World’s Best Wedding Photographers : Top 10 Qualities

Top 10 Qualities to Look for in a Wedding Photographer:

Choosing a professional wedding photographer is not something that you do every day.

Before you embark on this part of your wedding planning adventure it’s important to

determine the qualities that help make the difference between a capable wedding

photographer and an amazing wedding photographer. Not only is it important to feel

good about a photographer’s portfolio but it’s also essential to feel comfortable and at

ease with the photographer as a person. Remember, your wedding photographer will be

intimately involved with most aspects of your day, the more at ease you feel as a couple,

the more natural and beautiful moments your photographer will be able to take

throughout your wedding day.

 

1. Training and Education

While it isn’t necessary to have a Master’s degree in photography, there are numerous

ways that training and education can help develop the skills needed to become a

professional wedding photographer. Look to see what type of background your potential

photographer has in a related field.

 

3. Experience

Make sure you look for someone who has specific experience in wedding photography.

There is a large learning curve for someone who has only worked as an apprentice or

solely works in a studio under controlled lighting conditions, either way, make sure they

have photographed a handful of weddings on their own.

Working as a wedding photographer means more than capturing great photographs. It

means having the ability to connect with the bride and groom, while capturing the

essence of your day in an unobtrusive and creative way.

 

4. Credentials

Looking at a photographers credentials is another great way to verify their level of

service and expertise. Have they been awarded by other industry professionals such as

The Knot (annual “Preferred Vendor Award”), PPA (Professional Photographers of

America), WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International), American Photo, to

name a few.

Are they part of a professional network such as wedding vendors listing in local

magazines, The Knot, Style Me Pretty Little Black Book of Vendors and/ or other

wedding industry listings?

 

5. Reviews

What are past clients saying about working with them? You can look up reviews on sites

like The Wedding Channel, Yelp, Google, and Wedding Wire. Checking out reviews can

often put your mind at ease when making the investment to hire an exceptional

professional wedding photographer.

 

6. Equipment

Quality photography equipment is expensive and requires detailed knowledge.

Experienced wedding photographers are prepared with backup equipment such as an

extra camera body, multiple lenses, and additional flashes.

Professional wedding photographers will be prepared with the appropriate equipment for

various lighting scenarios. Make sure you ask your potential photographer about their

experience shooting weddings with settings similar to what you are planning.

 

7. Quality Work Samples

When looking through a photographers portfolio, look for portraits that reflect the

stylistic elements that you love. It’s important that you like their overall style of

photography, and that you can envision yourself in their photos.

Full wedding galleries of previous clients will also help give you a clearer sense of the

final product.

Purchasing an engagement session is another great way to have professional photographs

taken of you and your partner while getting to know your photographer’s style of

shooting and warming up in front of the camera.

 

8. Professional Attributes

Experienced wedding photographers who are reliable and respectful will be easier to

work with and will probably be more interested in your personal needs as a couple.

Would you prefer a photographer who gives a lot of direction, a photographer who is less

obtrusive and more about capturing the day as it happens or would you prefer a little of

both? Remember, your wedding photographer will be intimately involved with most

aspects of your day; it’s important that you love their work and enjoy their personality.

 

9. Artistry

Photography is an art form. Just as painters and sculptors have their own individual styles

and techniques, so do professional photographers. Experienced wedding photographers

have developed preferences and methods for capturing each individual wedding with

their personal artistic style, it’s all a matter of preference. The artistry shines through in

the way they shoot, the locations that the photographer selects and in editing the final

body of work.

 

10. Presence

You can tell a lot about a person from the attitude that shines through. Is your potential

photographer welcoming and interested in what you have to say? Your wedding planning

will be much easier if you select a professional photographer who carries an attitude that

works with your own personality.

 

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