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How To Choose A Wedding Photographer

You thought finding your partner was hard, but it was nothing compared to choosing your wedding photographer 😅  Okay, I’m kidding. It’s not THAT big a deal. But figuring out how on earth to choose a wedding photographer can be tough. 

When you do a quick Google search for a wedding or elopement photographer, you get back t-h-o-u-s-a-n-d-s of results. Also, cameras keep getting better and better, editing styles keep getting more specific—and varied, and there are a million different package options that exist. There’s a lot to learn, know, and decide on! So how do you narrow it down from the thousands of people on Google to the ONE wedding photographer that gets you and can deliver exactly what you want?!

Answer: You stick with me! Don’t fret, you bad-ass, f*ck the rules and expectations, soon-to-be eloping couple, you! Because I got you. 😉  This post was created to give you the guidelines and save you the stress of choosing the perfect wedding photographer for your small wedding or adventure elopement. Here are my tips for finding the right person to be there with you on your big day.

How To Find A Small Wedding Photographer Or Elopement Photographer

There are tons of details and specifics that you’ll want to consider when you’re narrowing down your list of potential wedding photographers. But first, you need that list! So start this process by creating a long-ish list of candidates.

#1 Ask Friends for Wedding Photographer Recommendations

Start by asking friends! Because let’s be real: word of mouth and referrals from people know you and trust is always going to be a great option. Friends are honest. They’ll tell you what they loved, what they didn’t quite love, and whether or not they would ultimately recommend the person. 

Get some names of friends, family members, or even coworkers who’ve recently gotten married, or who know someone who has recently gotten married. And keep track of all your potentials in either a spreadsheet (if you’re Type A like me) or something more chill, like a note on your phone.

#2 Search Google, Pinterest & Instagram

If you don’t have a huge list of recommended photographers, head to Google to look for local wedding photographers near you. Then, once you find a few that pique your interest, cross-reference them on Instagram, or even Pinterest! Photography is visual after all, so go where the photos are.

Once you have a solid list, you’ll need to start narrowing it down. But to do that, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for in your ideal wedding photographer. The next section will help you make your list of criteria!

What To Look for In A Small Wedding Photographer or An Adventure Elopement Photographer

#1 The Right Editing Style

It’s important to know that photographers each have a distinct photography and editing style. They can tweak it a bit to match your vision, but they likely won’t overhaul it. 

To find out if you love each photographer’s style, check out their work and ask yourself:

  • Are their photos dark and moody, light and airy, or bright and cheery?

  • Do they do a lot of posed, fashion, or glam photos, or are they up close and personal?

  • Does their work resonate with you? 

The goal is to find a photographer whose past work makes you go “Ooooooh!” đŸ€©  And to do that, your gut will probably be your best friend. But if you’d like to be more systematic than that, go through, screenshot, or flag all the photos you love without putting too much thought into your choices. Let them sit for a while, and come back to them later. Then, see if you can identify editing styles or patterns that emerge. And if you do, narrow down your list to just the photographers that fit that style.

#2 Experience

Look for a photographer who has plenty of weddings under their belt. Bonus points if you can find a photographer who specializes in the type of wedding you love. 

(For example, I specialize in outdoor small weddings and adventure elopements, so if that’s your dream, I could hypothetically make it onto your photographer list! But if you’re dreaming of a church ceremony or a big party with 200 of your closest, I may not be ya girl.)

#3 Good Vibes

You are going to be spending a LOT of time with your wedding/elopement photographer, on a day that A) is super important and B) can be a little stressful at times. A day that can bring out all kinds of sides of a person! So make sure you feel like you can trust, rely on, and hang out with the photographer you book.

Ask yourself: Do we like this wedding photographer as a human? Then do one or more of the following:

  • Insta-stalk them (Do you like the content they’re sharing?)

  • Book a consultation call to get more insight into who they are (Most photographers will offer these calls for free!)

#4 Wedding Expertise

In adventure elopements and small weddings, photographers are typically some of the only people in attendance for most of the day. So they’ll often be able to help with a bit more than the photos! 

If chosen correctly, your wedding photographer can double as your co-planner, location scouter, and pseudo-MOH, helping you make decisions and execute those day-of dreams. They can even hold your dress while you pee (đŸ™‹đŸ»â€â™€ïž  been there!) or hold up a blanket while you change in the woods (đŸ™‹đŸ»â€â™€ïž  done that!).

Another reason why point #3 is a biggie! It’s so important to click with this person.

#5 Location Savvy

Is your photographer a local? Or are they from somewhere that’s at least in the vicinity of your wedding spot? It’s important that your photographer know the lay of the land, so they can scout out great photo backdrops, co-plan logistics, and travel, and help you avoid any no-gos like tourist-trap locations or slippery, messy, off-season parks and paths.

#6 Aligned Wedding Photography Packages

Major wedding photography FAQ: How much does wedding photography cost?! And the answer is, it varies. You may find amateur photographers charging as low as $1000 to $1500, but be VERY wary of these too-good-to-be-true prices! Because there’s more to great wedding photography than just cost.

Ask your potential wedding photographers what types of photography packages they offer. Some offer coverage in 2-hour chunks (so 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, etc.) while others prefer half-day and full-day coverage.

Also, ask them what ELSE is included in their elopement packages. Some photographers (again, like me!), will include the following:

  • Travel fees

  • Professional wedding albums

  • Print shop options (for ordering artwork and prints)

  • Online galleries (which you can share with friends and family)

  • Custom wedding day timeline

  • Second photographer

15 Questions To Ask Your Wedding Photographer

To sum everything up for you, here are 15 key questions to ask the potential wedding photographers on your list! Feel free to screenshot these or even print ‘em out. I know they’ll go so far in helping you find the perfect photographer. 

  1. Do you have experience shooting small weddings or adventure elopements?

  2. Have you photographed [your wedding type] before? (I.e., Have you photographed a hiking elopement before? An adventure elopement? A backyard wedding?)

  3. How do you describe your wedding photography editing style?

  4. What’s your approach to posing? More formal, or more relaxed?

  5. Can I see examples of your past work?

  6. What’s your approach to a wedding day?

  7. How involved will you be in planning and prepping for our wedding?

  8. What packages do you offer?

  9. What are your rates or pricing options?

  10. Do you offer custom quotes or a la carte pricing? (This is your big day, you should get the EXACT photography coverage you want, which sometimes means customizing!)

  11. Do you offer full-day packages?

  12. Roughly how many images will we receive?

  13. Do your packages include travel fees?

  14. Do you offer engagement sessions? And are they included in our package price?

  15. Do you offer prints, albums, and other memory-makers?

Wedding Photography Packages That Check All The Boxes

I’d love to put my photography packages, and my experience shooting outdoor weddings, to work for you two! 

Check out my small wedding photography packages or my adventure elopement photography package options. Or, feel free to skip go and head directly to booking a free consultation call, where we’ll have a virtual bevvy, chat all about you and your day, and find out if we’re a fit.