8 tips on choosing the photographer for your wedding.
Is this your first time getting married? Naturally, you can't have much experience of wedding photography. Searching online, you have a good chance of finding the best photographer for your wedding
You need an expert!
Couples who don't attach much importance to their wedding album usually send out a request for a quote and choose the photographer on price alone, going for the most competitive.
Free extras? At what price?
“That photographer is giving me more gadgets, more prints or more services for less”, without considering the quality of the photos, which are the true soul of the wedding. You feel you are saving money, only to end up paying too much for a poor service.
So how do you choose?
People usually choose among local photographers, but it is worth looking further afield too. Look at the photos you like most, set them aside and then compare them all. Keep only the ones that truly move you.
Judging a photo on its beauty alone is superficial. A good way to evaluate is to look at a whole wedding, from the preparations right through to the cake. Seeing the entire gallery of an event gives you an overall sense of the quality of the wedding album.
Who claims to be the best wedding photographer?
Becoming a good wedding photographer takes time, experience, study and artistic sensitivity. Talent, passion and dedication lead to skill and experience.
The key qualities of a professional photographer, the ones that guarantee you are making an excellent choice, are Reliability and Creativity.
Planning a wedding isn't easy: there are so many things to think about, and choosing the photographer takes a little time, but it is far from impossible. A few simple precautions can only make the choice easier.
Don't choose the first photographer who is recommended to you. Some might say “We're all photographers”, but that's not quite the case.
Here are 8 tips on how to choose your wedding photographer:
- Your wedding day is a unique event, with a precise timeline to respect. Religious or civil, each with its own rite, everything must be looked after so it goes perfectly. Entrusting an amateur or hobbyist with the visual reportage of your unique, unrepeatable day means missing important photos. A professional photographer knows the timings of both the ceremony and the celebration. Choose a professional photographer with many years of experience.
- Before choosing a photographer, look carefully at their photographs, again and again. The photos that move you are the ones that reflect the style you love.
- Don't choose a photographer just because they have many years of experience. Experience certainly matters, but keeping up with technological progress is an essential requirement in a photographer's profession. You can also recognize a professional by their ability to adapt to technological change. Don't trust those who are uncomfortable with technology. The darkroom is very romantic, but today we work in a completely different way, in the digital lightroom.
- It isn't the camera that takes the photos, it's the photographer. It's like saying that because I can write, I'm a poet. The technological advantage of digital has sped up the process, and many people have improvised themselves as photographers. Avoid those who are simply making it up as they go.
- You can also judge a photographer's quality by the photo album. When you see an overly elaborate wedding album, with excessive decorative elements, it is probably because the photos are lacking and the aim is to dazzle the viewer. Simplicity enhances quality photographs. Read the article on wedding albums
- Not just photography but Video too. A professional wedding photography studio has a team of coordinated people. It is essential to provide couples with a high-quality video of their wedding. It's the film you will show others and that represents your wedding. A video should delight you every time you watch it. A studio that offers this service is a studio of professionals.
- Reportage, yes or no? Wedding photography must follow every stage of the day; being discreet and not interfering with the event is vital. Showing consideration for the couple's family and friends is fundamental for a wedding photographer. Planning the wedding is key to a successful shoot.
- You can recognize a professional photographer by their command of technique and how they manage time during a wedding. Professionals from the fashion world, used to tight timelines, are good at delivering images under time pressure.
You can ask a photographer a thousand questions. Do you shoot posed photos or reportage? The photos will certainly answer your questions.
Saving money is important, but having no regrets after the wedding is even more important. On that note, read the article on the cost of a wedding photographer
Would you like more information for your wedding?
Contact My Happy Wedding, photographing weddings throughout Italy, mainly in Tuscany and on the Amalfi Coast. For couples, being able to rely on a professional matters.
A natural question: who is My Happy Wedding? Find out by clicking here
Live outside the area but interested in My Happy Wedding's services?
No problem, distance is never an issue: it just takes a little organization to be on time.
To review photos or videos remotely, we can share screens. We never print your album before we have reviewed it together.
Book your wedding photography, because it is the only way to have beautiful wedding photographs.
Would you like a free quote from My Happy Wedding for your wedding?
Click to find out more
Frequently asked questions
What should you look at before choosing a wedding photographer?
Look at complete weddings, not just the best shots: that way you understand the style, the continuity of the story and how the photographer handles difficult light.
Reportage-style photographer or posed photos?
It's up to you: reportage tells the story of the day spontaneously, while poses give more constructed images. Many photographers, like My Happy Wedding, combine reportage with a short guided portrait session.
How far in advance should you book the photographer?
As soon as you have a date and venue: Saturdays from May to September are the first to fill up.
