How to find a Wedding Photographer | Colorado Wedding Photography

Finding a professional photographer for your wedding can be very simple for some, and overwhelming for others. I’ve had people I know come to me and say “I’ve already decided your my wedding photographer, what’s the next step?” In this example of a “simple” situation, they have already established a relationship and trust with the photographer and have followed and loved their work for some time.

What if you don’t know any wedding photographers though?

The first thing any normal person this day and age would do is type “Denver wedding photographers” in google search. After an “overwhelming” amount of wedding photographers pop up on your page, where do you go from there?

Here’s a list of ideas on how to find your wedding photographer, and be content and fully satisfied in your decision, so you can move forward worry free with the next steps of planning your wedding.

DON’T HIRE BY PRICE, HIRE BY STYLE

I put this at the top of the list because I think it is the most important tip I can give you. Hire by style and the feeling the photographers work gives you. The first thing you will most likely do is look at their pricing on their website. Some photographers may have a list of full pricing, starting at pricing, or maybe it gives you the option to inquire about pricing. Whatever the case, don’t be so quick to mark them off your list. Whether it’s seems a bit out of your budget, or you just don’t want to take the time to message and ask them about pricing, don’t make the decision based on money. Make a top five list of your favorite wedding photographers by style and images only. Starting at the top with your favorite wedding photographer on the list, try and play the tape forward.

Close your eyes and imagine how it would feel to have just received your final wedding gallery. Picture your loved ones and family captured in their work. Take a breath and take note of how that feels to you. You can also do this quick exercise and imagine that you just booked this wedding photographer for your wedding. How does it feel to have booked your favorite photographer!? You feel relieved, confident, excited!? Remember that feeling. This also works the other way around. Say you have started your wedding photographer search based on budget and discounts. Their work online looks good. You think “Yeah, that will do” even though, their work doesn’t wow you or give you that excitement like other photographers that you’ve seen do. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine booking and receiving. How do you feel? Do you have that same relieved, confidence, and exciting feeling? I know, some photographers pricing might just be far and in-between your budget. And that’s ok. I just want you to make your decision on a good feeling instead of a “good enough” shoulder shrug. Even if it comes down to the fourth favorite photographer on your list, you won’t be sorry that you took the time to do the research, and at least looked into the others to get to your final decision.

ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

I would suggest asking the people you trust. Most likely someone you know has been, or knows someone who was involved with or apart of a wedding in the last several years. Ask around, post your question on social media, and get as many suggestions that you can.

Know that you have a list of photographers from the people you trust, you can take the next step to finding your wedding photographer.

FIND WHAT STYLE YOU LIKE BEST

Professional photographers are artists. They all have their own style or stamp to what they do. The first and most obvious would be to find what look you are looking for. Dark and moody or bright and airy are a few looks you can choose from. Most people won’t have to think hard on what look they like, they will just know when they see it.

Once establishing the look, it’s time to dig a bit deeper in what you want. Really look at the diversity of their work. Do they seem to do more traditional, straight forward posed images? Is their work more emotional driven or journalistic, and focused on capturing the emotions and moments of the day? Is the image composition more eye-point view and straight forward or do they sprinkle more unique point-of views through angles and objects? With all these different styles in the back of your mind, write down what really catches your eye when you come across an image you really love. Is it the mood, emotion, lighting, angle captured, etc. One of my favorite platforms to look at peoples work is Instagram. It’s designed for image content and shows a bit more variety of the photographers work.

WEBSITE AND REVIEWS

One good way to build that trust before you even know anything about the photographer is reading their reviews online. Hearing other couples experience with the wedding photographer can really give you a honest idea of their reliability and professionalism. Also, make sure you “read” through their website and not just “look” through. Read their about page and other stand out quotes they may have. You can really get a sense of what they enjoy, their sense of humor, and beliefs. All of this information will give you confidence in taking that next step of reaching out and contacting them.

SCHEDULE A FACE-TO-FACE

Now that you love their work and have a feel of what they are like, your ready to schedule a face-to-face. I know, some people feel more comfortable with just email or messaging, but meeting your potential wedding photographer in person, over facetime, or at least via phone call will actually save you much more time than the back and forth emails. Something about that true connection and feel from seeing and hearing someone over reading a message. It could take you five minutes talking with someone to instantly know that they are the right one or not. Your photographer is someone you will be working with for multiple months before and after your wedding. They will also most likely be the one person that is with you the most in every intimate setting on your wedding day. You will not regret meeting or talking with your favorite wedding photographers at least once before making any decisions on hiring or crossing them off your list.

MAKE A LIST OF QUESTIONS TO ASK

After scheduling a meeting, make a list of questions you want to know from your photographer. Do your research on what you should know or ask. Just like the saying “There’s never a bad question”, If it’s something you are curious about, ask it. Check out my 5 Questions to ask your Wedding Photographer for more must ask questions.

BOOK AN ENGAGEMENT OR FAMILY SESSION FIRST

Maybe you are having a hard time relying on other peoples recommendations and reviews to take that next step in booking your photographer. In some ways the commitment of booking a wedding photographer is a marriage in its own. I feel it is one of the most important choices and biggest investments you will make for your wedding day, and I’m not just saying that because I am a photographer. This will be the one investment that will be priceless and only gain value to you and your loved ones through time. You will be able to relive your wedding every time you look through your moments captured. With all that being said, if you feel like you need to see the photographer in action before you commit to signing a contract for your wedding, why not schedule a session before making that commitment? A family session, birthday party, or engagement shoot would be a great way to get to work with your potential wedding photographer, and feel fully confident moving forward.

If you have any questions on your specific day and timeline, I am an open book. Please feel free to message me anytime. And if you want to no more about my booking process or availability, I look forward to hearing from you.