Wedding Photography is a big investment! It should be! At the end of the day, this is what is left to help you remember all of the details and moments. I have 3 ideas on how you can make the most of that investment.

Hire a Photographer With Experience

A new photographer might be less expensive and they are easy to come by, but the most important thing a photographer brings to the table, next to their talent, is their experience. An experienced photographer will know how to handle any situation because there are very few things they haven’t seen.

Is the make-up artist running behind? An experienced photographer will have the knowledge to jump that hurdle with ease. And you will never know the difference. They know how to pivot the day a bit so the bride will never feel the stress.

Is the family not gathering for family pictures? An experienced photographer, first, will have a plan, before your wedding, to help to prevent this scenario from the beginning.

Are 18 of the 20-person bridal party over-served before pictures? Don’t you worry! Those pictures are getting done!

Is it raining on your perfect day? An experienced photographer knows how to deal with any lighting or weather condition to get your perfect pictures.

Another thing that I get asked a lot…an experienced photographer DOES NOT need to have shot at your wedding venue before.  In fact, an experienced photographer feels more creativity with a new environment.  They know where to look to research your venue and they understand light and composition to give you the images that you have dreamed of.

How do you decide on the perfect photographer for you? While balancing style and experience? Here are a few ideas:

Decide on your style of photography that you would like for your wedding.

Find a personality that you like and trust.  Look at the About Me section on their website, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, and look up reviews.

Ask questions to find out their experience AND confidence.  How long have they been doing weddings, how many weddings have they photographed?  Do you get a feeling of confidence from them?

Do they fit in your budget?  Are they worth stretching your budget?  Remember that after all the dancing, drinking, and food are gone, your wedding pictures will be how you remember your day.

Do An Engagement Session With YOUR Photographer

This is a very important time to get to know each other and to understand your photographer’s shooting style so that your wedding day goes easily and smoothly.  There is nothing worse than a complete stranger showing up on the most important day of your life.  You spend A LOT of time with your photographer on your wedding day, an engagement session helps you feel like a friend is showing up to your wedding.

Plan Out Your Day With Your Photographer

Ask your photographer for their ideas on your timeline.  They will know sunset times and different ways that you can organize your day to maximize the time you have for pictures. They should have ideas on what to do to get beautiful getting ready pictures. Or can give you the pros and cons of a First Look or First Touch or whatever you would like to do on your wedding day and the timelines that go with each of those options.

If you have a wedding planner, your photographer should work with him or her to plan the timeline for the day. Most often, the planner has a really good idea of how to plan the day with the photographer in mind, but they should always communicate with each other to plan your perfect day. This is another reason that having an experienced photographer is so important, they know how to communicate with other wedding vendors in a professional way, so everyone gets what they need.

I hope this was helpful! Please feel free to contact me with any other questions about choosing a photographer, planning the perfect wedding day timeline, or anything. This is my passion! I love creating memories that your will cherish for a lifetime!