There are a lot of things to consider when hiring a wedding photographer. You will want to review their portfolio and website, as well as speak with them through email or the phone.

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This will help you narrow down your options and find someone who jives with your style and vibe.

1. Look at Their Portfolio

As you begin the process of finding a photographer, start by looking at their portfolio. You want to make sure that their style and aesthetic jives with yours. Typically, a photographer will email you a full collection of wedding photos from start to finish to showcase their work. Ideally, this will include candids, detail shots, formals and night photography.

Also ask if they have shot at your venue before. This will help you gauge their knowledge of the location and whether they can capture beautiful photos in different lighting conditions.

If the portfolio catches your eye, reach out to them and see if they’re available on your wedding date and within your budget. They will likely set up a phone, zoom or in-person consultation with you to discuss the details of your day and get to know you! You’ll be spending a lot of time with your photographer, so it’s important to find someone who you connect with.

2. Ask for Referrals

Figuring out how to hire your wedding photographer is usually done fairly early in the planning process, as it is one of the bigger tasks (especially if you want engagement photos or other sessions) and many photographers book out pretty quickly (there are only so many weekends in wedding season). If you are really interested in a particular photographer and you don’t feel like they’re a good fit, they should be fine with pointing you in the direction of someone else who might work better for you.

It is also a great idea to ask if they have worked with any couples who are similar to you and what their experience was like working with them. This is especially important if you are choosing a more experienced photographer, as they may have protocols in place for when something goes wrong during your day (like an image being inexplicably wiped off a memory card or your cousin accidentally trips over their light stand at the dance). Having those safety nets in place will help ensure that nothing will go too crazy on your big day and that they can get the photos back to you!

3. Look at Their Pricing

It’s important to look at pricing and see what packages are offered. Keep in mind that a photographer’s prices can often indicate the type of professional they are. Low priced photographers may be at risk of bankruptcy, may not be properly set up as a business (taxes, insurance, etc), have less experience, and often don’t have backup equipment or quality gear.

Higher priced photographers typically have a better chance of booking their services, are well-set up as a business, offer more quality gear and backup equipment, provide a clearer client experience, and generally have more experience photographing weddings.

When you go through their website and look at the pricing, pay attention to what’s included and when you can expect to receive everything from a sneak peek within a few days, to prints within three months, to your album (up to a year). Be sure that they include all fees in their contract, as one couple recently ruined a photographer’s business by claiming she was holding their images hostage because they didn’t know about a $150 fee.

4. Schedule a Consultation

Once a couple finds a photographer whose style they love and the pricing is within their budget, it's time to schedule a consultation meeting. This is a great opportunity to talk about the wedding day timeline and share some of their favorite images with them.

During this meeting, couples can get a better sense of the photographer's personality and style. They should also be able to ask the photographer questions that will help them feel more comfortable and confident hiring them on their big day.

While most photographers will include a few of their best photos on their website, it's important to request that they provide you with full galleries from real weddings that they have shot from start to finish. This will allow you to see the quality of work they produce at a wedding and how consistent their work is. Then, you can determine if their style meshes well with your own. A good photographer will be able to capture MOMENTS that will make you cry for years to come.