“Photojournalistic”, “Fine Art”, “Traditional", “Dark and Moody” - the labels fly across the wedding blogs, heads nod knowingly, eyebrows raise. I’m sure you have your favorite. We all do. But there’s more to your choice of photographer than aesthetics.
Imagine this. Your wedding day has arrived, but your photographer has not. In addition to the multitude of other details to chase down, you now have another. Or when you drop subtle hints to your photographer that you would like an adjustment in schedule only to find they are ignored or misunderstood. To avoid unnecessary friction on your wedding day, you will want to get to know your photographer well ahead of time.
Some questions you want to ask yourself as you interview photographers for your big day:
Is the photographer easy to communicate with?
What is the photographer’s personality?
Does the photographer share your values?
During the consultation you should get a feel for the communication style of a photographer. Is the photographer talking past you? Do you feel you can understand the aesthetic and business concepts the photographer is relating? Finding common ground is crucial for not only you gaining a clear grasp of the photographer’s intentions but also for being able to relate your desires clearly.
Much of the ease of communication is dependent on personality compatibility with your photographer. Keep in mind that both you and your spouse should feel comfortable with your photographer. You will be spending quite a bit of time during some of the most important hours of your life - you want to be very comfortable with the person taking your photos.
There are a variety of techniques a photographer may use to capture those perfect photos of your special day. Some photographers have the ability to work behind the scenes and capture those magical moments as they happen. Others have a more “take-charge” approach, controlling each pose meticulously. You may want to envision the level of interaction with your photographer that you would like and ask questions accordingly at your consultation.
Remember, your photographer will spend more time with you at your wedding than almost anyone else. Make sure you request an in-person consultation and walk into the consultation with the three questions above clearly fixed in your mind. You won’t regret it!