How to Find the Right Wedding Photographer
Choosing a Wedding Photographer is About More Than Price
When you first started planning your wedding, you probably thought finding a photographer would be simple, right? Just look at a few Instagram accounts to make a list of people whose photos you like and then grab whoever gave you the best price. But now that you’ve been looking a bit, it turns out it’s not that easy, is it?
Whether you’re planning a wedding in Montreal, Ottawa or anywhere else, shopping for a wedding photographer based on price alone is a bit like shopping for a car: the cheapest one isn’t necessarily the best deal. There are many things that you have to consider: the photographer’s style is important, but so is their level of expertise with various lighting situations, their experience with different cultural traditions, how well they handle unexpected situations and how prepared they are for equipment failure (it happens to the best of us).
And then there’s their personality. Remember, this person is going to be with you all day. It needs to be someone you actually want to spend that much time with. None of these are things that you can learn about from a price sheet.
I’ve photographed countless weddings over the years and I’ve met with even more couples who were right where you are now. I’ve even photographed weddings for couples who, in hindsight, may have ended up with a photographer who wasn’t the best fit for them. This is something that happens often when you hire a photography company that has many photographers working for them.
Many times, a couple will go with such a company because the price is lower. The big problem with this is they don’t know who will be shooting their wedding because they often don’t get to meet the actual photographer until they show up on the day of the wedding. Asking 2 simple questions in the beginning could have helped them out: “Who will be shooting my wedding?” and “Can I meet them before we sign?”
Questions like this can help engaged couples make a much better decision about who they choose to document one of the biggest days of their lives. This is one of the things we’re going to be looking at: what are the right questions to ask photographers and what kind of answers should they be giving.
Start With the Photography Style You Actually Like
Before you even start contacting people, though, you need to know what you’re looking for. Wedding photographers are artists, and like all artists they’re unique (certainly the good ones are). Their style is distinctive. This is a big reason why you need to take a look at their work and not just their prices.
Some things that are important to take note of in their photos are:
How do people look in posed photos? Are they relaxed and showing natural emotions, or do they look stiff and awkward?
Your wedding will probably have some low-light moments. How well does the photographer work in dark situations?
The photographer will probably need to use flash at some point of the day. Do the flash shots look well-controlled or does it look like the photographer is just blasting everybody with light?
Consistency matters. Do the photos look like a cohesive body of work created by the same person or are they all over the place?
Look at Full Wedding Galleries
Make sure you look at full wedding galleries, not just the Greatest Hits reels that get posted to Instagram. You’ll start to notice differences in the way photographers shoot: some might spend more time on candid, spontaneous photos while others create more curated, controlled portraits. Some might take more detail photos than others.
You shouldn’t choose the photographer just because you liked 1 photo they took. That 1 shot won’t tell you much about what the whole experience of working with them is like and it won’t even tell you if they’re actually that good. Remember: anybody can get a lucky shot. The difference between luck and skill is consistency. That’s why it’s important to look at full galleries and consider their whole portfolio.
A photographer might take 20 or so great photos from a wedding, but they’re going to be delivering over 800 from a full day. What do those other photos look like? If the 20 great shots are also the only 20 good shots, then you’ll be pretty unhappy with the results if the photographer gives you over 800 shots and most of them are bad.
Looking at a full gallery will also allow you to see how they handle specific moments of the day. Let’s take the group photo session, for example. Are the people in the group photos well-posed and neat-looking, or are the groomsmen all covering their midsections (what I call the Mafia Goon pose)? Is Dad’s jacket buttoned up? Is Cousin Stephanie doing some weird pose that she thinks looks good?
The ceremony is another important section of the day for you to look at (some might say it’s the most important). How well do the photos cover it? Can you tell the emotions people were feeling at the time? Are all of the key moments there? Are there many moments nobody else noticed, like the mother of the bride crying?
When you meet with a photographer, the question to ask is very simple: “Can we see a full wedding gallery?”
Ask How They Approach the Wedding Day
Having examples of full coverage is great, but it’s not the only thing that matters. You’re going to want to know about their approach to covering the day. Different photographers will handle the day in different ways. Some are very hands-on and will try to set up very specific shots, while others take a more subtle, go-with-the-flow approach. Neither is wrong, but one could be wrong for you.
You’re going to want a photographer whose approach matches your expectations. Getting a photographer who tends to exert a lot of control over the day when you want someone more subtle can get annoying and stressful.
On the other hand, if you want someone who’s going to take control and make sure everything happens when it should, but you hire a photographer with a more laid-back, candid way of doing things then you’re going to start to get frustrated because it will seem like they aren’t doing anything and nobody knows what to do.
Here are a few questions you can ask to help decide if this person’s way of working is right for you:
How much direction do you provide?
How do you handle portraits?
Do you shoot mostly candidly, or do you spend more time setting up shots?
Will you help organize family photos?
How do you handle a tight timeline?
How do you work with other vendors?
How much of the day do you expect to be scheduled around photography?
There’s a key distinction to be made here: you aren’t looking for the best photographer. You’re looking for the best photographer for you. The fact that your cousin told you her photographer was the best doesn’t mean that they’re the one you should hire for your wedding.
Ask About Their Experience With Weddings Like Yours
Just as wedding photographers are not all the same, neither are weddings. You should know about the photographer’s experience with weddings like yours. Have they photographed at the venue you’ve chosen, or others like it? If you have a lot of religious or cultural elements, are they familiar with them?
Weddings in a city like Montreal can have all kinds of differences that will affect photography, including different seasons, lighting conditions, cultural elements and venues. Talking about the specifics with your photographer will help you determine how experienced they are with weddings like yours.
This is actually a great time to find out about the photographer’s dedication to weddings as well. The photographer should express an interest in hearing about the details of your wedding. If all they seem to care about are logistical details like locations and guest counts, that’s information that should factor into your decision.
Ask What Happens When Things Don't Go According to Plan
This is where things can get interesting if you’re dealing with a photographer who’s been around for a while because you’ll be giving them an opportunity to tell you stories. Don’t be at all surprised to hear, “There was this one time where...”
Wedding photography doesn’t happen under controlled conditions, and unexpected problems can arise. How a photographer handles unexpected situations and how well-prepared they are should both factor into your decision. Ask them questions like:
What happens if it rains?
What if the timeline falls behind?
What happens if you get sick?
How do you back up the photos to make sure they’re safe?
If you’re looking for a story, you could phrase the questions a bit differently: “Have you ever had to deal with equipment failure during a wedding before? How did you handle it?”
A good photographer may or may not have a story for you, but they should always have a contingency plan in place. If the schedule falls behind, they should know how to get back on track. They should be prepared to go to a Plan B location in case of rain.
They should definitely have a set of backup equipment available (what I like to refer to as an “Oh S#!t Kit”). Don’t be afraid to ask about their equipment - many photographers actually love it when you do. Ask about their backup camera and how many extra flashes and memory cards they bring. Ask them if they use the backup feature on their cameras.
Most professional cameras today have 2 memory card slots so the camera can record the photos to 2 separate locations at once. It’s a great idea to use that feature, but not all photographers do.
Having said that, photography equipment is expensive, so not every photographer can afford to have a full set of backup equipment. I certainly didn’t for the first few years of my career. I did borrow a camera when possible, though, and I bought one when I could afford it.
A photographer who’s just starting out may not have a backup available, and this is part of what goes into a photographer’s price. A more expensive photographer is more likely to be prepared for the unexpected and have a contingency in place. Part of what you’re paying for is the extra peace of mind of knowing they have it all under control.
Consider this: You're not just hiring someone to take photographs. You're hiring someone to manage risk on a day that can't be repeated.
Understand Exactly What You're Getting
Make sure you know what’s included in all of the photographer’s packages. If you’re not certain of something, ask. There are many things offered in packages that might need a bit of an explanation. For example, my packages include an Album Design Session. Do you know what’s involved in that, or does it seem like something you should ask for clarity on? If you don’t know, ask!
You’re going to want to know how many photographers are included. If there’s more than one, are both photographers staying the whole day, or will one of them be leaving early? If the package says, “Full Day Coverage,” how long is a full day, exactly? 8 hours? 12?
You should also ask about the photos themselves. How will the photos be delivered, and how many should you expect? What format will they be in? Will you be able to print them? How much editing will be done (if any)? 2 packages that have the same price aren’t necessarily equivalent, and a cheaper package might not be the best value. They might both be 10 hours, but do they both come with 2 photographers? Do they both include an album?
Read the Contract Before You Book
Once you’ve made your choice, you’re going to want a contract. Everything you discussed with the photographer and agreed to should be put in writing. In case of a future disagreement or misunderstanding, everyone involved—including the photographer—will want something in writing to refer back to in order to make sure everyone ends up on the same page. In addition to laying out everything that’s in the package, it should cover such things as:
Cancellation policy.
Rescheduling.
Delivery timeline. For more detail, take a look at this article on why delivery time is important.
Payment schedule.
Copyright and licensing (FYI: copyright law in many countries, including Canada and the US, states that the photographer owns the copyright. You’re paying them to create and deliver the photographs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you own the copyright.)
Model release and usage rights. What rights does the photographer have to use your images for their website, social media, advertising, or other purposes?
Overtime, in case the wedding runs longer than planned.
If something is important to you, make sure it’s covered in the contract. If there’s something you don’t understand, ask for clarification before signing.
Meet or Talk With the Photographer
This goes without saying. The photographer’s personality is incredibly important because you’re going to have this person follow you around all day. You need to be comfortable with them, otherwise you’re not going to be able to enjoy the day the way you want. If a family member offers to pay for the photographer as their gift to you, that’s great! Make it clear to them, though, that it has to be someone you approve of.
I’ve heard from people in the past who said someone chose and paid for the photographer for them and they ended up hating the photographer. You wouldn’t let someone choose the wedding dress for you, right? It has to be your choice.
When you meet with a photographer, you should ask yourself these questions:
Do I feel comfortable around them?
Do they listen to me?
Do they understand what we’re looking for?
Do we trust them?
Can we imagine having them around during stressful moments?
Can we put up with them for 12 hours straight?
Ask These Questions Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer
If you skipped through everything to get to the summary at the bottom, here it is. These are some of the important questions you should be asking.
About their work
Can we see a full wedding gallery?
How would you describe your photography style?
How much direction do you provide?
About the wedding day
How do you approach the timeline?
How do you handle family photos?
What happens if we're running behind?
About reliability
What happens if you're sick?
What backup equipment do you bring?
How do you back up our photographs?
About the package
How many hours are included?
How many images should we expect?
Are digital files included?
Are there additional costs we should know about?
About the relationship
Who exactly will photograph our wedding?
Will we meet before the wedding?
How will we communicate during the planning process?
Make Your Shortlist — Then Trust Your Gut
Now that we’ve gone through everything in detail, here’s the short version of the process:
Step 1: Find 5-10 photographers whose work you like.
Step 2: Look at full galleries.
Step 3: Narrow it down to somewhere between 3 and 5.
Step 4: Ask the important questions.
Step 5: Compare the offerings, not just the prices.
Step 6: Meet with the finalists in person (or virtually).
Step 7: Choose the photographer you trust to deliver the experience and photographs you want.
The Right Photographer is the One You Trust
The goal isn’t to find the cheapest photographer or the one with the biggest Instagram following. It’s to find the one you connect with, who has a style you like and who has the knowledge, skill and experience to deliver everything you’re looking for. It's to find someone whose work you love, whose approach fits you, and whom you trust to handle the day when things inevitably don't go perfectly.
If you're planning a wedding in Montreal or the surrounding area and you're looking for a photographer whose approach focuses on both beautiful yet simple portraits and authentic moments, we should talk!
Here are a few more helpful resources to help you with your wedding planning:
Find out why it’s important to book your photographer early.
Not sure if just one photographer is enough? Here are some reasons why you should have a second photographer.
F.A.Q.
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Most people book their photographer about 12 to 18 months in advance. Photographers can only shoot one wedding at a time, so booking early gives you the best chance of getting the photographer you want.
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Pricing can vary greatly depending on many factors, such as location, experience and reputation. An inexperienced beginner could be as little as $1000 and a well-known and established luxury wedding photographer could cost as much as $20 000. For reference, my clients tend to spend about $3000 to $3300 on a full day for photography.
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There are a few things you should look for: a consistent style, skill with handling both natural light and flash, and the ability to get good results even in difficult lighting, such as an outdoor reception after sunset. Well-composed family portraits and couple portraits are also an indicator of ability.
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It depends on the size of your wedding. If it’s a simple, 3-hour wedding with a small number of guests, one photographer can certainly do the job. If it’s a large, full-day affair with 300 guests, you’re going to want that second photographer to make sure the day gets the coverage it deserves.
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That depends on a few things, the first of which is how long you’re going to have the photographer there for. If your wedding coverage is only 2 hours, you shouldn’t expect more than maybe 200 or 300. If you have 300 guests and your photographer will be with you for 15 hours, you could get well over 1000.
This depends on your photographer’s editing philosophy, though. They might plan on giving you all of the shots that they consider good enough to be considerations for your album. There are some photographers who are very selective, though, and they pride themselves on only giving you the best of the best. In that case you’ll get far fewer images, but they’ll all be album-ready.
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You’re going to want to know about price, of course, but that shouldn’t be your only concern. Ask if you can see some full-wedding galleries. You want to know what the entire day looks like, not just the 20 or so highlights they selected.
Their style is also important. What kind of photographer are they? Documentary? Editorial?
Be sure to ask what the delivery timeline is. Some photographers might try to get you the photos by the end of the week, while others might take 2 months.
Here’s a question people overlook: ask who will be shooting your wedding. Some photographers hire associates to shoot weddings for them, while others shoot all their own weddings themselves.