3 Tips on How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer

So you are planning your wedding (yay!) and one of the main questions you’re asking yourself is: How do I go about choosing a San Francisco wedding photographer? Finding a good photographer can be a difficult decision when there are so many beautiful photos on each photographer’s portfolio and social media pages. 

When choosing a wedding photographer, it is important to not only consider the photos but also to get a sense of what your actual experience will be because ultimately, getting your photographs taken can be a vulnerable experience and you want to make sure you feel comfortable and blissful for the special moments in your lives. 

Below are 3 tips on how to find a wedding photographer that is the best match for you:

Tip 1: Choose a photographer you feel comfortable and get along with. 

When you are being photographed, you may naturally feel a little nervous and awkward at first, especially if you are not used to getting your photos taken. Because of this, it is especially important to choose a wedding photographer who you can trust and feel comfortable with, and vice versa. Before booking any photographer, make sure to chat with them beforehand to get a sense of their personality — it will also be a great opportunity to go over any questions you may have. Do they seem interested in your love story and your unique relationship? Does the conversation flow nicely and your wavelengths match?

If the initial conversation feels good, you can also schedule a test run such as an engagement session before booking a wedding session so that you may experience what it’s like being photographed by that photographer and anticipate how the process will look like for your wedding day (a bonus is that you can also get some photos for your “Save the Date” invitations!).

Tip 2: Determine what type of photography style you’re looking for.

Before choosing your wedding photographer, take a look through existing wedding photos and get a sense of what you like versus what you don’t like. For example, perhaps you are someone who is drawn to natural and candid moments over posed and highly retouched photos, so you should find a photographer who aligns with you and has a more photojournalistic style. If you are having trouble determining what you like, first define what you absolutely do not like and narrow your scope from there. Looking through a photographer’s website and social media accounts will also give you a better sense of that photographer’s style — if you are drawn to many of their photos, that is a good sign that you may have found a wedding photographer that’s right for you.

Tip 3: Read past client reviews on your top photographer choices. 

Reading reviews from past clients will give you a better sense of what the process was like from start-to-finish from clients who already booked a wedding photographer you are interested in booking. You can search specific keywords for any concerns or areas of interest and this can also be a good base for any questions you may have for your photographer. Some helpful questions to ask include:

• Do you help with guiding poses?
• What is the turnaround time for a wedding gallery?
• What is your personal style when it comes to wedding photography?

Finding the wedding photographer that is the best match for you may take some time so remember to relax, take your time, and most of all, follow your intuition. After all, these photos will last you a lifetime. 

Interested in chatting more and seeing if we are a good fit for your wedding? Feel free to learn more about my packages and get in touch with me through my contact page!