How to hire your wedding photographer!

Photo by Kayla Cindy Photo

Choosing the perfect wedding photographer can feel like a difficult and time-consuming process. There are so many options and so much talent in Central Oregon… but how do you know which one is best for you and your wedding?

Here's a rundown of the most crucial factors to think about when hiring a wedding photographer for your big day:

1. Decide your preferred editing style and search out photographers who fit that style. Editing can vary significantly; some photographers capture true-to-life colors, others are more sepia tones or richer tones, some are light + airy, some shoot with film, others apply their own presets to digital photography, etc.

2. Set your budget for photography. In Central Oregon, you can expect to spend $3-$5k+ depending on the photographer, their experience, and the number of hours.

3. Ask friends and family for recommendations (we have a great preferred vendor list).

4. Check out their website and instagram account.

5. Inquire about their availability for your wedding date. Photographers are one of the first vendors to get hired and sometimes their calendars book up more than a year in advance!

6. Read recent reviews and even ask to speak to a recent couple about their experience.

7. Ask to see a full wedding day gallery.

Once you have narrowed down your search down to ~3-4 photographers, the next step is to set-up a consultation with each of them. We recommend a Zoom call or in person meeting so you can see their personalities a bit more; it helps to determine if you would be a good fit.

During the consultation, make sure to take the time to get to know the photographer and their style, and what it would be like working with them on wedding day. Have a list of questions to help make the decision a little easier.

Questions that should be asked:

• Have you shot at my venue before?

• How often do you shoot weddings that have a similar size and style to the one we are planning?

• Do you shoot digitally? With film? Or both?

• Tell me about your editing style?

• What would a typical wedding day look with you as my photographer?

• Do you have and/or recommend a second shooter?

• Can we share with you what specific photos we want to have taken?

• Can we order prints or albums directly from you?

• Will the images be accessible online? For how long?

• Will you be posting about our wedding on your website and social media? Will you be submitting our photos to magazines or blogs?

• What is the backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding for an unexpected reason?

Photo by Victoria Carlson Photo

When talking about pricing, make sure to let each photographer know exactly what you are wanting. Think about how many hours you need (we suggest at least 8 hours), if you want a second shooter, how many high-resolution JPG images do you want, if you want an album and an engagement session.

Just to get expectations on the same page, always make sure to ask when you will get a sneak peek from your wedding (generally 24 hours after wedding to 2 weeks) and when the full wedding gallery will be delivered (on average full galleries will be ready from 1 to 6 months after the wedding). Make sure that both are noted in the contract. This should not determine which photographer you hire, but it’s good for everyone to be in agreement before the wedding occurs.

We always encourage our couples to do an engagement session with their photographer. The main reason is not just for the photos, that is just a bonus, this time gives you the opportunity to get to know one another and for you as a couple to get comfortable in front of the camera.

An engagement session is also beneficial to the development of relationships. Because every couple is different, the session will assist your wedding photographer to learn more about how you interact with one another so that wedding day will be a smooth process.

Remember that hiring a wedding photographer is a huge decision, so don't rush into making one. You're entrusting someone to capture keepsakes from one of the most memorable days of your life.