How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Picking the “perfect” wedding photographer is difficult.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]

When Brighton and I first got engaged, the first thing I started looking at was wedding photos. I was looking for ideas, venues, different states, wedding colors, decor, how to “propose” to my bridesmaids— the entire event.

Subconsciously, I was evaluating what type of wedding photography I’d like to have for my own wedding.

The only information I knew at this point was that I wanted an awesome photographer for our wedding. I was willing to splurge, while cutting costs in other areas, in order to get great shots on my wedding day. Photos are my thing, my souvenirs, whenever I go somewhere or attend/host an event. Our wedding would be no different, and I did not want to be worried about leaving these important shots to someone else without thoroughly researching first.

Since photography is an art, there is a lot of room for creative direction. It seemed like some wedding photographers were going for a dramatic feel while others were going for a natural lighting.

I discovered that they classify their work into different categories.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-camera” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]First, choose which style of photography you are going for for your wedding photos.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]There are generally three-types of wedding photography styles. I’ve seen many photographers develop a style that is their own mix of their strengths and interests.

Classic/Traditional

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This style may remind you of reviewing past-generations wedding day photos. Generally, there are many posed shots, group shots, and intervention by the photographer in order to orchestrate a great shot. The benefit of this type of photography is that you will be getting many shots that will be perfectly posed and composed, however; you may be missing out on many candid shots while the photographer is busy putting together the shots.

 

Modern/Contemporary/Creative

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This is a popular type of wedding photography in the recent generation. Photographers will pose and set up shots, but they will also try to capture candid moments throughout the event as well. Generally, they will attempt unique angles, perspectives, and strong lighting effects.  This type of photography is great for couples who are willing to work with the photographer in order to capture a unique shot, and can be very fun with the right fit of photographer and couple.

Photojournalistic/Documentary

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(When I Googled examples of this, a majority of these images were Black & White. Interesting.)

This style captures your wedding day in an unobtrusive way, letting the photographer tell the story of your wedding day through photos. Typically, this style focuses on candid moments, the details, and capturing the event as it happens (rather than with poses and plans). This is a good style to also capture the genuine emotions spontaneously. The shots are unique and somewhat contemporary, depending on the photographer.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-camera” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Finding a happy medium between the different photography styles.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]

Like I mentioned previously, some wedding photographers will use different styles depending on the portion of the event.

For instance, here is an example of using different styles throughout the event:

• Getting ready: Documentary style shooting, with some rearrangements of details.
• First Look: Heavily planned. Find the perfect location, let everyone know where the photographers expect them to be, and once the scene is set, ask the groom to turn around and let the rest unfold naturally.
• Ceremony: Documentary style, photographers stay out of the way, quickly darting in and out of the aisle to get the shots they need with a long lens so they’re not disturbing the guests or the officiant.
• Formals: They’lltransition into the classic style briefly to get the photos the parents and grandparents want.
• Creatives: Take the bride & groom and the rest of the wedding party away somewhere fun for some modern & editorial photos that will blow everyone away.
• Reception: Back to documentary, let everyone relax and they’ve mostly forgotten that the photographers exist. They try to capture those beautiful little moments during the evening that are largely unnoticed by everyone else.

(This example was modified from this source)

Based on my research for a photographer back in February, I would say that many photographers take from the different styles to make it their own.

This example highlighted above is pretty much the idea that I am imagining for our wedding.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”double|dotted” top_margin=”” bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”#1e73be” border_size=”” icon=”fa-camera” icon_circle=”yes” icon_circle_color=”#81d742″ width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Research your options and then find who feels right for you and your partner.[/fusion_title][fusion_text]For us, choosing the wedding photographer style and the photographer was all one process mushed into one. I searched many St. Pete/Tampa wedding photographers, contacted about 15-20 people for quotes, and went from there.

The loose process I went with was:

1. Check out their website– Did it look professional? If they had prices listed, were they within my budget?
2. Look at their portfolio online– Do I like their style of photos? Does it seem like they can do a variety of photos? Is it updated? Do they have a Facebook page I could see recent work?
3. Email them for a quote and find out their availability– Obviously, again if they were way past my price point, I said no. If they weren’t available, they were not an option.

I ended up putting together a list of about 7 photographers that I liked their style, they were available, and their pricing was about what I was willing to pay.

After this initial searching process, I showed Brighton the options and I asked a couple different photographers to work with my budget and see what they would include for what cost.

The last step in my process was to call and discuss the payment process and booking them…

We chose Contemporary Captures Photography by Melissa Korta. I am very excited to work with her!

I liked her vibrant colors, modern take on wedding photography, with the ability to also shoot the timeless classic shots. I also liked her use of light for a dramatic effect. They way she described it in my initial email to her, her style is:

I use a mixture of natural light and artificial light and my style mixes bold, dynamic composition with traditional photojournalism. My goal is to create those wow photos that are truly unique to every wedding but also catch all the moments and emotions that usually make me cry a tad as I edit them.

While I would've liked to have in-person consultations, that was simply not an option for me planning my wedding long-distance. We will have an engagement shoot with our wedding photographer next Sunday, on December 20th. I am looking forward to working with Melissa and us getting comfortable with her and vice versa.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]