How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your New Jersey Wedding
How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your New Jersey Wedding
Selecting the right photographer for your wedding is crucial in ensuring that your special day is beautifully captured and immortalized in a way that makes your heart sing. With so many photographers to choose from, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your options. In this guide, I'll offer you guidance, insights, and a voice from inside the industry. I’ll also include important questions to ask during consultations and red flags to watch out for.
Determine Your Style
Before you start searching for a photographer, it's essential to determine your preferred photography style. Whether you prefer traditional, photojournalistic, or fine art photography, knowing your style will help you narrow down your options and find a photographer whose aesthetic aligns with yours. My couples love me for my bold, vibrant, punchy colors in my creative portraiture and candid storytelling images.
Research and Review Portfolios
Once you've found photographers with whose vision you feel connected to, do a little homework. Look at their online portfolios, social media profiles, and reviews from past clients to get a sense of each photographer's style, skill level, personality, and professionalism. Pay attention to the consistency and quality of their work, as well as their ability to capture emotions and tell a story through their photos. You should be able to look at 100 photos on the screen and feel like they are all from the same photographer. If you see washed-out colors in one, a pink hazy filter on another, and over-saturated tones in the next, this is a red flag. What will your 1,000 wedding photos look like? Mish mash? No thank you!
Schedule Consultations
After narrowing down your list of potential photographers, have consultations with each one to discuss topics like your vision, budget, and any specific unique aspects or requirements for your wedding day. Take this time to ask important questions while gauging each photographer's personality, communication style, and professionalism. Here are some key questions to ask during consultations:
Are you available on our wedding date, and do you have any backup plans in case of emergencies?
I always have a second lead photographer with me who can confidently fill my shoes should an emergency occur.
Can you show me examples of weddings you've photographed from my venue or in a similar location? Can we see a sample wedding album or gallery to get an idea of your storytelling approach?
I share full weddings with couples to show visual consistency in editing and to display what a wedding day looks like through my eyes.What service options do you offer? Can you customize coverage options to meet our specific needs?
Personalized not packaged is my motto.How many hours of coverage do you provide, and do you offer additional hours if needed?
I custom create day-of timelines for each and every wedding.What is your turnaround time for delivering edited photos, and how will we receive our final images?
Within 90 days or less, my couples receive their hi-res images in their own beautiful custom gallery.Do you have any additional fees or expenses we should be aware of?
Nothing is ever hidden. We discuss additional hours, permit fees, and anything that may fall outside the scope of our initial booking.Can you provide references from past clients?
I have testimonials on my website, and reviews on Google, Wedding Wire, Zola, and more.
Red Flags to Watch For
During consultations and while reviewing portfolios, keep an eye out for red flags that may indicate a photographer is not the right fit for your wedding. Some common red flags include:
Lack of professionalism or poor communication skills.
Is this who you want your friends and family to spend all day with? Nope!Inconsistency in the quality or style of their work.
Things brings us back to talking about style. A photographer worth their salt should have a large portfolio of images that all look and feel cohesiveUnwillingness to provide references or answer questions transparently.
I mean, come on haha…Hidden fees or unclear pricing structures.
Everything should be laid out in a wy that hopefully keeps you from even needing to ask.
Negative reviews or feedback from past clients.
Sure, it’s not always possible to get 1,000 5-star review reviews in a row, yet watch out for a pattern of negative reviews that articulate similar things that they were dissatisfied with.
Choosing the right photographer for your wedding is a huge decision. These will be the visual memories you’ll have forever! Once you determine your preferred style, do your research, schedule consultations, and ask important questions, you’ll find a photographer who not only captures images that speak to you, and also understands and respects your vision for your special day. Keep an extra lookout for those red flags and trust your instincts when making your final decision. Remember, your wedding photos will be cherished memories for years to come, so investing in the right photographer is a must!