There’s no doubt about it, hiring your wedding vendors is a huge decision. And it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the questions you know you should ask a potential vendor.
It’s important to find someone that jives with you and your fiance. That’s why it’s so valuable to meet in person or schedule a Zoom call.
1. Look at Their Portfolio
If you want to hire a wedding photographer in Apulia one of the first things you should do is check out their portfolio. This will give you a sense of their style and the quality of their work.
When reviewing a photographer's portfolio, look for a variety of images that show their skill and creativity. Specifically, pay attention to the editing styles that they use. Do these styles match your taste?
It's also important to look for images of different situations. For example, if your wedding will be taking place outdoors at night, make sure that the photographer has experience shooting in dark lighting.
You should also ask the photographer to send you a link to full galleries of weddings that they have shot. This will allow you to see how they handle the entire event from start to finish. This will help you to determine whether their style is a good fit for your wedding day.
2. Check Their Pricing
There's so much work that goes into being a wedding photographer. On the surface it may look like they just take photos, but that's far from the truth.
Photographers need to factor in time for a number of things like editing, scouting locations, answering emails, social media outreach, and more. All of that adds up to a lot of hours and can quickly push prices upwards.
Then there are the other costs that might come up, like travel time. If you're getting married outside of the city, it's not uncommon for photographers to charge extra for travel expenses. Make sure you ask about all of these additional fees so you don't get stung by anything hidden later on. A good photographer will be transparent with their pricing and outline all of the add-ons that come with their packages.
3. Ask for References
Most wedding vendors will be more than happy to provide you with references from past clients. This is a great opportunity to speak with a couple about their experience working with the photographer, as well as learn if they had any issues or problems that may be important for you to know.
Ask them how long they have been in business and how many weddings they've shot in their career. It is always preferable to work with a seasoned professional rather than someone just getting started.
It is also a good idea to ask about their backup plans. This includes if they have an assistant or second shooter, what happens if they get sick on your day, and how long it will take to receive digital files, prints, and/or the album. If they don't have any backup plans, it may be a sign that they are not a seasoned professional. This can be a huge problem when something goes wrong on your big day!
4. Look at Their Reviews
If you've had a positive experience with a photographer and feel comfortable doing so, leave them a review. This is a huge help for other couples who may be considering them as their wedding photographer.
Not all photographers will have reviews but a few can be found on Google, Facebook and other sites that showcase reviews. Often times when you check their reviews, you will see that past brides and grooms have left glowing comments.
Determan recommends hiring a wedding photographer that you vibe with and who is a good fit for your personality. They will be with you all day and “wear many hats” (keep you on time, make sure your hair and veil look perfect, guide you in movement during portraits, etc) so you want to make sure that the two of you are compatible. A good photographer will also be able to communicate effectively and work well with others, which is important for the success of your wedding.
