I know you’re anxiously awaiting Tip #2 for finding the right photographer, so here it is:

(Missed the first one? Find it here.)

I like you.

As much as you like the photography, it’s equally important that you like the photographer. Keep in mind that you’ll be hiring this person to follow you around, as your personal paparazzi, for an entire day – one of the most important days of your life! Find someone who’s personality meshes well with your own. Be sure to meet with the photographer in person. Whether it’s a formal consultation or just a cup of coffee, you’ll be able to judge whether or not you can get along with them.

Taking advantage of an engagement portrait session with your photographer is another great way to get to know each other. The photographer will find out what you are comfortable with, how you interact with one another and what types of shots your personalities lend themselves to. You’re also much more likely to be relaxed in front of her camera on the big day.

Stay tuned for the last two tips for finding the right photographer!

Tips for finding the right wedding photographer

Your dreams have come true! You’ve found your soul-mate and you’ve committed to spending the rest of your lives together! Now it’s time to find your soul-…photographer? In addition to all of the stresses that come with planning a wedding, many couples find themselves in the dark when it comes to selecting the perfect wedding photographer. With so many talented photographers available, it’s hard to know where to start and what questions to ask. So having been a bride, and now a photographer, I wanted to offer what advice I can. It’s not an “eHarmony” solution that will match your 12 points of photographer compatibility, but I’ve come up with four topics you should discuss and research before choosing one.  Here’s number one:

It’s all about the Benjamins photos.

Be sure that you fall in love with the photos! Too often couples limit themselves to a pool of photographers based on price, referral or at the urging of their friends and family. It’s very generous of Uncle Joe to offer to take the pics at your wedding for free, but if Uncle Joe doesn’t have the portfolio to back up his offer, you’ll be between a rock and a hard place when you don’t know how to tell him you’re less than disappointed with the results! (For tips on how to let Uncle Joe down easy, email me!) You want to find a photographer that you can afford and trust, but it’s also crucial that you genuinely like and admire the photographer’s work.

Photographers (myself included) get into a habit of trying to define their styles using industry buzz-words like “photojournalistic” or “traditional.” However, every photographer is different, so it’s important to pay less attention to those style labels and more to the photos themselves. Spend plenty of time browsing the photographer’s portfolio. Do you like their use of natural light? Do you like the portraits of the bride and groom? How do you feel about the candid shots, and more abstract photos? What about their treatment of the wedding details? If you find yourself hoping to hang similar images on your walls someday, chances are it’s a good fit! Don’t worry about defining the “style” that you like best, what matters is that you love their work and you’ll be happy with the way they capture the special moments of your wedding day.

Stay tuned for my other three tips for finding the right photographer!