Style
Don't just choose a photographer you hear is really good. A beautiful portfolio is of course a feast for the eyes, but does it suit you? Who you are and what you stand for?
Everyone is different, everyone has their own "love language" and every photographer has a different style, different values and standards or a different way of telling a story. Every wedding is different! And thank goodness, that makes everything so special and unique.
The click
Your wedding photographer is in your "inner circle" all day long, it goes without saying that it has to be someone you feel comfortable with. It is really quite uncomfortable to have a camera pointed at you those first minutes (been there, done that, I truly know how you feel!).
So choose someone who makes you feel comfortable, who ensures that you quickly forget about the camera and can enjoy each other.
The vibe has to match!!! That will quickly become clear during an introductory meeting.
The person or "the factory"?
That's pretty much the same as shopping at a local retailer or shopping at a large online store.
Choose a photographer as a person, with whom you actually know who will come to photograph on your important day. Don't be tempted by a beautiful portfolio (who actually took this photo?) but where you don't know who will come to photograph.
Choose a photographer who photographs FOR YOU, not for himself or herself or on behalf of a specific contract or a specific portfolio that he or she wants to create.
Of course, this does not apply to:
a second shooter (an additional photographer who comes with the main photographer)
an associate shooter (someone who replaces the main photographer in case of illness or force majeure). This will always be someone who the main photographer knows will come to photograph for the right reasons and with a good vibe.
Reviews
Once you have found someone whose style really speaks to you, try to think about how other people have felt and experienced the whole experience. It is not just the end result that is important, but also everything that goes into it.
You do you, that is always the case but it certainly can't hurt to take a look at how satisfied others are or what their own experience was, to come to a good decision in terms of a wedding photographer. Read those reviews!
The price
This is deliberately not at the top of this list. Because the price does not say everything.
Compare carefully what is included, is there clarity and transparency or are some things deliberately not mentioned, which ultimately become expensive supplements?
Do you receive all images, or just a selection? In high resolution or low resolution?
How can guests see their own photo now that they've made themselves extra pretty? ...
Wedding photography remains a valuable investment.
Experience and expertise remain very important in this.
There is really a lot going on, on a wedding day, we have to deal with many different people, different light situations and weather conditions, different locations, differences in daily schedules and activities. As a good photographer you not only need good equipment in your real backpack but also the expertise that you can always rely on and fall back on in your imaginary backpack.
Ghosts
Wedding suppliers (and I think I can speak for all independents) put their heart and soul into their business. Also in your quote. They take the time to share their expertise and have the best intentions for you. Even if you choose someone else, it is always nice to let them know!
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