Finding the best wedding photographer can be overwhelming and tiresome, but it doesn’t have to be if you start looking for the right things. First, I suggest you start by reading this post about how to choose a wedding photographer. The key to finding the best wedding photographer from these will be to find a photographer with the style, experience and personality you love while being able to be somewhat within your budget. Now to filter out all the photographers that are not the best wedding photographer for your wedding. This process will likely happen in your email conversations or in person interview.
You’ve found a photographer with a style you love, but how do you really gage experience when you aren’t a wedding photographer? Well here are a few questions you can ask that will help you have a better understanding.
1.How many weddings do you shoot per year and how many years have you been the main wedding photographer?
- Many photographers have been photographing for a long time, but not as the main photographer, or even as a wedding photographer. Weddings are such a different world than other types of photography, and to ensure you get the best wedding photographer you want someone with the most experience in wedding photography.
- These ranges of how many weddings per year may help you better understand a photographers experience level.
- 1-2 years of experience probably still learning a lot, 3-5 years probably know a lot and can handle a lot, 5+ years know the ins and outs of wedding photography like the back of their hand.
- Photographing 1-6 weddings a year probably means they do this part time and are still learning, 7-12 weddings could mean they take only a limited amount of weddings per year or are a new business, 12+ weddings a year probably means they are a full time wedding photographer.
- Keep in mind quantity doesn’t always equal quality. Some amazing photographers out there may have 3 years under their belt and only shoot 8 weddings a year because their family is their first priority. Don’t be afraid to ask why they shoot that amount of weddings per year if you feel like it isn’t enough for the experience you want.
2. What is your experience in working with indoor, evening, or church weddings?
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- I feel like this is such a huge question you must ask every wedding photographer. The best wedding photographers will tell you they have a lot of experience with these types of weddings and can handle them well.
- Amateur “professional” photographers will not have much experience in this area and may not post any photos of these on their website or blog because the quality of these photo are poor. The reason: they don’t know how to hand difficult lighting situations and are inexperienced in this area.
- Keep in mind, if you are having a day time wedding, where you will have everything outside a photographer with no knowledge of how to handle low-lighting may work wonderfully for you. But, if you are having an indoor reception, church wedding or an evening wedding you will want a wedding photographer to have sufficient experience with low-lighting.
Honestly, those two questions will answer a lot for you and help you gage the experience of many wedding photographers. Any more information about them may be information overload for you, unless you want to know more, ask away! 😉
Next, finding the best wedding photographer is finding someone with a personality you click with. I know this may seem a bit odd, but trust me its worth it. I am not saying you should want to be BFFs with your wedding photographer, but it sure doesn’t hurt!
- Having a wedding photographer that understands you easily will help them better photograph you completely.
- Getting along well with your wedding photographer will help you feel relaxed when you end up rushed for photos and need to look “natural” but all you can think about is how late you are for the reception and how hungry your guests are.
And that’s it to find the best wedding photographer! Good luck bride and grooms! I am positive there is someone out there just for you. 🙂
