Choosing just one photographer to capture your precious moments can be tricky business. The photographer is an integral part of your life at that one moment (hopefully more) in time, and you need to be sure you get along with them! There are numerous styles of photography, and choosing the style and photographer that best works with you, and your family is the most important thing. So where should you start?

1. Define you, and what you’re looking for

You need someone that can capture exactly what you’re looking for. But that sounds simple right? Wrong. You have to know who YOU are, and what YOU want before you even bother contacting a photographer because how do you know if their style will match yours if you don’t even know your own style! (It sounds funny, but it’s completely true). If you’re a super organized person, do you want an unorganized person photographing you? Probably not. So definitely something to keep in mind!

2. Once you know who YOU are, and what YOU want, start searching for photographers

I know this is completely easier said than done, but you need to start somewhere. I always tell my clients to check out Pinterest first. Go to the Photography boards and look around so you can see what current photographers are doing now. Not only will this expose your clients to other photographers, but other ideas for what poses, outfits, styles, location, etc they want. The worst thing is having a client that has no clue what they want. *Keep in mind that you exposing clients to other photographers shows that you’re confident in your own work*

3. Meeting potential photographers in person

No one should EVER contract a photographer without meeting them first. How else do you know if you mesh well together. You want someone to understand who YOU are, and what better way to do that than in person? Go to a local coffee shop, take a list of questions with you (stay tuned on the blog for a list coming your way soon!), have inspiration photos with you, and just chat. You never know who your next friend could be.

4. Keep an eye out for experience and style

You want a photographer that not only represents you, but carries themselves well. No one wants a photographer walking into a wedding wearing sweats! (Hence why meeting them first helps). You also want a photographer that will get your images back in a timely fashion. There’s no sense waiting two months for ten photos.

5. Back-up Plan

This pertains to my lovely ladies getting married: make sure your photographer has a back-up plan. What happens if they get sick on your wedding day? What happens if they get stuck at the airport, etc?

6. Get everything in writing

The best photographers have contracts. This especially applies to Wedding photographers. You need a contract stating how much you’re being charged, hours of operation, dress, turn around time for your images, location, etc. (Stay tuned for a post about contracts coming soon!).

I hope this helps not only future clients, but also photographers. It’s hard to see things from both sides of the camera. Clients: never EVER hesitate to ask your photographer about anything. If there’s a certain pose you want that they didn’t do, politely ask them to incorporate it for you. After all, they’re there to represent YOU!