A wedding is one of the most beautiful moments in one’s life. It is natural to expect everything to be perfect and top-notch, even for a budget wedding. Regarding pictures, you will want to hire the best photographer. What will you do to hire one? Go online and select some top results, visit them, and hire them. That’s what we mostly do, right? However, you cannot just hire anybody you see online with some fancy pictures.
Hiring a photographer that doesn’t match your vision or style will result in a significant loss. Not only monetary but frustration in the end as well. Hiring a wedding photographer can be a daunting task when you don’t know much about them. This post will guide you to avoid mistakes while hiring wedding photographers.
What Are The Wedding Photographer Hiring Mistakes
You are already stressed regarding your wedding prep so it is possible to commit these mistakes. Don’t panic and continue reading the following.
1. Not Checking The Full Portfolio
You may have already checked your selected photographer’s portfolio from social media channels to profiles, pages, and websites. They were all looking great. Yet, you forgot to look at them in a sequence. You might have seen some random clicks that were looking stunning but what about the whole event? The thing is, every moment of the wedding is different from getting ready poses to coming to the aisle and dancing. Each moment has a different combination of lighting and photography style. What you should do is ask for a full day to shoot pictures. Take a look at those pictures and how they were captured.
This is the best way to determine if they match your expectations or not. You can also take a look at their expertise and ask them about what they were thinking while clicking that shot. They shouldn’t be hesitant to share their thought process.
2. Not Looking For A Wedding Expert
This is one of the most common mistakes among the couples. When they are looking for a wedding photographer they usually contact what internet, friends, and colleagues have recommended them. However, the mistake is, not every photographer is an expert wedding photographer. Wedding photographers should have an eye and knowledge about the event, its essence, and its candidness. He should be involved as an artist where every click should tell a story.
Though your cousin or even the selected photographer may click the images they were just random clicks with no touch of professionalism. Always look for the right wedding photographer with expertise and a portfolio of wedding captures, photography styles, and budgets exclusive to weddings.
3. Hiring Based On the Latest Equipment
When you are about to hire a wedding photographer then they will talk about their equipment a lot. Photographer loves to talk about their gear, equipment, and stuff. You may find it intimidating and want to hire them within no time. This can be a major mistake. The latest and expansive gear rent always about good photography. For professional photographers, this can be a plus but selection shouldn’t only be done based on equipment. You should consider their experience with weddings, photography style, and other practical factors. Though they may be good with their equipment you need professional clicks in the end. Check their work first instead of cameras only.
4. Not Having Extra Time For Event
This is another common mistake when hiring wedding photographers. You may have talked about the days or hours of the event. The photographers will give you an appointment accordingly. However, you shouldn’t forget that during the event, it is possible to take a little extra time. Though professional wedding photographers understand this you should talk about this during your time planning. Consider adding extra time to your schedule to avoid any rushed moments. You can ensure a relaxed and punctual schedule by allocating 45 minutes to couple portraits, 30 minutes to the wedding party, and 30 minutes to formal family photos.
5. Not Considering The Photographer’s Style
When you are looking through their wedding shots, you should notice if the style is consistent throughout the pictures. You can find different styles from dramatic, candid, posed, and photo-journalistic. If you see a bit of everything in every picture then you will have no idea what to expect from them. Instead, go online and search for different wedding photography styles. If you find something that matches your expectations then let them know. If they can do that and even show samples of them then you are good to go.
6. Asking For Album Samples
When hiring wedding photographers you may want to see the album sample. However, selecting from hundreds of shots to design your album can be stressful, and still, the shots you chose may not work the way you want. If a wedding photographer is offering you printing the photos then they are confident in the quality. So instead of watching clicks like you see on social media, ask them about the process of the album. Will they design the album by themselves, Will you have to select from hundreds or thousands of pictures or they will take the album shots already? This will help you create a lasting photo album.
7. Not Discussing Children
If you have a child or children in your wedding that you want to be a major part of the wedding then talk about this. Your selected wedding photographer should know about this. They will then prepare themselves with important arrangements for the kids. Make sure to discuss every little detail you have in your mind. Talk about their involvement in the ceremony and how you want them in the pictures. Your photographer can adapt their approach to make sure your child is included authentically and meaningfully.
8. Not Discussing The Budget
Everything may be better with you and your wedding photographer. Yet, the budget could be a make-or-break point. You may want a professional wedding photographer for your event but the more experienced they are, the more costlier they will be. The wedding photographer’s cost can be around $1300-$3000. Usually, these are considered decent ones with enough experience. Most couples are willing to pay this fee to their wedding photographer.
If you are on the budget side then you should talk about this and ask for any budget wedding packages. Most of the experienced wedding photographers offer budget shoots as well so you are more likely to get the best for your wedding clicks.
9. Not Asking For A Second Shooter
An average wedding consists of lots of friends, neighbors, and family members. Hiring a 2nd wedding photographer will not put the main photographer under stress. You can take advantage of both of them. Some precocious clicks such as vows, first kiss, first dance, and moments alike can be taken through multi-angle with 2 photographers. Also, not a single moment will be left by both of them. So, asking for a second shooter is a good investment.
Do I Need To Hire A Wedding Photographer?
Yes, you need to hire a wedding photographer. This is especially true when you want to remember the wedding for years or decades. These photographs will tell everyone a story. The angle, lighting, and pose of each guest and couple will let you relive those fantastic moments once again. So, instead of relying on your aunt or cousin with a fancy camera, hiring a professional wedding photographer matters a lot.
They will capture not just the images but also the essence of the event. However, before hiring a photographer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they are the right fit for your big day. Questions to ask a wedding photographer before hiring might include their experience, style, and how they handle different lighting conditions, so you feel confident in your choice.
Conclusion On Wedding Photographer
This is your big day and you will need to remember the best moments for years to come. Hiring a wedding photographer can help you relive the moment through high-quality and beautifully captured pictures. However, hiring a professional wedding photographer can be tough. Do not proceed in a rush and take your time before signing the contract. This guide will help you in this regard. For the best experience proceed months ago so you will have peace of mind during your wedding.
