Tips to Hire a Wedding Photographer

Your photographer will be with you all day (literally) on your wedding, so it's important to find someone who you hit it off with and who's professional. Start by asking recently married couples for recommendations and reading reviews online.

Look for photographers in  Apulia who have shot in venues and lighting environments similar to your own. Different photographers handle lighting in different ways, and it can make a big difference in the end results.

Know What You Want

There are photographers who take photos and there are photographers who capture MOMENTS. You want your wedding images to be more than just snapshots on your phone – you want them to be beautiful pieces of art that you hang up in your home and share with the world.

When searching for a photographer, it is important to build your list through recommendations and then carefully inspect online portfolios. Some photographers may only include highlight reels of their work on their websites while others will provide full wedding galleries for you to view. Ask your potential photographer if they have shot at your venue and request to see those galleries as well!

Once you have narrowed down your list of photographers, it is also a good idea to keep a record of any and all agreements made. This will prevent any misunderstandings or disputes that may arise on your wedding day. You do not want to be stuck with a photographer who changes the event schedule at the last minute or misses a key moment because they were unfamiliar with family dynamics or other specifics of your day.

Look at Their Portfolio

When reviewing photographers’ portfolios, pay close attention to whether or not the photos are from styled sessions or real weddings. It’s much easier to make models look stunning with ideal lighting and unlimited time, than it is to make an actual couple look great during a rushed 10 minutes at the end of the day when everyone is hungry, tired and ready to get dancing!

Ask to see a full wedding gallery. This will give you a better sense of how they handle the entire event. You’ll want to see that they can capture everything from portraits, details, and ceremony to reception and night shots!

It’s also a good idea to ask about any awards, community ties and publishing work. These can all be great indicators of the photographer’s quality and reputation. Many brides also find comfort in knowing that their photographer has experience in the type of wedding they’re planning. That doesn’t mean they have to have shot every kind of wedding there is, but it does help!

Ask for Testimonials

There is no better way to get a feel for whether a wedding photographer is right for you than by hearing from their past clients. Ask your potential photographer for testimonials that you can read online and/or ask for contact information for previous brides and grooms who have hired them for their weddings.

Also, be sure to ask if you can see full wedding galleries from recent weddings. Many wedding photographers only show highlights albums on their websites and Instagram and these may not represent the full quality of their work. Ask to see several full wedding galleries and make sure there is a variety of photos from getting ready, the ceremony, portraits and reception.

Finally, make sure to ask the photographer if they have a backup plan in case they become ill or injured on your wedding day. A good photographer will be able to communicate clearly with you, explain their process if something goes wrong and provide you with a list of options for how you can proceed if necessary.

Read Reviews

The photographer you choose will be spending the day with you, and it’s important to get along on a personal level. If you aren’t on the same page, your relationship won’t work out and it could cause problems in the long run (like having to find another photographer last minute because your first choice is booked).

When reviewing photographers, pay close attention to their portfolios. You’ll want to see consistency in their work and make sure that the images aren’t all just styled shoots, but are actual wedding photos. It’s much easier to make models look perfect with a beautiful location, but a professional should be able to make an entire wedding party and all of the emotions shine through even in a dark venue!

Once you’ve narrowed your list of candidates, you can start reaching out to them and connect over the phone or email. It’s also a good idea to ask how long they’ve been in business, as this can be an indicator of experience and quality.