Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Hiring a wedding photographer is an important step when it comes to planning your big day. Not only will your photographer capture beautiful memories that you can look back on for years to come, but your photographer will also be responsible for documenting one of the most important days of your life.
Hiring a wedding photographer is an important task. I have tried to gather all the information for you in this article and here is my Comprehensive guide for you to help you hire the perfect photographer for your wedding.
But first, if you are still confused about hiring a wedding photographer due to the high-end mobile phones every person may have at your wedding and you might be thinking about assigning this responsibility to one of your cousins OR thinking, Are wedding photos necessary? Read our below articles to know more –
Another question comes to our mind that should I spend money on a professional wedding photographer or I should opt for an amateur one to save some money, here are articles to give you a brief on this –
Another great idea for wedding photographs is to get disposable cameras, this helps you to capture candid moments and also record the moments which are not within reach of your wedding photographer. More about disposable cameras is in the below article.
But, disposable cameras and not your relatives are the alternative to a professional wedding photographer. This is not the event which comes into your life many times so I would suggest, do not take any risk and Hire a wedding photographer as per your requirements and Within your budget. Below I have tried to cover all aspects of hiring a wedding photographer and this step-by-step process you may choose to follow to hire your wedding photographer –
Determine the Style you like
The first step to starting this journey is to select the style you like. Think about the style of photography that you want for your wedding. There are many styles that can be included in one wedding album, but while shortlisting the photographer, you need to make sure, your photographer is good at clicking all styles you want in your wedding album. Some of the styles for wedding photography are –
- Traditional posed shots
- Candid Photography
- photojournalistic images
- Artistic/ Fine art approach
- Lifestyle: This style is a blend of photojournalism and fine art, it focuses on capturing the emotions and candid moments of the day while still incorporating elements of traditional and fine art photography.
- Documentary: This style is similar to photojournalism, but the focus is on capturing the entire wedding day in a narrative format, rather than just candid moments.
- Cinematic: This style is characterized by a more film-like approach, which incorporates movement, emotion, and storytelling in the final product. This style is usually done by videographers.
Having a clear idea of your preferred style will help you find a photographer who aligns with your vision. To check the styles currently in trend, I would suggest you follow the below suggestions –
Check Pinterest and Instagram for wedding photography trends
Start this process a bit early as soon as you decide to wed. This process may take some time and try to save the photos you like on your computer or mobile to discuss it with your photographer. You may make different folders for different styles you like. It could be differentiated by style or by wedding function. Below are some poses ideas for wedding photography. You may check the articles and save the poses you like –
- The couple poses for wedding photography
- Creative and unique wedding photography ideas
- Fun wedding couple photo ideas
Decide on the Photography Style and save some photography work.
It is good to have a clear picture of your requirements. You could save specific poses you want to be clicked at your wedding OR you could save the photos just for reference, to discuss the style when you meet the photographer in person.
To know more about types of wedding photography, you may want to check our below article –
The Kind Of Wedding Videography You Want
Wedding photography is not only about photography, it also includes “videography”. You should also have some idea and a clear picture of your requirements for videography as well. Check “Youtube” videos to check the trends. I would suggest checking videos of a wedding that is similar to your traditions and matching with the wedding style you are planning.
There are typically 2 types of wedding videography in trend, one is cinematic videography and the other one is traditional videography. In traditional videography, a photographer usually captures all events at the wedding although, in cinematic videography, a photographer shoots the video from different angles and tries to capture different other aspects of wedding events to create cinematic videos.
Photographers have also added drones to their pieces of equipment to capture aerial views of the venue.
Set a Budget
Before you start looking for photographers, it’s important to have a clear budget in mind. This will help narrow down your options and ensure that you find a photographer who fits within your price range. Keep in mind that wedding photography packages can vary greatly in price, so it’s important to do your research and be sure to shop around and get quotes from multiple photographers.
Below are some articles to get an idea of photographers’ prices, how much budget you should spend? And how you can save some money and still hire a good wedding photographer for your wedding.
- How much do wedding photographers cost?
- How much of your wedding budget should be spent on photography?
- Why are wedding photographers so expensive?
- Is $4000 a lot for a wedding photographer?
- How can I reduce the cost of my wedding photographer?
- How much should be wedding album budget?
If you are short on budget, I would suggest you check your real requirements. Hiring a Photographer only for your main function can also save you some money. Check below our suggestions for how much time you should hire a wedding photographer and how you can save some money on wedding photography.
Set your expectations –
Before finding and shortlisting a photographer, you should have an idea about your expectations. What type of photography do you need for your wedding? And how much are you willing to pay for it? But do not limit yourself to any specific type of photography. Open to photographer’s suggestions. Sometimes they may also have some good ideas as they are more aware of the trends and your venue. Below are some articles to get more in-depth about what you exactly need for your wedding photography.
Find a Photographer
Once you have an outline of what type and style of photography you need and how much you can pay for it, the next step is to find a wedding photographer. I would suggest finding a photographer not too far from your location or venue. Sometimes, people opt for a destination wedding, in that case, you have two options, you can hire a photographer at your location and take it with you OR hire a photographer near the wedding venue. But in both cases, you will have to analyze all aspects before choosing the final one. Below is some helpful content you may read –
Once we are at this step, here are some options for finding the best possible photographer for your wedding –
Ask friends and family –
Look for recommendations: Ask friends, family, and wedding vendors for recommendations on photographers. If a photographer is recommended by someone in your family or friend, you will get first-hand feedback on their services and overall experience. You can also check the work of wedding photographers just by checking the albums of the person.
Search on the internet –
Keep the records of photographers recommended by family and friends but do not limit yourself and make a quick decision. Do your research! You may find something more interesting, less expensive or more suitable as per your requirements.
Don’t rely on just the top 10 searches on Google-Go up to the 4th-5th page to see the work of many wedding photographers. The reason for this strictly flows from your intent at hiring a good artist who has an eye for this art and who fits your budget. A good marketer or a good SEO expert may not always make a good photographer for your wedding. Below are some good places to search for a wedding photographer –
Wedding planning websites –
Business Directories –
Business listing on Maps –
- Google Maps
- Apple maps
Scroll Through Social Media
Social media is also a good medium to search for a photographer. Many photographers list their businesses on social media and also share their latest work on their business pages. Filter searches based on your location can be done on Facebook and other social media platforms. Some photographers only list their businesses on social media to share their work. These photographers have fewer expenses to operate the business so their charges may be cheaper than other professional photographers.
Compare the Packages and Options you find –
Once you have a list of 10-20 photographers in your area, you can start comparing them based on your requirements. Check their online reviews, and look at their portfolio. Save the URLs of their “portfolio” as you may need to check it many times while shortlisting.
Below are some questions you need to check while comparing the packages from the photographer –
- Did you check the portfolio of the photographer?
- Do you like the photography style of the photographer?
- Do photographers have more than a 4-star rating out of 5 on google or other social media?
- Did you check the reviews and do you like the feedback given to the photographer?
- Do the packages on their website come under your budget? Is it ok or expensive?
- You need to check the work and packages and make a list of photographers shortlisted.
- how much are wedding photography packages?
- What is typically included in a wedding photography package?
Check the availability
- Now, this is the time to call your photographer.
- First, you need to check for their availability and then you can ask the below questions over a phone call-
- Discuss your requirements.
- Ask for the Whole Gallery of Wedding Photos.
- Who is the ‘lead’ photographer?
- For how many hours do you need photography services?
- How many hours are included in the package?
- How many members are there in the team?
Ask photographers to provide you with information on their packages and pricing. Discuss the package in detail and make notes of the discussion. Share your approximate budget (Avoid telling your exact budget so that it helps you in negotiating the prices. Get their quotes by sharing your requirements) and ask for the best suitable package for you.
Discuss the exact deliverables and package, including:
- Number of edited pictures and raw pictures?
- What is the turnaround time for wedding photos?
- Wedding Album
Carefully review what is included in each package to ensure that you are getting the coverage and services that you want.
Shortlist a photographer
You may shortlist at least 5-6 photographers based on the requirements you have and the conversation done over a phone call. Meet each one of them in person to check out their portfolios and know about their work experience, prices, and cancellation policies.
Set a Meeting
Once you have your shortlisted photographer list, you can schedule a face-to-face meeting with each one. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, discuss your vision for the wedding, and get a feel for their personality and approach to wedding photography. It’s also a good idea to bring along a list of specific shots that you would like to have taken on your wedding day. You can meet the photographer at cafes, restaurants, or their studio or you can invite them to your home. Ask photographers to get their portfolio with them to discuss in a meeting.
Before the meeting, you also should have an idea about what is to be included in your albums. You may go through the below article to know more –
Secondly, you should have a clear picture of how many photos you need for your wedding album. Read the below article to know more –
- How Many Photos Should A Photographer Deliver For A Wedding?
- How many photos are enough for a wedding? 200? 400? Or more
Once you have a rough idea about your expectation, you may negotiate with your photographer and discuss the best deals they can offer. Here below is the article for all questions you should discuss with your photographer before finalizing the deal.
You may also discuss the timeline of your wedding day and discuss if it matches with the photographer. Read more about the timeline in below article –
Albums are usually included in wedding packages but you should have an idea about market trends, and what type of album will be good for you. Many photographers offer “online photo albums” with their package as complementary with physical wedding albums. Although, some people do not prefer physical wedding albums. Read the below article to get the answers to album-related queries-
- Do people still do wedding albums? Should I get it from the photographer?
- Do wedding photographers provide albums?
- What makes an album valuable? Why are wedding albums so important?
Once you decide on your wedding album, You may want to check the different options for wedding albums your photographer can offer. You can also read the below article to know more about the types of wedding albums–
You may also ask for the cost of additional wedding albums to gift to your parents and family members.
- How much does a wedding album cost?
- Why are wedding albums so expensive?
- How many pictures should be in a wedding album?
Digital photo albums are also in trend. These are easy to share with all your family and friends. You may ask your wedding photographer if they have any service similar to this. Digital photo albums can be shared with all your guests and are not like limited copies of wedding albums which can be viewed only when your family or friends visit your place.
Another important thing to discuss in the meeting is the payment terms. Different photographers have different payment terms. Usually, Photographers ask for half portion of the agreed amount as advance, and the rest can be paid when your album is delivered. But this is not the case with all photographers. So it is advised to check the payment terms with the photographer and have them clearly mentioned in the contract. Some professional wedding photographers ask for full payment at the time of booking. This is an agreement completely between you and your photographer. You can also negotiate the terms. To know more about the payment terms, read the below article –
Additionally, there are a few more things you need to take into consideration such as tips and other expenses you may have to pay for the services such as travel expenses and accommodation in case the wedding venue is far from his location or out of the city. You may read the below articles to know more about tips. Food and other expenses you may have to bear in addition to the payment –
Schedule a Test Run
Mostly, photographers can be shortlisted by analyzing their previous work. But photographers’ portfolios only consist of the best photos taken throughout their career. So you need to be extra sure about your choice. Your wedding is an important event and you can’t take any risks. To avoid such situations, you may schedule a test run if you are not sure about their skills. You may plan a studio photoshoot with your partner or just a simple photoshoot of your family. This way you can analyze the skills of your photographer.
Secure a Photographer
After you have met with a few photographers, review their contracts and packages to compare prices and services. Make sure to pay close attention to the details, including the number of hours the photographer will be working, the number of edited images you will receive, and any additional services that are included.
Once you have found the perfect photographer and have agreed upon a package, be sure to secure them by signing a contract and making a deposit. This will ensure that you have your chosen photographer booked for your big day. Make sure that everything is in writing.
Before signing a contract, be sure to carefully read and understand all the terms and conditions. Make sure that you are comfortable with the terms and that everything that you have agreed upon is clearly stated in the contract. Some key points are to be remembered while signing a contract with a photographer.
- Keep a record of whatever agreement you have. This would help you in case of any misunderstanding or dispute.
- Confirm the timeline of your events with the photographer.
- Share your list of must-have shots that you want from the photographer. (For example, jewelry shots, getting ready shots, wedding dress shots, bridesmaids’ pictures, etc.)
- Share your family member’s Photo
If you are unsure or need more details about signing a photography contract, breaking a wedding photography contract, or need more details on legal aspects, you may read the below articles –
- Do I need a contract with my wedding photographer?
- How do I break a wedding photography contract?
- Do wedding photographers have copyrights to the photos?
What About An Engagement Or Pre-wedding photoshoot?
There are several reasons to book the same photographer for your engagement shoot. Below are some reasons –
- You get to know your photographer better
- You get a little practice run at being in front of the camera. You may find some of your best angles for wedding photographs.
- Spending time with your wedding photographer before the wedding day will allow you to get to know their style, and for them to understand your own preferences.
- As you have more conversations with each other, you’ll probably enjoy coming up with new ideas.
- It’s also not just about the engagement, but about the whole timeline and development of your love story. Photos clicked by the same photographer can easily merge with wedding photos and you can make a timeline with engagement and wedding photos together.
- Engagement Photos May Be Included in the Best Package and you may save little money in the bank by getting the best deals.
- You want high-quality images for your save-the-dates and invites.
Check our article on Creative pre-wedding photoshoot poses below-
On the wedding day
Your professional wedding photographer is expected to take all important shots such as Couple portrait shots, Partner and their Individual Family Members, The In-Betweens and All the Emotion, The Moments Immediately After the Ceremony, Photos of the Couple Enjoying their Reception, Pictures of the Couple’s Parents and much more. However, if you have any special event or request, Please make sure, your photographer should aware of that. Below are some articles from us to help you plan your day and how to pose for your wedding photos –
- When should wedding photographers arrive?
- How long should wedding photos take? How much time should you allot?
- How do you smile in a wedding photo?
- How can I look thinner in a wedding photo?
Get the Album from the Photographer
Usually, it takes 15-20 days to get the album back from the photographer. Although it may take more if your photographer has a small team and have many contracts for wedding photography. Some photographers have a different team for editing work or they outsource the editing work. In that case, it may take comparatively less time. If you need your wedding photographs a bit early, you should discuss this at the initial stage before signing the contract. Some articles related to editing are below, you may go through the articles to get more information –
- how long do wedding photos take to get back?
- do wedding photographers edit all photos?
- How long do wedding photographers take to edit photos?
- Why do wedding photographers take so long?
- Do wedding photographers use Photoshop?
In addition, the below articles will give you an idea of how long should be the wedding album and in what order you should put pictures in the wedding album.
To know more about the editing practices wedding photographers follow, you may read below articles –
Remember to take soft Copies of wedding photos
I recommend you ask for digital copies of your wedding photos from your photographer. This will allow you to have a backup of the images and make it easy to share them online or print them in the future. Additionally, digital copies give you more flexibility for editing and cropping images. Make sure to clarify the terms of usage of the digital copies with your photographer before signing the contract.
Another question comes into the client’s mind Do I need RAW footage of the wedding?
It depends on your preferences and the intended use of the footage. RAW footage is unprocessed and unedited, providing a higher level of detail and quality. However, it also requires more technical expertise and software to edit. If you plan on doing significant editing or want the most flexibility for post-processing, then RAW footage may be beneficial. However, if you are happy with the edited photos provided by the photographer, then RAW footage may not be necessary. It’s always good to discuss this with your photographer and see what they offer.
Make Backups
Making backups are always advisable. It’s recommended to use multiple backup options to ensure that you have multiple copies of your photos in case of any mishaps. Here are a few options for backing up your wedding photos:
- Cloud storage- Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud allow you to upload and store your photos in the cloud, making them accessible from any device with internet access.
- External hard drive
- DVD or USB drive: You can also backup your photos to a DVD or USB drive, which can be stored in a safe place.
- Online backup service: Specialized online services like Backblaze, Crashplan, and Carbonite are specifically designed for the backup and recovery of data.
- Extra Prints: You can also get physical copies of your photos printed and store them in another album or photo box.
Wedding photographers also keep photos. But how long? Check the below article to know more –
Photo editing if you don’t like anything
Still, if you do not like anything provided by your wedding photographer, or after some years you need any changes done in your images, or what to make a collage, etc, you can experiment yourself or get them edited by any professional. There are many photo editing tools available online, both free and paid. Here are a few popular options:
- Canva
- Pixlr
- Fotor
- BeFunky
- Adobe Photoshop Express
- GIMP: Free and open-source photo editing software that can be downloaded and run on your computer.
To know more read our below article –
To Hire a Professional wedding photo editor, there are many online places to find the best one. Here are a few websites where you can find and hire professional photo editors –
- Upwork
- Fiverr
- PeoplePerHour
- Freelancer
- Guru
Stock photography websites that also offer editing services.
- Shutterstock
- iStock
- Storyblocks
Share it with your Family and Friends
At last, share your memories with your family and friends. You can gift albums to parents and close relatives. Upload them on Social Media and let the world know about the happiest moment of your life, or Display wedding albums at home and recall the memories whenever you like.
Learn below, how you can display wedding albums at home. –
If you are here and reading this text, I hope you like this information. Please comment below with your feedback and let me know if something I forget to add.
I wish you a Happy Married life ahead!