Now that we just had Thanksgiving, we are going to start seeing a lot of engagements this holiday season! November through February is statistically when most couples get engaged with December being the #1 month couples get engaged. Soon after you say “yes!” questions like “did you choose a date” and “did you find your dress” will frequently be asked. There will be so many decisions surrounding your wedding. One of THE biggest wedding decisions you’ll make is choosing your wedding photographer. Why? Choosing your wedding photographer goes far beyond just finding someone who takes beautiful images.

Wedding photographers help your overall wedding experience from the very beginning. From the initial communication, to helping you plan your wedding day timeline and educating you for the best wedding day experience possible, to handling stressful wedding day situations, your wedding photographer will be doing a lot more than just taking photos. I believe that your wedding photographer plays a significant role ensuring your wedding day is stress-free and the most joyous day ever. How do you find a photographer that is a perfect fit for you? Keep these few things in mind when searching for your wedding photographer.

Budget. Planning a wedding can add up quickly. One of the most obvious factors in choosing your wedding photographer is budget. You want to make sure you have allocated a reasonable budget for your wedding photographer. I personally budgeted most of my wedding budget for my photographer and cupcakes (because why not). Your wedding photographer is capturing your once in a lifetime day. Don’t you want to look back on your wedding images years from now and relive your memories over and over again? I guarantee that you won’t regret having beautiful portraits from your wedding day.

Consistency. What type of photographer are you looking for? Do you like light and airy or dark and moody? Does the photographers images make you feel like the people in the images are living in a fairy tale love story? Do their images give you all the emotions and they aren’t even images of you? Do you dream to have that photographer photograph you on your wedding day? Once you find a photographer whose images gives you all the feels,  you want to make sure that their images are consistent. It’s easy to photograph weddings on beautiful sunny days but what happens when it’s cloudy and it starts to rain? You want to make sure your wedding photographer can handle any lighting situation thrown their way.

Communication. I believe that communication is key to a successful marriage, friendship, work and life. The same goes for your wedding photographer. How long did it take for your photographer to respond to your inquiry? Was it one day or one week? Two weeks? You can’t expect your wedding photographer to immediately communicate with you but making sure a reasonable response time is established is important. Communication is a huge part in the overall wedding experience. It helps build trust. If your photographer takes 2 weeks to respond to you, you may begin to feel like they don’t value you. Communication is key.

Connection. Choosing your wedding photographer based off budget and style are pretty obvious but what about the way they make you feel? Do you have a good connection with them? I feel that people underestimate how much time they will be spending with your photographer. Your wedding photographer will be with you through your wedding journey, helping you plan, photographing your engagement session, and helping you on your wedding day. They will be by your side throughout the process and will be with you for 8+ hours on your wedding day. Does your photographer seem like someone you want to hang out with? If you are unable to get a sense of this from their website or Instagram, set up a time to FaceTime or meet for coffee. You’ll know pretty quickly!

Details. Once you’ve found a photographer that checks those 4 boxes, then it’s time to get the details. You’ll want to make sure that you’re on the same page as your wedding photographer. Make sure you know the image turn around time, how your images will be delivered, who the second shooter will be, any extra fees, and the payment schedule. These things are all very important. Click the link here to view some of my FAQ‘s. You’ll want to make sure that these details are set in stone so that you are not unpleasantly surprised down the road.

If you are searching for your wedding photographer, I hope you find these tips helpful! You can even apply this advice when choosing your videographer and wedding planner!

Here are some more tips for brides that you may find helpful!

7 Commonly Asked Wedding Questions
Sample Wedding Timeline
What Time Should Your Wedding Begin?
5 Ways to Destress During Wedding Week
Should you have a First Look?

Sarah Botta is a Northern Virginia based wedding photographer whose work can be described as organic, natural, and timeless. Sarah specializes in capturing people’s stories and building connections with each client to help tell their story. Sarah has photographed over 30 weddings across Virginia and Maryland from rustic outdoor ceremonies to elaborate estate mansion receptions. Her natural timeless style shines brightest with outdoor locations. Sarah is available for travel and is passport ready.