wedding wednesday # 22: choosing a photographer

one of the biggest decisions when planning our wedding was choosing our photographer.  the dress will become outdated, the cake will get eaten, the invitations will get thrown away, but the pictures will be there forever.  {yeah, you're nervous now too, huh.} 

but, brides be calmed, i have tips! 

1.  do your research.  if you're engaged, chances are you have friends/acquaintances/facebook friends that have gotten married in the last year or two or three.  check out their wedding pictures.  {thank you, fb, for making that task super easy.} 

take note of the ones you like.  check out their websites.  contact them to see if you can get more information - pricing options, number of photographers, number of hours available, if they travel, if your date is available, etc.

2. male or female?  just like you & your fiance, males & females see some things differently.  & i truly believe one of those things is photograph opportunities.  during your research, you'll see what i'm talking about.  & this is a super easy way to narrow down the field.

3. price is important.  as i said, i thought the photographer was one of the biggest decisions in wedding planning.  i was ready to spend a huge chunk of change on a fabulous photographer. 

but guess what, not everything falls into the "more expensive = better" category.  if a photographer would cost half of your budget, you can do more with that money.  truly.  there are phenomenal photographers out there in a ridiculous range of prices.

4. photo shoot or behind the scenes?  in addition to male vs female, another big distinction between photographers is whether they are super hands on, asking you to pose, & working to get the exact shot OR whether they are more editorial, capturing the moments that happen, & staying out of your way. 

also like male vs female, there is no "right way".  blakey & i, for instance, are super awkward in front of a camera.  so we wanted the behind the scenes type.  only capture the moments that really happened.  & please do not interrupt me on MY day :)

others love the photo shoot.  it is THEIR day & they want to be in the spotlight.  & they want the exact shots they want.  these type of photographers capture that awesomely. 

5. get referrals.  seriously.  talk to people you know that used the photographer.  was he/she professional?  easy to get a hold of/work with?  did you enjoy spending your entire wedding day with this person?  seriously.

fabulous news: my step sister & her now fiance got engaged this weekend!!  we are super happy for both of them.  & i am excited to have another family wedding this year :)

{lindsey & tony - the happy couple!}

love love,

kjp.