2Brides

Wedding planning can be an exciting & somewhat stressful whirlwind event. There are more decisions to make than you could even imagine, and it can be confusing how to navigate. At times the pressure can feel overwhelming. My top six tips when choosing a wedding photographer in 2020.

One thing I never want you to be confused by is your choice in a wedding photographer. I take this very seriously and love helping my couples navigate this decision. After your wedding day is over, not much will remain from it other than your photos. You’ll be looking at those very photos as a reminder of your wedding for the rest of your life. It is a huge decision! 

To help you navigate this decision, I wanted to give you my top tips for choosing your wedding photographer! Hopefully, this will make the process easy for you! 

1. Do They Fit in Your Budget? 

The first thing you need to decide on is your budget for photography. Most wedding planners recommend you set aside a full 12-15% of your overall wedding budget for this. From there, you can contact photographers confidently, knowing you can afford them. 

2. What’s Your Style?

Light & bright? Dark & moody? Ethereal & editorial? There are so many different styles in the photography world. I suggest going online to somewhere like Instagram and see what look you like for your photos. As you look at photos, think about which style suits your tastes the best and take notes of what you liked about that style. That will help you narrow down your options, so you don’t get overwhelmed. Make sure to visit the websites of the wedding photographers you like. Make sure their vision & style match yours.

3. Film or Digital?

You may not even know the difference between film and digital when you start looking for a photographer. There is a big difference though in the look & feel between the two. Some people are 100% film or 100% digital shooters, and some people, like me, fall somewhere in the middle (although I lean much more towards film). As you’re researching the style you like, make sure to research film vs. digital photos. See which one you like better and look into which will serve you best. 

4. Look At Full Wedding Galleries

Every photographer will be sure to highlight their best images on their website. That will give you a great idea of their style & work but may not dig deep enough. Ask to see a few full galleries so you can understand how they handle every part of the wedding day. Is the wedding photographer proficient in handling all sorts of light situations? Can he or she do a beautiful job with flash if needed? Of course, remember that reception photos or a dark indoor ceremony will not turn out the same as well-lit sunset photos! 

5. Do You Like Them?

Once you have contacted photographers & set up a meeting, you have another big decision. Do you like them in person? Think about it; your wedding photographer will be with you all day long, probably more than your spouse. That is a lot of time to spend with someone! Not just that, but they’ll be working with you to create joyful, once-in-a-lifetime images… So, you want to make sure you feel comfortable with them. 

You can love someone’s portfolio, but if you don’t click, it may not be worth it. Think it over, talk with your partner, and see how you both feel. It can come down to a gut feeling in the end, which is 100% okay. 

6. Do They Offer What You Need? 

You may be super excited to get a traditional wedding album, or maybe you just care about printing rights. Every couple has different priorities. Take stock of what is important to the two of you and ask if your photographer offers it. Products like prints, online galleries for your photos, albums, are just a few things to take into consideration. 

As you look for a wedding photographer, I hope these tips help! In the end, go with what feels right to you. You’re the only one who can decide who will ultimately best fit you & your partner’s wants & needs. 

If you have any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I would love to walk you through my process, offerings, and more. Contact me here to start talking details!

Here are links to a couple of previous weddings so you can see what to expect with me as your wedding photographer!

Amanda & Jesper’s Winter Wedding at Hedenlunda Slott

Sara & Visiri’s Elegant Wedding at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm

Danielle & Gustav’s Rainy Summer Wedding At Norrviken

xoxo, Isabelle