Trying to figure out how to choose a wedding photographer, especially in a big city like Seattle, can seem like an overwhelming task. These days we have access to so much information coming from so many different places! And while it is a great thing to have so many choices, the flip side is that it can make sorting through everything feel impossible. Often, by the time a bride is getting in touch with me, she is feeling stressed out and unsure of how to prioritize her needs. So…. start by focusing on a few important things and narrow down your list that way.

A few things that drive the cost of wedding photography:

1. Location: Cost of living where you are getting married will likely play a big role in how much wedding photographers charge there.
2. Experience: A photographer with a great deal of experience will charge more than one who is just starting out. Does this mean that you shouldn’t hire a photographer who has fewer weddings under their belt? Not necessarily. But do your homework and be sure to look through plenty of galleries of real events and weddings they have photographed.
3. Gear and Insurance: Wedding photography requires high quality equipment. You will want to hire a professional with at least 2 camera bodies, a range of lenses, on camera flash, off camera flash, extra batteries, and additional memory cards. A wedding photographer should also have insurance that covers themselves, any associates and second shooters, and equipment.
4. Time: Weddings require an entire day out of a photographer’s time. And that’s just for the event! Don’t forget the time they spent on responding to an inquiry, consultation, timeline planning, travel, sorting through hundreds of images, and hours of editing work for your final gallery.
5. Service: The quality of service that a photographer is able to provide is just as important as the images. You will want a professional who is just that: a professional. It’s important that you are able to enjoy your wedding day with the knowledge that your photographer will be able to handle their job and any challenges, work with others, communicate with you and other vendors, and deliver what they have promised.

And with that, let’s dive into some easy steps!

1. Set a REALISTIC budget

First things first – You need to set an overall wedding budget. Weddings are expensive, especially in a city like Seattle, and you need to decide what your are comfortable spending. Do a little research for everything you would like to include in your special day, and then come up with a realistic total. It’s okay to have a bit of a range. But, don’t settle on a high number that is out of budget!

2. Prioritize every element of your wedding

Once you have a list of everything you are hoping to include in your wedding, make a priority list. Start with the most important pieces and end on the least important to you. That way, you can see where photography falls on your list. If it’s at the top, then you can work on cutting corners elsewhere in order to budget for your dream photography. If wedding images are lower on your list, you will still want to be sure you do your research. For example: Choosing a less expensive photographer just starting out is okay, but make sure you read reviews and look through REAL weddings and events they have photographed!

3. Define your style

What do you hope to see in your final wedding gallery? Before you can choose the right photographer, this is a question you will want to answer. Do you love light and airy, dark and moody, warmer tones, cooler edits, candid photos, posed images, more traditional, high fashion and editorial, etc? Take a look online at the many different looks that different wedding photographers can offer.

4. Make an inquiry list

Now that you know your style, start looking for some photographers that match it. Stick to a budget range and begin to narrow things down a little. Don’t make your list so long that you can’t follow through with each one. A few things to look for:

1. What is the overall style?
2. How consistent does their work look?
3. What types of packages do they offer?
4. Do they communicate their wedding photography approach and philosophy?

5. Inquire and have a conversation

Send off a few inquiries and plan to speak with photographers who get back to you in a timely manner. It isn’t necessary to reach out to every photographer you like. Start with just a few and go from there.

Some important things to pay attention to and things to ask:

1. Does the photography get back to you relatively quickly? You want a professional who is great at communicating and won’t leave you hanging.
2. What is their approach to wedding photography? Do they like every shot posed, do they just let the day unfold and capture things as they happen, or do they fall somewhere in the middle? Are they more assertive or do they like to blend in?
3. How do they help execute the wedding day timeline? You will want someone on your team who will help keep things running smoothly.
4. Are they open, up front, and communicate well? Both you and your other vendors will appreciate a photographer who is easy to work with and can communicate in a professional and respectful way.
5. What exactly is included in a package? Be sure to ask about how many hours are covered, if travel is included, will there be a sneak peek gallery delivered shortly after the wedding, is an engagement session included, can you download all of your images, and is booking a second photographer an option.
6. How does the photographer go about editing photos? Not only will you want to know how long it takes to get a gallery back, you will want to know how they go about it. Some photographers will very quickly batch edit all the photos. Others will spend more time on photos individually. Be sure to ask how they make sure every image in your gallery is up to standard and the gallery is cohesive from start to finish.

6. Getting back to photographers with your choice

What to do if you choose not to move forward

If you find that a photographer you speak with isn’t right for your wedding, that’s okay. We are professionals and understand that your vision may not line up with what we have to offer. Out of consideration, make sure you reach out with a quick note to let them know of your decision. Something as simple as this works well: “Thank you for your time. We have decided to move forward with another photographer for our wedding. We enjoyed speaking with you.”

What to do if you want to move forward

When you find the photography that meets your needs, get them fully booked as soon as possible. Wedding vendors have calendars that book out very early so you won’t want to wait too long. And remember that a consultation does not mean that you have your date reserved! I always let a couple know if someone else inquires about the same date, but that isn’t the policy everywhere. It should also be noted that a wedding date is not considered booked until a deposit is paid and the contract has been signed. So be sure to do that as soon as you can.

7. And finally: Book an engagement session!

I really love engagement sessions because they are the best way to get to know each other and sneak in some wedding day practice. You will also feel much more relaxed and confident in your choice of photographer after spending a little time together. And you and your fiance will feel more at ease about wedding pictures. Most couples express concern over not knowing what to do in front of the camera. An engagement sessions allows me to help you calm those nerves.

Wishing you the wedding photos of your dreams

Going through an organized search process is both helpful for you and photographers! My hope for every couple is that they end up with wedding photos that they love looking back on for the rest of their lives. Photographers aren’t a one size fits all vendor. A great inquiry process leads to a perfect match for both you AND the photographer that you choose in the end.

If you are curious about what I offer, check out my Weddings information page. I like to list exactly what I offer, how I go about my work, and how clients can get in touch. I love hearing from couples in the PNW who are excited to be planning their weddings and looking for a photographer who shares their vision.

Thanks for reading!

XO, Janelle