How to pick a photographer

What all is included in the package? Check reviews. Then meet a few and see who you click with.

Do people actually meet in person? I have had phone conversations but we are not local to our wedding venue

I had the same problem! I was driving myself crazy. One of the last few I looked at I eventually kind of just settled on for lack of a better term because I knew I’d never stop looking otherwise. Obviously, she had the package I was looking for, price was right and her Instagram photos proved to have the aesthetic I was looking for as well. I did speak with her on the phone before booking and there were no red flags. I booked her the next day. Then I had to email the tons of other photographers which sucked but I’m glad I stopped looking when I did. We did an engagement shoot so we could meet and get comfortable with her and it proved I made the right choice.

Narrow those 40 down to your top 3 based on what's offered for your price point and your favorite look of their photos. Then, set up times to have consultations with each one so you can gauge their personalities. Select the one you have the best connection with (especially if all packages and styles are similar). Is there one that you keep going back to? In our case, I had one photographer whose pictures I just couldn't stop thinking about. After our two other consultations, we ended up booking them, even though they were a bit over our initial photography budget. Definitely narrow it down from 40 so that you can listen to your gut/heart. Best of luck!

View Quoted Comment Thank you! That’s super helpful. I’m obsessed!

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To answer your question, we consulted with 3 photographers after getting quotes. We met with 2 in person, simply because they were local to us, but the third (and one we ultimately ended up booking) did a Skype consultation with us since they were located a bit further away. We just had our engagement photo session last night and I am 1000% positive that we made the right decision.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! Definitely helpful!

For daughter, a good "connection" with each of her vendors was critical, and pretty much her "litmus test" for who she wanted to work with/trust to do a great job. Even if you just talk with photographers/vendors on the phone, be sure you ask to see/review "full galleries" not just what the photographer highlights on their website. Those full galleries should be the photographer's complete coverage of a wedding -- so you get to see every picture they turned over to a couple. Ask specifically if they've shot weddings at your venue, and, if they have, ask to see those galleries. Also, ask to contact a couple of their past clients directly. Online ratings aren't always unbiased, but actually talking to people can give you more information about what to expect. Feeling comfortable with your photographer is incredibly important to good pictures, so put time/energy into this decision! Good luck!

I went to Thumtack to search for an engagement photographer.
I went mainly off price. Then I asked her if she offered package deals. She wanted to build her wedding portfolio, so we got a great deal.

We exchanged several emails and phone calls, I viewed her work and I really got a good vibe from her.

We had the engagement shoot and I couldn't be happier with her as a photographer or as a person I'm comfortable with to take our Wedding pictures.
I wish you lots of luck! Id talk to previous clients and referrals and trust your gut.

I got recommendations from the venue. It was important to me that they knew the layout and surrounding areas of where we will be getting married. From there I reviewed their websites and packages. I met with a couple and had phone conversations with one. I narrowed it down to 2 different photographers, but decided to go with the one I felt most comfortable with and had a better connection.

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Hi Ava! Did you find a photographer you love yet?