Tips

Kori Biller, a spectacular wedding photographer and owner of Motley Mélange, is guest blogging to dish out awesome tips on finding the perfect wedding photographer! With so many options out there, her tips on style, budget, personality, and more will certainly guide you in the right direction!
For more info on Kori and Motley Mélange, take a look at her website, blog, and Facebook page. Or, just email her directly!

Choosing a Photographer

This is your big day and it only comes around once in a lifetime!  Choosing someone to entrust your most important memories to can be a daunting task.  Combine that stress with the sheer number of photographers out there and you might find yourself getting overwhelmed really quickly!  Never fear, your 6 point checklist is here!

Style:  First things first, let's find a photographer who's style complements your personal taste.  If you love the look of candid, free flowing and natural expressions then that's what you need to search for!  The body language, posing and expressions of the clients in their photos is a great way get a feel for how the photographer can (or can't) make the client feel comfortable.  One of the big things to remember is that every photographer has a specific style for capturing images as well as editing them.  If you love high contrast black and white images, make sure to find someone who shows those types of images in their portfolio.  Many couples make the mistake of hiring a photographer, then find themselves asking for their images to be edited in a different editing style.  Avoid the hassle and seek out a company that already has images you adore showcased on their website.  

 

Portfolio Consistency:  One of the major points that separates an experienced photographer from a newer one is portfolio consistency.  It takes time to be able to develop a consistent set of images both from an editing and composition standpoint.  When you are surfing through sites, keep in mind that anyone can get lucky with one really awesome shot, but a professional can deliver that same high quality image on a consistent basis so judge a portfolio by the images you see on the screen.  If you love the majority of them, give them a shout!  But if you find yourself only wooing over a select few, then perhaps you should continue your search until you find someone who's showing off more of the types of photos you love!

Personality:  So you've found someone who's style you dig and you've seen a good number of images that you love on their website.  Now it's time to meet the remaining contestants and see who's super cool (and who drools!)  You'll be working with this person for many many months to come and it's really important that you jive with their personality.  After all, if you don't care for the person behind the camera, it will show on your face and--i know it's hard to believe but--natural smiles and laughter are WAY more flattering than forced ones! Finding someone with whom you and your significant other feel comfortable with from the beginning is key!

Referrals/Reviews:  Testimonials are a really great resource if you weren't forwarded to your current search by word of mouth.  Many reviews will explain how the photographer went out of his or her way to help with a problem or alleviate some kind of stress the client was experiencing.  These are all really good signs of a company's integrity and work ethic!  Checking out the company reviews on sites like Wedding Wire, The Knot and other wedding resource sites is great way to get other people's insight on their personal experiences with the vendor.  This is also a great reason to make sure you review your wedding vendors once your day is over!  There are thousands of other brides out there in the same boat as you and who would LOVE to hear your feedback on who you chose to be part of your big day!

Package Options:  You've found a fabulously talented 5-star rated artist who shares your crazy personality, but they don't offer the types of albums you have been dreaming about.  Bummer!  Before you book, make sure your vendor of choice has plenty of options in their packages that you crave!  If you're a DIY bride and would rather have a disc of images in lieu of a fancy wedding album, make sure that's an option for you.  If you know your family will love an online ordering option, make sure that's part of the deal as well.  Don't be scared to ask many many questions in your consultation.  This is more than likely your first time planning a wedding and it's perfectly okay to feel lost!  Ask as many questions as you can; that's what your meeting is all about!  

 

Budget:  I'm sure you're wondering why this is last on the list rather than first.  This is your wedding: your once in a lifetime fairy tale that's coming true!  You'll be spending quite a bit of money, but it's all going to be worth it!  On your 20th anniversary, what are you going to pull out to remember your fabulous day?  Your table linens?  Your left over guest favors?  What about your invitations?  More than likely you'll reach for one thing: your wedding photos.  That's because your photos are going to be the one thing you will treasure FOREVER!  That album is going to be the first thing on your "If the house was on fire and you could only save 3 things" list!  Your photography budget is the last thing you should tighten the reins on!  Think about how you would feel if you lost all of your wedding photos?  How much would you spend to get them back?  Unfortunately, many brides learn this lesson the hard way.  Many vendors allow installment payments, so just ask!  You only get one shot to get the most beautiful memories possible, so make sure to allow yourself some budgetary leeway and worry about cutting costs elsewhere.