How to Hire a Wedding Photographer

I was meeting with one of my clients and she said "I feel like everyone with a camera is a photographer these days, I'm going to need some help here". So here I am with help for her and for all the brides out there with this issue.  The market is saturated with wedding photographers or photographers period.  It can be overwhelming trying to find a photographer when there are so many to choose from.  Here are some tips on how to pick the right one for you. 

1) Start with a recommended photographer
If you have hired a wedding planner, then we will have many recommendations for you so you don't have to worry.  If you have not hired a wedding planner, most likely the recommendations you will receive will come from vendors you already hired.  Most venues have a list of vendors they like to work with and they will be happy to give you the recommendations.  You can also ask other vendors you have hired or you can ask a former bride you may know.  You start with recommendations because these photographers can be trusted.  The referral comes from a trusted source that has worked with the photographer, seen their work or has used them for their own wedding.  

2) Look at their work
After you have comb through these recommendation or photographers you've found yourself, you should look at their work. Almost everyone has blog or facebook page and their most recent work will be located there.  After you've done some preliminary screening, you have to meet them in person!! You want to meet this person who will be with on your wedding day for about 10 hours to make sure there is some kind of chemistry.  If you are comfortable with them, you will be comfortable in front of the camera and then you will have great pictures!!!

3) Hire a professional 

Everyone has to start somewhere.  I too once had my first wedding so this is a tough one for me because someone gave me a chance.  However, they took a chance on someone that has been studying, researching, learning and practicing within the wedding industry for some time before I opened my own business.  I had a portfolio and letters of recommendations for those who have mentored me.  This is what you are looking for in a photographer.  They should have worked with another photographer as an assistant and have proof of their work.  You should also ask to see a sample album.  The finish product is the most important element.  No one cares about beautiful pictures if you don't have beautiful album to display them.