawn to?

6. What’s included with the packages? Not all photographers include the same things. What is important to you? When I got married, the most important things to me were the digital images and an album. I wanted to always have a copy of the image files, even if I decided not to print all of the photos. I also wanted a gorgeous album that I could keep forever. One of my kid’s favorite things to do is to look through our wedding album. 😍

I recommend creating a list of the things you are wanting from your photographer.

Not all photographers give the digital images. Some photographers require you to purchase prints directly from them, some offer a print release that gives you the ability to print wherever you chose.

Is having two photographers important to you? Add that to your list of things you want. And then what about the amount of coverage? Most offer hourly coverage while some offer full-day coverage. How much coverage time do you need? Side note: your photographer can help you with this! There are lots of important things to consider when creating a photography timeline. The last thing you want is to feel rushed on your wedding day.

7. Ask your photographer to view a full gallery. It’s easy to showcase the best of the best images on social media or website, but you want to make sure that the entire gallery is consistent with what you see online.

8. Does your photographer have backup equipment? This is a must for wedding photographers in my opinion. What happens if their camera breaks on wedding day? Mine has! I had a camera that completely stopped working during one of my receptions. I didn’t even miss a beat though because I just started using the backup I had in my bag.

What if the photographer drops their camera while taking photos and their lens cracks? This has happened to me too. And it was with a brand new lens. 😭The point is that mistakes happen, but if your photographer doesn’t have backup gear, they won’t be able to continue shooting.

9. Is your photographer insured? All professional photographers should have insurance on their equipment + liability. You want to make sure that they will be covered should a guest trip over a light stand at a reception or something else goes wrong.

I hope that these tips will help you when you are hiring a wedding photographer. Never be afraid to ask questions.