How to Find the Perfect Photographer for Your Wedding

You’re getting married and you need a photographer. These photos are going to last a lifetime and in twenty to thirty years from now, you’re going to want to look back on them and relive the memories. It’s not just about hiring a photographer, it’s about hiring the perfect wedding photographer for you. Planning a destination wedding can be a lot of work and very stressful, especially when you have to plan and ask questions through phone calls and emails. Your wedding photographer shouldn’t be an added source of stress. In fact, the ideal team should be able to help you and work with you, not against you. To make sure it’s a good match, see these tips below.

Tip 1: Thorough Research

You found a photographer that you really love on Instagram, that’s great! But as we all know, social media isn’t always truthful. There’s so much more to a photography business than a few good posts of their best shots. Instead of relying on Instagram as a review of a photographer’s work, check their website and do a deep dive in their information, ask to view a complete wedding gallery, and check out their reviews both on Google and Wedding Wire. Wedding Wire is a great way to assess someone’s reviews because it gives clients an opportunity to rate different aspects of service. Also, setting up a phone call or Zoom is a great way to really gauge the vibe of the photographer.

Tip 2: Style Check

This might seem obvious, but make sure to choose a photographer who matches the style of photography that you like. If you want your wedding photography to be candid and filled with raw emotion, make sure you find a photographer who is displaying that kind of work. If the photographer is only posting photos of posed, editorial style brides – they probably will not be a good fit. Outside of the candid vs editorial style of photography there is also a color check! Does the photographer have a moodier style of editing? A vibrant one? A very white and clean look? Do the colors vary from each wedding? Chances are your photographer gravitates to certain stylistic choices and you want to make sure that you like those colors and style of editing because they will be used in your wedding as well.

Tip 3: Vibe Check

After you scout for photographers and you have your strong contenders, make sure to meet with each one and do a “vibe check.” Was the meeting natural and easy flowing? Did you feel nervous and awkward? You want to make sure that you are comfortable with the photographer from the get go. If it feels awkward, maybe it just isn’t a good personality fit. For us at Ghost Edits, we feel like our clients are all people we would enjoy having a beer with at a bar. The vibe check is always obvious for us.

Tip 4: Investments

If it is really important to you to have your wedding photographed and preserve those memories, invest in a professional photographer. Hiring a friend of a friend or a family member is great only if you are on a tight budget with limited options. If you are someone who knows that these photographs are going to be displayed all over the house, in albums on the bookcase, showed to friends and family for years to come – then invest. A great photographer charges accordingly, but those photos will last a lifetime.

Tip 5: Get the Logistical Info

Beyond the photographs, ask your photographer about the process. What is the booking process? How long is the turnaround time? What do you actually receive? Are you getting a link with a gallery that you can share with your friends and family? Is it a private link that you then have to figure out how to share thousands of photos with your guests? How many photos do you get from a wedding on average? Some photographers shoot on their own and others hire a second photographer, how many will you have? Some photographers hire other people to work their events, are you getting the lead photographer, the person whose work you love, or are you getting an associate? These are all questions that should be asked so you completely understand what you are paying for.

Tip 6: Ask for Multiple Galleries

Ask to view MULTIPLE wedding galleries. Why? They may have had a perfect wedding: beautiful locations, gorgeous light, just all around an easy wedding that they spent extra time editing. This wedding gets posted everywhere and is their “showcase” wedding. But not all weddings are the same. Seeing a photographer’s track record of consistently stunning images across different settings can give you confidence that your own wedding photos will be equally beautiful and perfect.

Tip 7: Ask About the Contract

Don’t just skim the contract! Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions, including payment schedules, cancellation policies, and copyright ownership of the images. The contract should clearly outline the specific services the photographer will provide, including the number of hours of coverage, the number of edited images you’ll receive, and any additional products or services included in the package. The contract should detail how and when you’ll receive your photos (online gallery, USB drive, etc.) and the estimated turnaround time. Understand who owns the copyright to the images and what rights you have to use them. Some photographers may offer print release forms allowing you to print and share the photos freely. If you have any questions or concerns about the contract, don’t hesitate to ask the photographer for clarification. It’s essential to feel comfortable and confident with the terms before signing.

Tip 8: Ask the Vendors for Recommendations

If you already nailed down the venue, ask them for a list of recommendations. If you have a wedding planner, ask them for their preferred vendors. All of these wedding vendors know who works well in their establishment and has left other couples very happy. Your wedding planner will also have a list of preferred vendors and they can tailor their recommendations to what you are planning and within your budget.

Tip 9: Find a Local Photographer

There are plenty of talented photographers all over the world. Instagram has made it feel like everyone is only a click away when in fact they can be thousands of miles away. Hiring a destination wedding photographer means that you have to cover their travel costs like hotels, food, rental car, etc. When you hire someone local, they are used to the conditions that Puerto Rico can display – for example high heat, harsh sun, strong wind, high contrast between shadows and sun. They know how to edit after the wedding and are used to dealing with sweat, fly away hairs, and more. Plus, they will have a better understanding of photogenic locations, logistical information, and be a resource for other planning factors like where the sun is at sunset, what time is the best time to shoot, and more.

Tip 10: Find a Photographer Who Is Available

I don’t mean if they have the date available. I mean find a photographer who is responsive, timely in their communications, and can serve as a resource and is actually on your side. Your wedding is going to be a whole event, and it is way better to have a photographer who is on your team and makes life easier for you and communicates well compared to someone who clocks in and out for the paycheck and doesn’t actually show any interest in you. Photography is a creative field but wedding photography is also a hospitality field.