There is no doubt about the abundance of photo and video talent available for your big day. You can’t throw a rock without hitting a photographer in this country these days. Not everyone is going to be amazing, but you do have a lot of great talent to choose from. 

Let's not get into credentials. Let's be real, you don't know what they mean and you don't really care. You can read reviews and, most importantly, look at their work. After you confirm they are reliable and can create beautiful images, here are some tips on what to look for next. 

1. Chemistry

You will be spending your entire day with your photographer(s). They will likely be there for your champagne breakfast, your limo ride and taking the first photo of your first kiss as husband and wife. They are going to be so involved which is why it’s important you vibe with them. Imagine spending 9 hours with someone you can’t banter with. 

Sound out their views on subjects important to you and find some common ground.  Good rapport makes all the difference.

2. Trust

You want as little stress on your big day as possible. The anxiety of constantly checking to make sure your photographer is getting the shot is going to show in your photos. Make sure you have your plan for the day, the style you want, and trust they will deliver. 

Take a look at the types of photos they take in their portfolio and make sure they are taking all the photos you need to capture on the big day. No one wants to be the one to break it to Grandma Ruth that the photo with all the grandkids and the bride and groom was missed.

If you can trust your photographer, they can take control to direct and coach the entire team while you enjoy the ride. 

3. A shared vision

If you have a vision of your wedding and more so a vision of how you want your photos to look, have your photographer explain that back to you in their own words so you know they understand. This will help alleviate any trust issues you have on your day.

We like to work on a loose script that we reference throughout the day. We keep this dialogue present in our minds and that helps us stay consistent with your style throughout the day. 

4. Avoid the yes-man

It’s easy to want to hire someone who will say ‘yes’ to all your wildest requests. Photographers want to capture your vision but it’s important that your photographer is realistic and can manage expectations so that time isn’t wasted trying to make a photo happen when it’s not going to. 

Any number of unforeseen events can hold up that grand shot. We had a bride who wanted a beautiful photo with her forehead resting on the forehead of the horse. When we came to capture this moment, the horse ate her bouquet. He was then a little restless and wouldn't keep his head still. For fear of our bride being head-butted, we pivoted the shot to something slightly different but still beautiful.

Trust your creatives to tell you when a square peg wont go into a round hole. Also trust when they tell you when an idea is a bad one, or something that is cheesy and dated.

5. Their other work

A great way to get to know a photographer better is to look at their other work. Weddings make up about 25% of our year shooting and it is similar for many other photographers. If you have a look through the other images they create, you can get a better idea of what they can do for you that can help give your photos that edge. 

For us personally, we both shoot commercially. We have shot for GQ magazine, Blac magazine, created billboards for retail and fashion brands, created portraits for celebrities and politicians and shot countless music festivals. We use the skills developed in those areas to keep our wedding style and your photos exceptional. 

Boyfriend XOXO