How did you choose your photographer?

Two of my close friends used the same photographer who did a wonderful job, plus I got a discount, so he was hired on the spot.

That is a lot of options and I'm not sure I'd call 21 "narrow". First, I would try to knock it down to a more manageable number. Maybe 5? Then you really do have to meet with the person. My fiancé and I spent nearly two hours at our initial consultation with our photographer and during that time the three of laughed and joked. By the time we had left my fiancé and I knew we wanted that person because we were so comfortable with them.

Because every wedding she photographed was different from the last.

We met with I think 5 photographers. One we LOVED one but when she gave us the prices I was aghast. So I kept looking and found a local guy whose style is comparable but price will be 1200 less than the other was asking. I def want good pictures but there's a certain line in price I simply couldn't cross.

Luckily for us, we didn't have to really look around for photographers. When my fiancé proposed, he hired a lovely photographer to capture the moment. We both really loved how the photos came out. We hired her again for our engagement brunch and she's going to be our wedding photographer as well.

I'm also in a long distance planning situation. I narrowed it down to 2 photographers in the area where our wedding will take place after looking at their portfolios online. Since I could not meet with them in person, I asked my parents to meet them in my place to get pricing info and tell me about their personalities (I really wanted someone who was going to be nice, funny, and make everyone feel comfortable). My dad insisted on interviewing third photographer to have three choices.

One turned out to be a little nutty and the quality of the "third opinion" my dad threw in there was questionable. The one we picked was friendly and professional in person (so I hear) and had amazing quality in the wedding albums she creates. Knowing the meeting went well and that my parents were also impressed with her work is what helped me decide.

You need to schedule Skype meetings with all the ones you like. It seems that the photography is very important to you. Read all their reviews online. If they do not communicate well through emails, phone and skype, kick them to the curb. Ask each photographer to see at least two full wedding day of work from start to finish. photographers will only show their best work on their websites. You need to make sure that most of your pictures will be good not just two.

@Goby that's a good idea. Yes I think it's so much harder to find a photographer I truly like vs. videographer. It'll probably make things so much easier if I get to see photos from start to finish. I narrowed down to 18 so fingers crossed!

I narrowed it down to 4 and met them. I had one photographer keep canceling the meeting, the other 3 it came down to portfolio and price.

I might have missed it, but what state are you getting married in. Im a member of WPPI and PPA and attend a lot of events nationwide and shoot weddings across the country and Caribbean. Never know I may be able to offer some insight?

Wow! 21..haha.. My list at first was like five. I tried Thumbtack and saw a photographer that I loved!! Erica Lyn from www.ericalynphotography.com. I got so lucky because hse was within our budget. We spoke on the phone and emailed a lot and really liked her energy, I think the chemistry is important. Good luck!