9 tips on how to choose a wedding photographer in 2024
With the most wedding vendors, you have a pretty clear idea of what you are buying. You see the decorations in advance, you can smell the bouquet and even touch the wedding dress to see if the fabric is pleasant to touch. However, you can't hold your wedding photos before the wedding; you will not taste them, nor can you listen to them. And yet they are one of the few things you will have left of the wedding. That is why it is important to spend some time on choosing a wedding photographer, his professional skills and artistic style. Follow these 9 steps to help you choose the best wedding photographer.
1) Settle on a photography style
When choosing a wedding photographer, you basically have two options to start your research: either based on the personality of the photographer or according to the style of the wedding photos. The second option is more common, so I'll start with that.
Before exploring photographers' websites directly, take some time to think about the style of photos you prefer. Do you like muted dark toning, soft pastel shades, or natural colors and contrast? Get inspired! Spend some time viewing photos on Instagram or Pinterest. Mark the ones that resonate with you, and create your own online mood board with the most popular ones. You'll suddenly notice which types of photos attract you the most.
Each photographer has their own unique style and approach to editing. It's a good idea to start the selection process based on your preferences. For example, if you envision beautiful portraits hanging on your wall after the wedding, consider reaching out to a photographer known for capturing such images. Remember, you don't necessarily need to limit yourself to one style, as many wedding photographers can seamlessly blend portraiture and documentary shots. However, if there's a specific style you love, focus on photographers who specialize in it.
2) Do your homework
If you have settled on a particular style, you can begin your search for a photographer. Utilizing a combination of Google searches, perusing wedding blogs, and engaging in discussions is just one of the many ways to initiate this process. Reach out to other wedding suppliers whom you know and trust—such as a wedding planner, a wedding venue, or a florist. They will likely be delighted to recommend a photographer known for their reliability and professionalism. Additionally, seek recommendations from friends based on their experiences.
Next, carefully examine potential photographers' websites and blogs. Look for the specific types of photos you desire and evaluate whether the photographer can capture the moments that hold significance for you. Simultaneously, ensure that you focus on photos from various segments of the wedding day, in different settings and under diverse weather conditions. If your wedding is set in a luxurious city hotel, opt for a photographer experienced in such environments rather than one accustomed to photographing solely in nature. If possible, explore their presence on Facebook and Instagram. Observe how the photographer responds and interacts with followers. Do they come across as friendly and personable? You get the idea.
TIP - don’t limit yourself to photographers in your area, and don’t be afraid to look for a professional from the other side of the country. If they're truly exceptional, any additional travel cost will be a relatively small amount in the overall price.
3) Find referrals
Once you have selected several photographers, search for reviews from their previous clients. Whether it's referrals on Facebook or Google, or mentions in various wedding discussions, these sources can provide you with insights into how the photographer works. Dozens of satisfied reviews from various sources will give you a good idea if this is the right photographer for you.
4) Set up the inverviews
This is not a decision that can be made based on looks alone. Reach out to the photographers and ask them for a personal meeting. If this is not possible due to time constraints or great distance, opt for an online meeting. Personal contact is always the best way to discuss precisely what you want from your wedding photographs.
Talk to the photographer about what interests you most in their work and the kind of wedding you are planning. Discuss the entire wedding day, focusing on what is most important to you and your family. Every professional will be happy to go through the details with you and offer advice based on their experience.
Don't be upset if they recommend another photographer. This can happen if they feel that you expect something a little different from your wedding photos than they could provide. Even a photographer is just a human being; they can be an introvert or an extrovert. If they know you're looking for the exact opposite, they should tell you that.
TIP - if possible, attend a personal meeting together with your partner. Among all the wedding vendors, the photographer will undoubtedly spend the most time with you. Therefore, both of you should feel relaxed with them by your side.
5) See a few whole wedding albums
Even during the initial survey, it's good to search for a photographer who presents wedding galleries with, for example, 100 or more photos, rather than just the 2 to 3 best images. However, even the larger galleries usually feature only a fraction of the final albums. Therefore, inquire during a personal meeting if the photographer could show you the complete wedding album. Take the time to thoroughly examine them, whether in an online gallery or a printed wedding album. And don't hesitate to ask the photographer for his comments. This way, you can gain a better understanding of the photographer's perspective on weddings, what matters to them, and if their vision aligns with yours.
6) Ask about your rights
Find out the possible conditions of use. Will you receive high-resolution photos without a watermark, which you can print yourself at any time? Or are only digital proofs included, with additional costs for prints and albums? Can you share photos without watermarks on your social profiles? Many things that you may assume are granted might not be clear, so don't hesitate to ask.
7) Ask about postproduction details
The selection is slowly coming to an end. You have seen entire wedding albums, you like the portfolio, and the photographer’s approach is similar to yours.
Now, go through the wedding collections. Ask how many photos you get in total, how many will be edited, whether they will be in color or black and white, and if retouching is included. It is good to know everything in advance so that you are not surprised after the wedding, for example, to find that small skin retouches are not included, and you have to pay extra for them.
8) Choose printed products and services
This part is often forgotten, but I highly recommend not to skip it, even if you only want your digital files. Why? I know from experience that many clients who didn’t initially want a wedding album often completely changed their minds after holding luxury Italian albums with a quality that is unmatched by anything produced in our country. Unfortunately, only a few wedding photographers offer luxury quality products. The same holds true for wall art.
If you want a truly unique product, it is good to ask the photographer whether they can provide it for you. Many manufacturers of such products do not offer the possibility of direct ordering by brides and grooms; they produce only for photographers. Therefore, if you decide on a luxury album after the wedding, it is quite possible that the best offers will not be available if you haven’t asked for it at the beginning.
It is kind of similar with photography services. Do you want to experience a unique projection of a same-day slideshow of your wedding photos during the evening at the wedding? It is a truly unique and unforgettable experience when you can enjoy the first moment of seeing your wedding photos right at the wedding with all your guests around you. It is good to ask if the photographer offers such an option.
9) Consider the price range
How much does a wedding photographer cost? What is the price of wedding photos? These are some of the most frequently asked questions, but they are often not so important, especially if you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, and your wedding photography is as important to you as the whole wedding.
The price of a wedding photographer in the Czech Republic for full-day coverage ranges from 300 EUR all the way up to 5,000 EUR. Unfortunately, no one can tell you how much you should invest in photos; it's entirely up to you. Only you know how important the memories are to you.
However, it is useless to wonder why one photographer charges one price while another one asks for double or triple, even when the photos look similar to you. It's like with cars. Even an old car for 1,500 EUR will probably get you to your destination just like a BMW for 150,000 EUR. The difference is in the kind of experience you will have and whether you'll want to experience it again.
For a wedding season 2024, the price for a full-day wedding coverage in the Czech Republic could be divided roughly into 4 categories:
Up to 700 EUR - beginners and photographers who usually have a second job or weddings are not their expertise. The quality varies a lot; you will find beautiful photos, but also those that you will not put on your wall.
700 - 2000 EUR - an experienced photographer who should provide you with good photos that you will be happy to look at.
2000 - 4000 EUR - a professional who has been proven for years, capable of offering something extra, providing unique photos, offering quality and luxurious products, professional customer service, and, thanks to their experience, knowing exactly what will happen at a wedding before it happens. Last but not least, after the wedding, you will hear an incredible amount of praise from your guests that they have never experienced such an excellent and humane photography approach.
4000+ EUR - the same as in the previous range, just focusing more on the most expensive Czech and international weddings. Professional service should be guaranteed, as well as the offer of luxury products.
However, as always, there are exceptions in all categories.
Remember that whoever you choose in the end is up to you. It's a purely subjective decision on how much you want your photos to stand out.
I wish you all the best in finding the perfect photographer. So, in 40 years, when you show your wedding album to your grandchildren, the photos will remind you of how you felt the moment you looked into each other's eyes and knew that you wanted to spend the rest of your lives next to each other.
your wedding photographer
Jindrich
P.S. And if you want to see what a wedding shoot with me can look like, check out more photos right here on my website and feel free to get in touch. I'm Jindrich, the Prague wedding photographer, and I'd love to create a unique memory of your day.
