How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer
Weddings and Pittsburgh PA Photographers, does it get any better than that? Choosing a photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make when it comes to wedding planning. After All, when all is said and done, the only things that will last of the day are your memories and the photos unlike the flowers or catering. It is vital that you choose a wedding photographer that meshes with your style, taste and personality. You will likely spend the entire day with the professional photographer that you choose so it is important to get it right. Below, we have listed some of our top tips to consider when looking to hire a wedding photographer.
Finding Wedding Photography Near You
Ask around for recommendations
Photographers rely on word of mouth as one of their most reliable ways to market and book clients. Ask your family and/or friends in the area who photographed their wedding and if they would recommend them. Do you have a friend who got married and you can’t stop gushing over the photos captured? Don’t be afraid to ask for her photographers contact information!
Social Media
While social media stalking can often be a no-no in many situations, for finding your perfect wedding photographer you just may want to. Scan the feeds of your favorite wedding magazines or blogs, search through tags of weddings at your chosen venue. The more social media digging you do, the more you will likely curate a vision for your own day and you just may find the perfect photographer to capture it. One word of caution though, focus on the style of the photos and not so much the people in them. It is important to realize that even if you book the same photographer as your favorite shots in a magazine, they will not be exactly the same as each wedding and couple are different. Don’t get caught in the comparison game!
Determine your style
Do you like candid, documentary style shots or do you prefer the more classic staged and poised look? Get a clear cut vision of the photos you want to remember your day. Peruse potential photographers portfolios to determine their style and see if it matches what you envision for your photos.
Know your venue
When looking at potential photographers, check out photos taken in a similar space to your venue. Are you getting married outdoors in a wide open space or will you be in a small quiet church? Find photos that have a similar background that showcase the photographer’s work in a similar setting.
Do your cost research
Booking a wedding photographer will be one of the priciest investments you will make in planning your wedding, rightfully so. Many photographers will post their starting package rates on their website but these numbers can vary greatly and there are many add-on expenses. When looking at a photographers portfolio, take notice of the kinds of weddings they are highlighting. Are they mostly at fancy estates or are they backyard barbeques? This will give you an implication of their fees. Fees will vary drastically from photographer to photographer and just because one is more expensive, it does not necessarily mean their work is better.
Get recommendations from other vendors
Did you already book your venue? Ask the manager who they recommend for a photographer. Often times, they will have seen many photographers in their space and will likely prefer some more than others. Other vendors are often a perfect place to go for recommendations as the wedding industry is tight-knit.
Make sure personalities match
So you found a Pittsburgh photographer with the style that speaks to you, but do you mesh with the photographer? You will likely be spending the entire day together and sharing some intimate moments with this person, make sure you are comfortable with them! When prospecting potential Pittsburgh wedding photographers, make a coffee date with each one and sit down and get to know them. More often than not, you will leave the meeting with a good feeling as to whether or not your personalities will match on your wedding day.
Plan Your Special Wedding Day the Right Way
We hope these tips will help relieve some of the pressure of choosing a wedding photographer. To find great reviews, check out this wedding photographer in Pittsburgh, PA – Yelp Page. Remember, it is your day and you are making one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in planning your wedding. We want you to look back at your pictures 50 years from now and still smile at the beautiful moments captured.