How To Find A Wedding Photographer

Dec 28

Written By Jenna Brooke Clark [Optimize Your Being]

All the insight into finding the wedding photographer of your dreams!

Let’s face it! There are a lot of options out there when you begin your search for a wedding photographer. If you don’t already have a friend or relative who specializes in weddings, the search can be arduous.

Well, I’m here to soothe your soul. I’ve spent a lot of years of my life helping others search for their perfect photographer and wedding plan, on the occasion I get to be in the wedding instead of work it, and I’ve found a few guidelines that are helpful and make the experience joyful.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t stick with anything if it’s not fulfilling and I believe your wedding day should be just that! Joyous and fulfilling your wildest dreams.

This is why vision planning is so important for me with the couples I work with. If I get a fuller dream of your beautiful day, then I can easily capture what you have in mind. And make sure everything you want is on that shot list so we don’t forget anything!

So hear are my favorite guidelines that have helped me and so many other brides and friends choose their wedding photographer.

Guideline #1: Build A Beautiful Vision Of Your Day.

What type of colors do you see? What is the energy of the party? Is it an elegant dinner scene with quiet music? Or is it more loud, vibey, maybe even punk rock. Play around with this, have fun, and let your wildest creativity come through.

The more you know what YOUR vibe is the easier it is to find a wedding photographer that vibes with your vibe.

Guideline #2: Get on Instagram!

There are a ton of wedding photographers who use Instagram as a portfolio. You can see their style, colors, framing, etc. If you want sexy, up close and personal photographs, make sure you see those on their page. If you want more documentary style photography for your wedding day, search a few accounts until you find what you’re looking for. Look up hashtags like, wedding photography or unique wedding photography or even “Austin” based wedding photographer. Exchange your city with whatever city you are in and voila!

If anything, you will get tons of inspiration on your style and the right one will pop up when you’re ready.

Other good search engines are google past the first page and pinterest!

Guideline #3: Talk To Your Photographer!

Once you like what you see, reach out! See if the good vibes continue as you ask questions and tell the photographer how much you love their works of art. We LOVE to hear it. Even if you don’t choose them, your photographer is a person, with a husband, wife, dog, child, family, who adores weddings, couples, young/ new/ old love. We are doing this because we are passionate about people. You are our people the moment we start working together to create your epic vision. Plus, The more you get to know your photographer the better your photos will turn out. Promise.

Guideline #4: Have a Budget

Wedding photography packages can range anywhere from 2k to 10k depending on the quality, time, guest list, and extras that your photographer brings to your day. For example, travel, accommodations, second shooters, props, back drops, prints and luxury wedding albums.

I always stress to my clients something my mentor told me; these photos are not only for you to remember your day but for your grandchildren to see and cherish. Allowing you to pass down memories that won’t be forgotten. These are for your daughters and sons to see, so you can mirror to them the love between two souls that they get to experience as well. It’s a vision of hope for the future.

Guideline #5: Follow Your Heart!

A lot of brides stress about their day before it has even come. It shows you care, a lot, about something special! A union of love and commitment. It deserves a little stress! But when it comes to choosing your wedding photographer, your colors, your bridesmaids, your dress… your heart always has the answer.

Make it fun, allow your curiosity and creativity to bubble up to the surface. Get playful with it and find your PERFECT fit. They are out there. Just get really clear about what you want/ like and the perfect person for you will pop up!

Oh, and FOLLOW YOUR GUT, if it doesn’t feel right, follow that and find someone right for YOU!

Let it be FUN.

I hope these guidelines have helped you take a little stress out of your wedding planning!

I’m for the movement of bringing more joy into your day, using your local small business and paying friends to bring the party together. I’m on the team of getting to know your vendors and becoming friends with the people who are there for you on your day! Planning doesn’t have to be stressful! There is always an answer around every corner or roadblock. Plus, most of the time the solution is better than the original idea!