Much of your wedding day happens in rooms and places other than the same one you're standing in. That's why choosing a wedding photography team is one of the most important decisions you'll make. They hold in their cameras the ability and the know-how to capture all of these beautiful moments. Here are a few tips on how to pick the best wedding photographer for you:
Professional photographers typically book their calendars 1 - 2 years in advance. Once you have a date and your venue booked, start your research. Give yourself time to compile a list of photographers that match your style and budget.
Do you like emotive, candid, romantic photos? How about bright and airy? Look at samples of wedding photos on Instagram, Google, and blogs to gain a vision of what you want your photos to feel like. Narrow in on what you love, and then tailor your search to photographers that have a similar shooting style and editing process.
Photography is a very personal decision. These professionals will be included in some of the most intimate moments of your wedding day (first looks, bride and groom portraits, etc.) You want to know you and your fiance can gel with the photographer's personalities. If they don't offer to meet, that's your first sign they may not be the ones for you. A seasoned professional knows that consultations are crucial.
It's true, you get what you pay for. The best deal on a wedding photography package may not always guarantee the best outcome. Photography is not an area of your wedding budget that you'll want to hold back on. Ask about base pricing, hourly pricing, even possible discounts if you bundle services. Don't pay for something you don't need, and be bold. Professionals appreciate it and will respond well.
Does your package include a free engagement session? Prints? Print credit? Ask questions, and more importantly - don't be afraid to ask if a package can be customized for your needs. How many hours of coverage does the package include? How many shooters? Ask any and all questions, don't assume.
This is one of the biggest days of your life, it deserves two full-time shooters. If your photographer of choice is a single shooter, can a second shooter be added to your package? And, will you be able to meet them prior to the wedding? Sometimes a second shooter is an additional add on, so ask! How seasoned are each of the photographers, are they posing experts, and do their styles match yours? Are they a doing this as a hobby, trainee, or a career-photographer?
Yep, ask to see the goods! It's perfectly acceptable to want to see a full gallery of a wedding your photographer of choice has shot. This will help clue you in to the following: consistency of editing, number of images, overall quality of images, various angles, capturing the "big" moments, artistic eye, and posing guidance. If they are reluctant to share a full gallery, this may not be a good sign. Like any of us, photographers post and display their best work on social media. Ask to see the rest!
What's in their camera bag? Are they Nikon or Canon shooters? What type of lenses do they have and how many? It can feel a bit like going to the mechanic, we realize that. It can feel like learning a foreign language. Here's a little advice! Wedding lenses that are a must: 24/70 mm, 50 mm, and a 70/200 mm. These are the "classic" wedding lenses that most seasoned professionals will have. Ask about off-camera flashes. Doing a sparkler send-off? Reception indoors? Ask if they are prepared to shoot inside. How do they plan to capture the send-off when it's dark outside? They should and will have a game plan.
Proposals and contracts protect you and the professional equally. Deposits should be required along with a signed contract to secure your date. This ensures that they cannot cancel you for a "better" wedding. Contracts also detail items such as photo delivery turnaround, cancelation policies, and payment plans. Ask to see a sample contract beforehand if you're unsure and want the details first.
Once you've secured your photography team, schedule a venue tour with your coordinator. Getting your team all on the same page helps the flow of the wedding day go smoothly. Consider things such as: lighting and background. But remember- of the two lighting is most important. Plan your wedding timeline around the sun. Ask your photographer to chime in when planning things such as ceremony time. They will be glad you asked. Natural light photographers know how the sun and shadows work, so rely on their input when crafting your timeline.
The confidence and trust you place in your photography team will pay off in the long run. You deserve the absolute best photos on the absolute best day of your life. They will be your legacy, generations to come will view them and remember your love. Make this decision with your heart and your head.
Much Love,
Garry & Stacy
“It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.”
— Alfred Eisenstaedt
Kind words we've received:
"The absolute best!!! They will take whatever vision you had and will make it 1000 times better! They are so easy to work with and their love for photography really shows. Thank you both for my amazing photos! Can’t wait to work with y’all again" - Jessica
"Garry & Stacy helped us feel at ease and comfortable. Even before our wedding day, they were there every step of the way to help us feel at ease as the nerves started to form. Everything was incredibly natural and the shots they were able to capture will be treasured for a lifetime. I have never worked with a photographer before who made it their mission to tell a story. They weren’t trying to get things done as quickly as possible (even despite the high heat and humidity!), they took time and care and showed grace with us as we were navigating this new feeling of being the center of attention." - Brittany
"I can tell you that start to finish, the day of your wedding you will be so thankful that you invited them! They bring the appropriate energy to your event. They don't miss a thing! They arrive in plenty of time, and do not leave until "the last grain of rice" hits the pavement." - Crystal
"I was Maid of Honor for my best friend this past weekend and Garry & Stacy were the best wedding photographers I have ever experienced! Look no further for someone to capture the special moments in your lives!!" - Kristen
"Best in the business! I am so blessed to have these two apart of my big day, and to have the beautiful images they captured to relive it. They are so talented and compassionate and know exactly what you want, even better than I did! I highly recommend letting these two work their magic on any moment you want to hold on to forever! You won’t regret it"
- Taylor
Even before our wedding day, they were there every step of the way to help us feel at ease as the nerves started to form. Everything was incredibly natural and the shots they were able to capture will be treasured for a lifetime. They were definitely a special gift to us. I have never worked with a photographer before who made it their mission to tell a story.
Incredibly talented photography duo!!! If I could give them 10 stars, I would! So attentive and professional. Four keen and artistic eyes and all the technical skills in one package. I hired them for engagement shots in Florida and am flying them to NY for our wedding in September. I would never hire anyone else to capture my most special moments!
Incredibly talented photography duo!!! If I could give them more than 5 stars, I would! So attentive and professional. Four keen and artistic eyes and all the technical skills in one package. I hired them for engagement shots in Florida and am flying them to NY for our wedding. I would never hire anyone else to capture my most special moments!Talented photography duo!
Even before our wedding day, they were there every step of the way to help us feel at ease as the nerves started to form. Everything was incredibly natural and the shots they were able to capture will be treasured for a lifetime. They were definitely a special gift to us. I have never worked with a photographer before who made it their mission to tell a story. They weren’t trying to get things done as quickly as possible. They took time and care in every moment.