We all know that you have a wide array of wedding photographers to choose from when it comes to your big day. You want a studio that will provide you not only professional service, but also create images that suit your taste and style.  And of course you want to feel that you have made the right decision when it comes to your wedding photographer!

I could write all over this blog post that you should hire Monarch Photography, right?  Well, that would be silly!

The truth is, we are not the right photographers for everyone.  We want there to be a perfect fit.  It is so important because your wedding photographer will be closer to you than any other professional on your big day.

There are a LOT of photographers out there right now so how do you really go about finding the one that’s right for you?  Well, let’s chat about that, shall we?

There are many articles out there that will give you a long list of questions to ask your prospective photographer.  You can find them in wedding planner books, on web sites, through your coordinator, etc.

It is a no-brainer that you want to choose someone who is a true professional–reliable, business-minded, insured, experienced, and responsible.  And you want someone who provides high quality products.

When all is said and done, though, there are really three basic questions that need to be answered before you can decide if a photographer is right for you.

1.  Do you like the images that this particular photographer creates?

2.  Do you like the photographer’s personality?

3.  Does this photographer  fit your budget?

Do you like the images?

This should be obvious. But it’s not really as obvious when you look at it closely.  First of all, you should educate yourself a little about photography in general.  Look at lots of different wedding photographs.  Check out your friends wedding albums.  Search online for photographers websites and go carefully through their online galleries.  Think about what images inspire you and what type of photographs appeal to you.  Can you see yourself in that photographer’s image style?  Are you more attracted to light and airy images or more dramatic, low-key photographs?  And some photographers (like us) can even give you both!

You also need to see if this particular photographer’s style fits your needs.  Do you want strictly candid, photojournalistic work?  Do you tend to gravitate more toward the classic approach?  Or do you want both timeless portraiture and a documentation of those candid moments (like we provide)?  Think about it and choose a studio that is your style!

It’s also important to find out the basic meaning of GOOD photography.  You want images to be properly lit, in focus and well composed.  Professional photographers  go through years of school, read books, and attend professional workshops to get a good handle on their craft.  For your purposes, looking at a lot of different photographers can give you a better feel for what a good image can be.  You want a photograph to have detailed dark areas and detailed light areas.  You don’t want large areas of plain black or white anywhere in the picture because they do not print well.  Obviously you don’t want blurry photos.  You want to look for nice, crisp focus on most of the images in the galleries.  Composition is harder because it is mostly subjective.  If the images make you feel strongly, the composition is probably working for you.

Once you find out what you really like, you can start narrowing down your choices.  And remember to look outside your hometown, too, for the perfect studio to document your day.  Travel charges will apply, but photographers always love traveling for weddings!  Us included!

Do you like the photographers personality?

Photographers are the only wedding vendor, except maybe the videographer, who will be with you for the whole day. And they are with you during your most personal and emotional moments.  It is very important that you choose a person who makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. You should feel confident that they are capable professionals who can perform their jobs with little direction from you or your guests. They should also be people that you really like on a friendly level.  And you should also consider if there is more than one photographer so they can cover your wedding in a more fluid fashion.

The best way to find out if you truly like them is to tell them about yourself.  Let them know how you and your fiancé met. Let them in on your plans, even if you are just in the hoping and dreaming stage.  Many of our clients become friends because we connect on such a deep level.  If a photographer cares about you as a person, they are more likely to want to take extra special care of you throughout the process.

Do they fit your budget?

Now, before you meet you need to be sure that you can afford your favorite photographers. Some photographers list their prices on their websites or will send you pricing information as requested. It is probably a good idea to know at least what range of prices and packages the photographer offers before you meet with them so that there are no unpleasant surprises. You can go over the specifics at the meeting, but going in with some idea is always a good plan.

Make sure you understand exactly what is included in the price.  Is there an album?  How big is the album and what kind of options are available and do they cost extra?  Do the digital files come with the collection?  Are they available at all?  Is that important to you?  Just know what it is you want to get out of your wedding photography and make sure that it is part of the deal.  If you are someone who wants a large canvas print to display over your fireplace mantle but you really don’t care for an album, make sure you hire someone who either has those products in a collection or will allow you to add those to your package.  And be sure to find someone who keeps up with the trends, but provides you with images and products that will be a timeless documentation of the most important day of your lives!

OK, now you know the 3 most important things about finding a wedding photographer.  Ask your prospective wedding photographers specific questions that you want to know.  Any photographer worth your money is going to welcome you asking questions.  It gives them the chance to show you what they know and how together they are when it comes to providing you with professional and creative photographic memories.

Now, get out there and choose the perfect photographer for YOU!  And if that’s Monarch, call us today at 502.641.0744!