Should I hire a photographer that is new to the industry?

It depends on how important pictures are to you. If you want really nice, professional pictures, hire someone who has been in the business a while. I would ask this photographer you're looking at if they have ever photographed weddings before. People usually start out as assistants at least to build up experience.

Well, you know what they say about assumptions. You should probably ask them how much experience they have. Also, if something seems too good to be true then it probably is. I would splurge a bit on the pictures because you will be looking at them for the rest of your life along with your kids and grandkids. But that's just me.

Yes don't do it IMO for something so important! We hired someone for our epics that was new and had a few, but all, awesome reviews. The pics came out terrible and I'll be lucky if we have five good ones out of them all. If pictures are important to you, I would reconsider. If you'd be ok with pictures that don't live up to your expectations potentially then you can give him/her a try or consider doing an epic session before hiring them for your wedding to see how it goes

If they don't have that much experience then I am assuming weddings are not their forte. They might be awesome at other type of shoots but if photos are super important to you and your FH I would not risk it just because the price is reasonable. And since they do not have many reviews I would have to pass on it.

My opinion is weddings are very different than engagement shoots, family portraits, etc. You need to be on top of your game so you don't miss anything - I've seen a lot of People's Court in my college days where people complained the photographer didn't capture the first kiss, the first dance, etc. because they were overwhelmed with the experience. There was also someone on here a week or two ago saying they realized they didn't get any photos just of husband and wife. If you are going to go with someone new, I would at least have them do a few weddings so they get the routine down. I'd hate for the photographer to run to the bathroom real quick and not tell the DJ and the DJ starts your first dance and the photographer misses it. Things like that you only learn after being around for a little bit and getting used to shooting weddings.

I wouldn't dismiss them outright. Even award winning photographers have to start out somewhere. But I would definitely do my research on them.

Maybe you can book them for an engagement shoot and see if you are happy with that before your actual wedding?

Or, if you are even skeptical of that, try and meet them in person to go over their portfolio and ask about their experience.

ETA: If they don't have much wedding specific experience, see if they have done any other type of event where they HAVE to capture specific moments.

Photos are the one thing I splurged on. I wanted someone with experience who knew how to deal with families and what shots to get. And of course I had to love their work and personally get along with them since I am spending my day with them.

No. We did it for our engagement photos. They were a disaster! We cancelled our wedding photography contract with her soon after. I booked a much more experienced and more expensive photographer immediately after. We received our photos 1 week after the ceremony and I have ZERO regrets! (I still haven't posted a BAM yet... sorry WW). :/

Don't entirely dismiss them. I would ask a TON of questions. Find out if they have been a 2nd shooter for a more experienced photographer before. If they have, contact that photographer and ask about their experience.

You want someone who has weddings as their specialty in my opinion, they will better understand the flow of the day, the important moments, and what shots to get. Talk with them and see if they have any experience at weddings and see the feel you get from them though.

Honestly, I'm all for giving someone a chance. People have to start somewhere. Otherwise, how can provide a wedding portfolio if no one ever uses them. However, do your research. Ask to see their portfolio. Write down any questions you may have to help determine if they will be a good fit.

At the very least, I would try them out for engagement photos before making the commitment to hire them for your wedding.

I agree with @Leelee...if you want to give them a chance, at least do engagement photos with them first.

I'd say make a meeting if you can and check out their work! The guy we found does photography more as a hobby but his work is amazing! Ask lots of questions and then decide.

RED FLAG RED FLAG RED FLAG!!!!!

I would stray away from craigslist.

That being said ask a million questions meet in person. Make sure it's not a scam. As PPS have said see a portfolio and

ask for references. I would also image search their pics they already have on their page to make sure they are not stolen from anywhere.

I agree everyone has to start somewhere but just be very thorough.

From what I have seen they do wedding and family.

If they want your business bad enough, they'll do your engagement photos as a test to see how you like their work and if you vibe with them. There's really no difference between engagement photos and family photos except who is in the pictures (and you technically are going to be a family at this point). They'd be dumb if they turned down your business because they're not the photographer's definition of "family" photos.

I would ask A LOT of questions ask if they've ever done weddings before ask to see previous work. My photographer came cheaper than most bc she just started her own company so she's trying to get her business out there, but she as well as her assistant has worked in the photography industry for about 15/16 years through other companies. I was skeptical at first but after meeting with her seeing her previous work for weddings specifically, I was more comfortable. I even went on the website of the company she worked for previously and some of the reviews mentioned her name so I was put at ease.

Another thing to keep in mind: the way that photographers interact with people at your wedding is nearly as important as the quality of the photos they take. I've been to weddings where the photographers have been all up in my grill, and I hated it. A skilled photographer will know how to capture the event without getting in the way. Their personality is also very very important in getting good posed photos with the family and whatnot. My photographer was $$$ but it was 100% worth it because she had everyone comfortable and laughing and there is NO WAY our photos would be nearly as good if she didn't have the skill she did in that regard!

I agree with PP maybe you can do an engagement shoot as kind of a "test" and see how those come out before you commit to booking them for your wedding. Like stated before also, every photographer has to start somewhere to build their review base and portfolio.