So, you have chosen the perfect wedding venue, dress, suits, flowers and music, but there is one very important element that will ensure you have beautiful, everlasting memories of your special day – the photographer. Wedding photos should flawlessly capture the most important day of your life, however choosing the right photographer can be a daunting process. At Merrimu, we are a leading boutique wedding venue Melbourne couples choose for a timeless and elegant celebration. Here are our top tips to help you make the right decision when choosing your photographer.
Know the Style You Want
This is a vital step that will help determine which kind of photographer you’ll want to capture your wedding. Scroll through all types of imagery and pin a collection of inspiring photographs together, try to figure out what it is that draws you to them specifically. Is your collection full of traditional, formally-posed portraits? Or are there more candid, emotion-filled images? Ask yourself if you are you looking for someone who is going to pose each image, interrupting the natural moments from happening or someone who is going to go with the flow, capturing all the little details? Importantly, the style of the images should say something about you both as a couple. Whether you are looking for relaxed photography or you would like to go for a more contemporary or creative style, be sure to do your homework and shop around.
Consider Your Budget
Determine how much you can afford to spend but be cautious about false budgeting. While you might be able to find someone who will capture your day for a few hundred dollars, this is very risky. It’s worth paying extra for a professional and high-quality photographer that is experienced in shooting weddings in the style you want. On the other hand, however, booking a top notch photography service can easily blow your financial plan for the entire wedding. An experienced, skilled wedding photographer may charge anything from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on many factors, including:
- The amount of coverage – How many hours will you require the photographer for? Ideally, you want your photographer to be there for your full wedding day—from when you start getting ready until after you make your grand exit from the reception.
- The number of photographers – While you may think one might be sufficient, the main benefit to having two or more photographers is that you get much more coverage. For example, during your formal photo session, one photographer can capture the formal photos, while another one can get behind-the-scenes photos of your venue and your guests mingling.
- The type of albums you want – do you want printed images bound in albums or just the USB stick?
- Where is your wedding located? If your photographer has to travel, this may increase the price significantly.
Do Your Research
Browse local photographers in your area and read reviews from recent newlyweds. Once you have a shortlist, review potential photographers’ websites and blogs to check out photos of other weddings they’ve shot. Check out their social media pages too and see if the feedback from clients is positive. Also check how the photographer responds and how they interact with their social media followers, if they seem friendly and personable then this is a sign they are going to be easy to work with.
View Full Wedding Albums
While a photographer’s gallery might seem to be exactly the imagery you are after, don’t base your decision solely on this. Photographers always show a portfolio of their best pictures, all from different weddings, so potential clients are seeing the best of the best. To ensure you get a well-rounded idea of their work, ask to view a full gallery or two of real weddings the photographer has shot. This will allow you to see a more comprehensive range, from family portraits to reception detail shots. If you see that the full albums are just about as good as the ones chosen in the highlight gallery, that’s a sign you are on the right track. Also ask to see at least one full album of a wedding that is in similar settings to yours as this will give you a great idea of what your finished images will look like.
The right wedding photos will perfectly capture all of the emotion of the moment and they have the power to transport you back that special day, every time you revisit them. Do you need help finding a photographer or planning any other elements of your day? Merrimu is luxury boutique wedding venue in Melbourne, and we have been hosting magical weddings for over 60 years. Our wedding planners pride themselves on their personalised service and impeccable attention to detail. For more information on our wedding packages contact us online or call us today on (03) 9568 1811.