Weddings are a celebration of love, new beginnings, and unity; a celebration of two people, and two families, becoming one. Couples and their families want to remember their special day for years to come and be able to share those memories with future generations. The best way to preserve such special memories is to hire a wedding photographer or videographer to create a wedding album, but it can be difficult to find the right person for the job.
The “right” wedding videographer will be different for everyone – different couples will have different budgets, different venues, different personalities, and different expectations. It can be challenging, and even stressful, trying to find a photographer or videographer who understands what the couple is looking for and has the skills to deliver it, all while staying within the budget. If you’re struggling to find the right person to capture your wedding memories, don’t stress! Check out these tips to help make your wedding photography experience as pleasant as possible.
Decide What You Are Looking for
The very first thing you need to do is decide – as a couple – on exactly what you a looking for. Come together and lay out what you want your wedding album to look like and do some research.
Look at the different styles, lighting, shots, and venues, and come up with a list of what you both like. Do you want photos and videos? Do you prefer candid or staged shots, or do you want both? Will you be taking the pictures indoors, or outside? Once you arrive at a shared vision, it will be much easier to find a photographer who will be able to give you what you are looking for.
One of the best things you can do is to create a checklist with everything you want and use it when you talk to potential candidates. The right photographer or videographer will understand your vision and be able to show you samples of their work that meet your criteria. If they are not able to do something that you are looking for, they will be able to suggest a comparable alternative.
Look at Their Work
All wedding photographers will have plenty of samples of their work on hand – you need only ask! Many will just show you some of their best shots or videos, but if you already have an idea of the style or themes that you are after, you can ask to see specific examples.
Don’t Underestimate the Value of Experience
It’s easy to slip into the mindset of thinking “anyone can point a camera and press a button, it’s not that hard!”, but it is important to realize that wedding photography is much, much more than just pointing and shooting. A large part of what you’re paying for is the editing that the photographer or videographer must do after the wedding – and that’s where experience is crucial.
Photo and video editing are truly art forms. Video editing, in particular, can be very challenging and time-consuming. Experience is key. Don’t be afraid to talk to potential photographers about their experience and ask to see samples or reviews of their previous work.
A good photographer or videographer will probably cost a few thousand dollars, so be prepared. Just remember that although they may only be at the wedding for a few hours, they have days of editing work ahead of them.
Stay Flexible!
While it is good to have an idea of what you want and keep it in mind as you move through the wedding planning process, it is also important to remember to stay flexible. Unless you are an expert photographer or videographer, you might unwittingly ask for something that is just not possible to deliver.
After you explain your vision to potential photographers, be receptive to their feedback on the plausibility of what you are asking and be open to considering alternatives.