“Find the perfect lens to capture your beautiful love story.”
Your big day keeps countless memories that demand to be captured with their true essence and it is impossible without the right wedding photographer.
But how to choose that right person for your wedding day!
Choosing between so many styles and possibilities might be difficult. Here, it is important to remember that wedding photography is about capturing the excitement and emotions of one of your most significant days, not just shooting images.
Step 1: Determine Your Preferred Style
Every love story is unique and so as their wedding photos should be too. It is a must to discover the style that beautifully captures the essence of your special day. While choosing a wedding photographer, you must have to start by identifying the style you prefer. Broadly, wedding photography is divided into two major styles:
Make and Take.
· Make Photographer:
Ansel Adams the famous photographer said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” A make photographer orchestrates your events and people there to create stunning images. They mainly focus on directing poses and settings during the wedding day.
· Take Photographer:
Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still and a take documentary wedding photographer in Atlanta blends into the background and documents moments as they unfold. It means that these photographers focus on capturing the natural essence of people and events.
Can you compare both styles?
The art of wedding photography lies in its ability to freeze time and immortalize an unforgettable moment. Both styles have their own beauty and elegance. “Make photographers master orchestration to create captivating pictures and ” may stage “fandids” or phony candids. The “take photographers,” are usually photojournalists or documentary photographers. They capture spontaneous emotional moments with outstanding compositions and timing.
You are not restricted to choose one style exclusively but, many photographers blend both approaches. It is your choice either you prefer someone who directs the scene or someone who captures it naturally. Check to review portfolios and album designs of different photographers to understand their passion and styles.
Snapshot Savvy: You can ask how much time they allocate for posed photos. A “make photographer” might suggest 1.5-2 hours, while a “take photographer” might recommend 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 2: Evaluate a Photographer’s Talent
When reviewing a photographer’s portfolio, consider these elements:
· Storytelling:
Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving, and wedding photographs should tell a story, summing up the whole event. From the preparatory photographs to the portraits and everything in between it is good to pick albums that capture every moment of a wedding day.
· Surprise and Delight:
The personal taste of every couple defines what surprises and delights them. Photography is an art of observation and it’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. So, try to look for images that catch your eye and make you look twice.
· Emotion:
Choose photos that evoke strong feelings, capturing genuine smiles, laughter, tears, or special looks. A great wedding photo is not just a beautiful image but, it’s a vessel of emotions, carrying the joy, giggles, romance, love, and even the tears and fun of that special day.
· Variety:
In wedding photography, variety ensures that every moment, from the grand to the intimate, is beautifully captured. You have to ask for a collection of images that aren’t monotonous, seek diversity in compositions, angles, and techniques.
· Consistency:
A competent photographer can consistently produce high-quality, emotionally resonant images. Request your photographer to show you complete galleries or albums from multiple weddings they captured before.
Step 3: Consider Personality
The photographer’s personality also matters as a couple has to spend a significant part of their wedding day with them, so couples must feel comfortable and at ease with their photographer.
Ask yourself following questions before hiring a wedding photographer:
- Do I like this photographer?
- Do I feel comfortable with them?
- Will they be a calming presence?
- Do I trust them to document my wedding day?
- Will my family and friends feel comfortable?
The bond you have with your photographer may greatly impact your wedding day. No matter how talented and successful a photographer is or how much you admire them, just move on if you don’t feel connected with them. You have to rely on instinct.
Step 4: Understand Pricing
Professional wedding photography can be costly, even much expensive one. Professional wedding photographers typically charge between $2000 and $8000. In Georgia, the average cost for 8 hours of coverage by an experienced photographer is around $4000. The investment in wedding photography is an investment in preserving memories, so it is acceptable to pay for everlasting happiness associated with your wedding day memories.
Usually, we correlate higher prices with more coverage, superior service, and higher-quality photographs. It is quite tough to compare wedding photographers, as each offers different styles, and unique packages.
Snapshot Savvy: Find a photographer you adore, who fits your personality, and who makes high-quality albums and prints if price isn’t an issue. Choose beautiful photographs over stuff if you’re on a budget. Later, you may buy albums or prints.
Tips for Choosing Your Photographer Together:
· Choose a Lead:
Give the initiative to the individual who is more aware or concerned about photography if there is one.
· Let the Lead Set Appointment:
The lead has to set all appointments to avoid confusion.
· Attend Appointments Together:
If possible, attend all appointments together to form a unified opinion.
· Discuss the Final Choice:
Try to reach a consensus, but give the lead the authority to make the decision if it becomes essential. The partner should have the ability to act as a veto if they are unhappy with the photographer.
· Book and Celebrate:
Once you’ve made your choice, book your photographer and celebrate ticking off an important item from your to-do list.
According to Destin Spark, “Photography is the story I fail to put into words.” Wedding photography immortalizes ephemeral joyous moments and finding a wedding photographer that captures your big day wonderfully can create lifelong memories.