A wedding is a lifetime event. It's where couples celebrate one of the most important days in their relationship. It's also a day of celebration where friends and families gather around to celebrate the union and vow of two people in the world. With the wedding season coming soon, how do you differentiate a good and a bad wedding photographer? What are some of the pointers to look out for?
A wedding photographer's job is not an easy one. There are no rehearsal or second chances. Everything is live. When a wedding photographer missed that precious window (sometimes within seconds), that moment is lost forever. Hence it is no doubt that the wedding photography genre is probably one of the toughest in the photography industry.
It takes years of experience to develop the sort of creativity a photographer is well known for. Hence, these are some of the pointers to look out for in order to judge if the wedding photographer is suitable for you.
#1 – Experience Matters
A photographer who has been in the industry long enough usually delivers stunning results. The years and hours behind the camera usually mean new composition and techniques that can deliver impressive photos. The three most important elements in any wedding photography, namely creativity, courage, and vision take long hours of practice to develop. It is not a skill that can be taught in schools.
Hence, a good comparison between wedding photographers, aside from the impressive portfolio is the years of experience behind the camera.
#2 – Style
There is no right or wrong style when it comes to wedding photography.
Ultimately, it depends on your photo preference and the theme you set. Great wedding photographers often develop their own styles through their own unique photo-taking methodology. So when it comes to choosing a wedding photographer, discuss with your partner and decide on the style you like.
Once you've decided on the style, the next would be to shortlist from the list of photographers you have. Check out their portfolio. Is this something that resembles the style that you have in mind? Every photographer's style is unique and is usually hard to replicate.
#3- People
Sometimes the context of photography means a photographer and a camera. In reality, people skills matter. The difference in making a person smile or laugh is enough to distinguish between a good and a bad photo. It takes split seconds for viewers to decide on the outcome but such skills can take years to develop.
When looking for a wedding photographer, be sure to check if the photographer is someone you're comfortable working with. Is the photographer a people person? Does he get comfortable with strangers? A Yes and a No in this section is enough for you to judge and distinguish between a great and an average wedding photographer.
#4 – Preparation & Backup
Equipment does fail. The differentiation factor would be how wedding photographers react. When it comes to deciding between a great and an average photographer, ask about their backup plan. What happens when the card fails? Are there additional batteries? What about a secondary photographer?
As a paying client, these questions shouldn't be asked but it wouldn't hurt to understand more about the backup plan the photographer has. Based on his answer given, you should be able to differentiate between the few wedding photographers you have shortlisted.
Conclusion
Planning for a wedding is a tough task. Having a great wedding photographer helps to alleviate some of the stress as you can now be assured you're in great hands.