Wedding photographer: everything newlyweds need to know

When you close your eyes, you probably already see your ideal wedding photos. YesYes suggests moving from theory to practice! So how do you choose the right wedding photographer? To make it beautiful, soulful, and on budget :) This is one of the most important tasks that newlyweds face. But since there are now an incredible number of photographers, this task is not so simple, especially in large cities. Besides, you've probably heard reviews from disappointed brides who were dissatisfied with their wedding photos. The YesYes team is ready to share with you the intricacies of choosing the ideal wedding photographer.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN FROM THIS ARTICLE:

Photographer's portfolio: what to look for
How does a wedding photographer work?
Prices: how much does a good photographer cost?
What you need to know about cameras and equipment

What is included in the photographer's services
Deadlines: when to expect your “photos”
What to ask a photographer
Is a Treaty necessary?

We really want your happy wedding day to remain not only in your memory, but also in beautiful, high-quality photos that are pleasant to show to your friends, and, over time, to your children and grandchildren!

What should a wedding photographer be like?

First of all, look for “your” person! Mutual sympathy and personal contact are criteria that brides often underestimate. How is the choice made in most cases? At first glance, the quality of the pictures is suitable, the price is satisfactory, but what else do you need? Hurray, “it’s in the bag”! But think carefully: the photographer will be next to you all day, which is also so exciting and important. The success of the photo shoot will depend on how much you can relax in his presence and feel absolute comfort.

Alas, we often see newlyweds awkwardly putting smiles on their faces and trying to pose correctly for the wedding album. But it’s difficult to smile at the camera if the person on the other side of the lens is not conducive to emotional contact.

Always try to establish an emotional connection with the photographer. If it doesn’t work out, run away from him - this specialist is “not yours”!

Another important nuance that is practically not written about: you need to look for a specialist not only “for yourself,” but also “for the wedding,” or rather, for the chosen format. If you are planning a fun, youthful celebration in an informal setting, does it make sense to invite a glamorous professional who photographs expensive events in luxury restaurants? Of course, he will conscientiously capture your wedding and you will get a number of good photos. But will he be able to convey the mood? The work of such professionals is mainly tailored to the surroundings: interiors, cars, outfits and other pretentious “gloss”.

Therefore, when studying your portfolio, pay attention to those weddings that are close to your ideas. This makes it much easier to hit the target and not be disappointed in the choice and the result obtained.

Let's make an appointment

A telephone conversation is definitely not enough - you are not ordering pizza! It is necessary to meet with the photographer. What if you just don't like him? This should be the person you like the most, you invite him to your wedding, you trust him with your family history: this is a very intimate moment. Never meet in a hurry! Find time to discuss everything in a calm atmosphere. It is advisable that the meeting take place during the day, in daylight, in a room where there is enough light. Ask the photographer to bring photographs to the meeting. You can ask to watch the entire shooting of one wedding or just the key moments. Tell the photographer those that you consider important for your wedding. You should not agree on more than five meetings. They should take place as soon as possible from each other. This will give you a chance to more accurately compare your impressions.

Wedding photographer portfolio: what to look for?

A good portfolio should be a hallmark of professionalism and skill. But this doesn't always happen. What will you see in the portfolio if you pick it up? Many, many beautiful pictures from various weddings, maximum 2-3 from each. It would seem impressive! But out of 1000 shots taken during one holiday, there will definitely be a couple of successful shots that can be shared. No, we are not saying that this always happens! But you must admit that it is possible.

How to protect yourself in this case? Select the photos that caught your eye and ask to see the entire series from that wedding. This way you will reveal the photographer’s capabilities and understand how interesting he is to you.

If a specialist finds a lot of excuses not to do this, it’s better to forget about cooperation. If the answer is yes, try to evaluate the professionalism. A good photograph should not contain anything unnecessary or distracting. For example:

Unnecessary minor details.
Little things that spoil the surroundings.
Poor angles that distort body proportions.
“Lapped” horizon.
Unnatural skin colors and landscapes.
Excessive retouching that turns people's faces into mannequin masks.

What's next

So, what to look for when a wedding photographer is selected? There are several criteria, let’s look at them point by point.

Portfolio

It is by the totality of high-quality photos that touch you, respond with a sense of admiration and the desire to bring them to life that you should be guided. Don’t choose a master based on just one masterpiece shot. Note for yourself how much the author places emphasis and pays attention to details that are important to you.

Note for yourself the quality of retouching and processing of each photo. Flawless photographs with the most natural processing are relevant at any time. Remember that your family album will be viewed by your children and grandchildren many years from now.

Personal communication

Meet with the master in a relaxed atmosphere. Feel how comfortable you are in his company, because you will have to pose all day, and for successful photos you need lightness and relaxation. In addition, this stranger will witness the personal moments of your life, the sincerity of feelings and emotions.

Answer yourself these questions: Is the master pleasant to you? Does he support your ideas and desires? Does he understand what you want? If you answered “yes” to all questions, move on.

How does a wedding photographer work?

And now we get to the point. Very often, brides are interested in: how should a wedding photographer work - alone or with an assistant? From a functional point of view, it is more convenient to work in tandem with an assistant who will take on the lighting work and notice small but important details. But practice shows that most specialists work alone. Thanks to their experience and “trained eye,” they independently cope with their responsibilities, showing aerobatics!

Needless to say, wedding photography is a very labor-intensive process? At the festival, the specialist works in two directions: staged shots and reporting. To do this, he uses a variety of styles, such as: photojournalism, classics, artistic photography, shooting emotions and movements. These are all fundamentally different genres in which you need to be a real ace. After all, a wedding lasts not an hour or two, but practically the whole day. Sudden situations will require quick reactions and high stress tolerance. A good pro understands that good photos for his clients are memories that will last a lifetime. There will be no second attempt! At the same time, he knows by heart those moments that must be included in the wedding album.

In addition, you have to shoot during the day and evening. This means that you cannot do without special equipment - additional lighting, reflectors, etc. The photographer must not only have everything he needs with him, but also be able to use it all correctly.

Advice from YesYes : don’t ask to see “run” photos on the camera display. An intermediate option is unlikely to impress you, but it can ruin your mood.

About competitors

The other day I heard a conversation in a cafe at the next table. Two clerks are sitting, and one says to the other: “I know how to quickly make money. You rent a good camera for three thousand for a day, rent a wedding for twenty, now is the season. And the difference is yours.” Well, actually, it’s clear how he films. But with the current level of technology development, this will do for an unpretentious client. And so, working part-time on weekends, all these “white-collar workers” earn as much in three days as they would in twenty in the office, so you can understand them.

In general, the market is very tough. Competition among photographers is high in any industry, but for wedding vendors it is simply off the charts. Everyone hates each other, tries to set him up, showdowns in the style of the nineties. Top wedding vendors invest a lot of money in advertising. There are also all sorts of competitions and prizes - all this, of course, is bought and sold. It's all very harsh.

How much does a wedding photographer cost?

I would like to note right away: a good photographer is rarely “cheap”. And there are at least three reasons for this:

1 Professional photographic equipment is a very expensive tool. If you don’t believe me, look at the prices of ordinary “DSLRs”. Add lenses, filters, lighting devices and keep in mind that all this does not last forever. Periodic updating of equipment is an integral part of the work process.

2 When the wedding ends, the photographer's work continues. He will have to look through the entire series of photos taken, remove defects, process them, and retouch them. All this takes time, which, logically, should be paid for.

3 A photographer is a person who will preserve your memories! High-quality photographs, years later, will help you again and again immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an exciting holiday.

One option for getting a great photographer who costs more than your budget allows is to hire him part-time. Usually this is shooting a mural and walking. And in the restaurant you already take pictures with your phones and your cameras (surely someone will have one). This is a completely reasonable option.

In general, wedding photography is something you shouldn’t skimp on. It’s better to take a look at our Discounts section, select the “Photographers” Category - perhaps there will be a professional waiting for you there who is available on your date.

Questions before studio shooting

Shooting in a studio is very different from shooting in natural light. To ensure that your shots turn out beautiful and you are satisfied with the photographer’s work, do not forget to ask him the following questions:

How is the studio equipped? Is it possible to redo something to suit the client’s specific wishes?

Most often, studios have everything you need - lighting, shooting equipment, background canvases, thematic props. However, if you want to add a touch of exclusivity to the photographer’s usual work and arrange to add some of your own touches, discuss this point in advance.

Is it possible to do without professional makeup and hair?

Clarify whether it is possible to retouch imperfections or errors in makeup, or whether everything must be perfect from the very beginning. The fact is that under the bright lights of a professional photo studio, a face without makeup can look dull and unnatural.

Are only “staged” photos possible in the studio?

In theory, everything depends on the photographer and the theme of the photo shoot. Often it is in the studio that excellent photos in the “photo report” style are obtained. If you don’t really like posing, discuss this issue with the photographer in advance.

What do you need to know about cameras and other photography equipment?

“Oh, your borscht is so delicious, what kind of pots do you cook it in?” Photography pros like to answer this joke when asked what cameras they use to take great photos. Let's figure out whether equipment is so important and what you need to know about it. Our firm opinion is that talent, experience and enthusiasm play a more important role in taking great photos than equipment. However, a minimum of knowledge of photographic equipment can be useful.

Cameras

Almost all professionals prefer to work with full-frame devices. These are cameras with a large matrix, which allows you to take better pictures. At the moment, the most popular camera models among professionals are Canon 5d mark2, Canon 5d mark3, as well as Nikon D800 and D600 (although there are other worthy models from different brands). Question: what if you like a photographer who uses a non-full frame camera? Here's what we recommend: be sure to ask for a full series of photos from the wedding! Study them carefully to see if everything is OK with focus and quality in general. Ask about a spare tube! If everything suits you, then you can approve it. And don't forget that you have a trump card to count on the best price.

Lenses

Hmm, well, here we will advise you to think even less. Let's put it this way: if a photographer uses a professional camera, then most likely he has the appropriate lenses.

Advice from YesYes

Trust us, a photographer’s portfolio speaks much better about the quality of his work than a list of equipment (which, in fact, you know little about). We strongly advise you to carefully study the complete series of photographs from weddings, and not individual successful shots from the Portfolio. Be sure to ask about a spare set of equipment: a spare camera and an extra battery.

Tips for choosing the right one

Choosing a photographer, a true professional in his field, who meets exactly your needs is very difficult.

The task is further complicated by the enormous competition in the photography services market. One advertisement is more tempting than another, photographers vying with each other to offer services and demonstrate their work in the most favorable light. In such diversity, anyone will get lost.

But you still have to decide. To do this, you need to have a clear idea of your own wedding and what kind of pictures you want to get in the end. When you get your thoughts in order, start taking action.

Tips on how to choose a wedding photographer are below.

Rely on several factors, for example: word of mouth. This method, although a little rustic, is the most reliable. The fame of a good master is passed on from mouth to mouth and spreads very quickly. Chat with friends and acquaintances who recently got married, let them share with you their impressions of their photographer. Study their wedding album, ask about the specialist’s personality and his style of work. Perhaps everything will suit you, and the photographer will suit your couple.
Reviews. There are many Internet sites on which newlyweds leave their reviews about the work of this or that wedding specialist. If you have identified a range of potential contractors after reviewing their portfolio, look for reviews of their activities. This way you will additionally protect yourself from unqualified specialists, and possibly from scammers.
Personality of the photographer. It's time to call the master and make an appointment. By the way, find out about prices by phone, perhaps you won’t have to waste time on a meeting. Check right away about the date - in case your wedding day is already booked by the master.
Portfolio. Only his portfolio can tell about the quality of a photographer’s work. Basically, all specialists have their own pages on social networks or websites where they post their own work.

By the way, about the portfolio. Choose a professional who specializes only in wedding photography. After all, there are a lot of nuances in this matter - you need to know how to properly “place yourself” in the registry office, what to pay special attention to, how to build a crowd of guests and much more. A portrait or landscape painter may fail to cope with this task and miss the necessary moments.

A wedding photographer has the skills of reportage, artistic, and portrait photography - a real “one-man orchestra”. He quickly navigates in any situation and in any weather conditions.

Each photographer has his own “handwriting”. If his portfolio contains mostly classic shots, and you would like something like that, then continue your search. If you liked most of the photos posted in the albums, perhaps you have found “your” master.

Before choosing a photographer for your wedding, pay attention not only to the style of his photos, but also to their quality – processing, light, people’s faces, and more. Keep in mind that the portfolio contains the best, in the opinion of the author, photos.

It’s good if there are a lot of photographs in the portfolio and they are all diverse: taken in different locations (in the studio and on the street, in a restaurant and a registry office), in different weather conditions, staged and reportage, emotional and particular. It’s good if the albums are conceptual, interesting, and viewing them captivates the user. This way you will receive the most complete information about the photographer’s work experience and his capabilities.

Most likely, already during the first conversation you will understand whether the person is right for you or not. Personal compatibility, mutual understanding, comfort in communication are extremely important. Pay attention to how confident and calm the interlocutor behaves - these qualities are indispensable when working. Ask him questions.

Answers must be specific and complete. If the master “floats” and speaks in general phrases, doubt his professionalism. Sign the contract only if you have no doubt about the identity of the photographer.

Important! Start looking for a photographer a few months before your wedding. If the celebration is planned for spring-summer (the hottest season), then good photographers may be “busy” already in January. Also pay attention to how to choose the right florist and decorator.

What is included in the services of a wedding photographer?

As a rule, wedding photography services are offered in several packages. You can choose to photograph just 2-4 hours of the event or order a photographer for the whole day: from morning preparations to serving the wedding cake. The most popular option is the standard package, which includes getting ready for the bride, the wedding ceremony and a walk with the guests.

The specialist takes on the reportage and production photography of your holiday, after which he removes defects, color corrects all photos (in simple words, prepares them for printing) and retouches several dozen selected frames. The exact number of processed photos is an individual figure. It depends on the amount of work and the selected package of services.

As a bonus, you can get a musical slideshow and a discount on a photo book or love story shoot.

Communication after the wedding

The work with the photographer does not end when the wedding cake is cut. The wedding day has passed, and the agonizing wait for photos lies ahead. Typically, photo processing time is several months. It is important to find out in advance, or even better, to specify in the contract the time during which the photos will be processed. This means that you shouldn’t write to the photographer and delay him ahead of schedule. The more respectful you are of his work, the more pleasant the result will be!

How many photos does a wedding photographer give?

It is simply impossible to answer this question with a single figure. The duration of photography is important here, because the number of photographs that can be taken in 2 hours and in 10 is fundamentally different. Generally speaking, you will receive 500-1000 photographs recorded on digital media (most likely in JPEG format) and approximately 30-50 retouched photos with deep processing.

And one more point that we would like to touch on is the sources. They often become a stumbling block in communication between the photographer and the newlyweds. And all because the bride and groom do not fully understand the word “source”. Most people think that these are the same beautiful photos that they see in the album and which the specialist blatantly “squeezed” due to his unpleasant nature. In fact, everything is somewhat different.

Photo sources can be compared to photographic film negatives. These are very “heavy” files in RAW or NEF format, which require special programs and certain specialized knowledge to work with. Essentially, this is “raw” material that needs to be processed. Now let's think about whether the photographer is interested in having the intermediate result of his work visible? Or, even worse, did your own, hastily processed photographs, which were originally taken “exclusively for the family archive,” become replete with social networks or forums? So you can be left with a damaged reputation and without a single client. Therefore, at first glance, a banal reluctance to give away photos turns out to be completely justified by logic and ordinary professional ethics.

But, despite this, it is quite possible to obtain the treasured sources. True, they are paid separately from the photo session and in the amount that the specialist wishes. Thus, he waives all rights to his work and personal interest. Situations like this don’t happen often, but they do happen. This happens by prior agreement, within the framework of a cooperation agreement.

Summary

You act as a real employer. First look at the portfolio: - Do you like it? Let's stay and watch further! Pay attention to who the photographer is photographing, are they real couples? Maybe they're just models. This way you can understand how much experience the photographer has, whether he has been in business, whether he has photographed real weddings.

Project any portfolio onto your reality. You should not rely on photo sessions done in the Maldives if you plan to take photographs, say, in Moscow. Look for a photographer who knows how to effectively fit the bride and groom into the city landscape.

It's worth reading the photographer's biography. There, as a rule, you will find information about his education, the equipment he uses and all kinds of awards. Another stage has been completed. Now select 5-7 photographers you like. It's time to chat.

Deadlines: when will you receive the finished photos?

Any good work takes time, which means you shouldn’t wait for photos a week after the wedding. You don’t want your photos to be processed “hot hand”, do you? After the holiday, all emotions will subside and a fresh look will appear. Well, if you trust the statistics and our experience, the vast majority of specialists try to meet deadlines of up to 2 months. However, depending on the season, this figure may change.

Why is a contract needed?

For your own peace of mind and compliance with all agreements. The agreement provides good discipline and helps resolve financial issues. With it, you will eliminate situations such as “I didn’t hear” or “I didn’t understand,” and also clearly state the cost of services and the amount of prepayment. In addition, the contract specifies the number of photographs, the timing of their production, the responsibilities of the parties and passport data. Here you can clarify the question of the sources: are they transferred to the couple or remain with the photographer.

If you record all verbal agreements on paper, there will be a greater chance that no one will confuse or forget anything. As a rule, specialists have their own contract, but if desired, you can adjust it to your own opinion.

Deadlines

The young family is eager to see the footage taken on their magical day as soon as possible. Their impatience is understandable, but when processing material, especially such a unique one, speed equals loss of quality. There are a lot of photos, and I want them to be truly beautiful. So when can you look at your holiday from the outside?

At least in 2-3 weeks, if it is not the summer season and the photographer has free time. Typically, the terms and media on which the images are transmitted are stipulated in the contract.

What to ask a wedding photographer before your wedding?

What time does his working day start and end?
If additional services are needed, at what rate will they have to be paid?
The question of transportation - will it be a taxi, personal transport or your wedding procession?

Discuss all organizational aspects so that on the holiday you fully enjoy the emotions, and the photographer can calmly concentrate on his work.

Where to start searching

First you need to determine what scenes and moments you would like to shoot. You also need to determine the types of shots the couple wants to get. If you see a ceremony in a thematic format, dynamic shots or with a touch of humor, it is better to use reportage style shooting than calm fine art.

There is no need to immediately choose one candidate you like. If you have time, hold face-to-face meetings with several specialists, communicate, find out how suitable this or that person is. Whatever recommendations from your friends you wouldn’t hear, if you don’t like your previous works, you won’t like your next ones either.

Fact: a good photographer who shoots in any style is a myth. You shouldn’t trust your photos to someone who takes pictures of everything.

Photo by Masha Doiban (Odessa)

What are photographers offended by?

Believe it or not, photographers can seriously “sulk” at you if you don’t simply feed them. Oh yes, feeding a photographer is so simple and logical at first glance, but it is often forgotten in the bustle. Believe me, we hear such complaints from photographers more than once. Work is work, but everyone needs food. Don't forget, a photographer is not a robot! Working all day without rest or a snack is extremely exhausting, and this can directly affect the quality of your photos and the future attitude towards you. It would not be amiss to say that similar humanity applies to other specialists who have been involved in weddings for a long time.

Result

Think about what you would like to receive? After the wedding, the photographer can give you a disk or flash drive with the footage, or you can order a photo book. If you want a disc with photos: find out how many frames the photographer ultimately gives away. It is very important to remember that the main thing is not quantity, but quality. Therefore, do not be upset or alarmed if the photographer is not ready to give away all the photographs that were taken at your wedding. A photographer values his reputation; it is not profitable for him to give away absolutely everything. There is always someone who posts these photos on the Internet: it doesn’t matter that the shot is bad, but I turned out well here. This ruins the photographer's reputation. By the way, it doesn’t do you any credit either. And it doesn't have any value at all. Remember how you once came to visit friends, and they sat you down to watch a home video of “how we went to Egypt.” An hour and a half film that is uninteresting even to those who made it. Admit it, you were terribly bored. Don’t force your friends to watch an endless number of albums on social networks - “Our wedding. Part 6". Professionals do not always retouch all the frames that they then send. And this needs to be discussed in advance. Perhaps the photographer will only take ten of the best photos from the entire shoot. And here again the main thing is quality. But you can print these ten photos in large size.

What should a wedding photographer look like?

Neat, practical, not too flashy and most importantly - in accordance with the style of your wedding. A true professional does his job, but at the same time remains invisible to others. To catch good angles, he may find himself in not entirely comfortable positions and places. Sometimes you have to squat, jump, run, bend over. Therefore, practicality is the main tool here. But no one is talking about a stretchy tank top or colorful Hawaiian shorts. Unless, of course, it's a Hawaiian party.

For a small, cozy wedding, jeans and a polo T-shirt or a classic sweater are suitable, and for a more formal reception, dark trousers and a shirt (not necessarily white). If you have any thoughts about how the wedding photographer should be dressed for your event, feel free to discuss it. But be prepared for the fact that a specialist will have his own preferences, quirks and a certain style of work.

If you want a photo book

The photographer should know before the wedding that you want to receive a photo book as a result. Then he will take photographs specifically for this format: then a difficult task awaits him - to compose it into a single work. Photos should be in the same style and tell a story. Ask to bring ready-made books to the meeting, look, touch, understand - is this what you want?

Where to find a wedding photographer?

Of course, on YesYes ! We represent all the wedding market professionals. Each photographer undergoes moderation for the authorship of photographs in the Portfolio. We offer you 3 ways to choose a suitable candidate:

1 Catalog - short portfolios and entire wedding stories from photographers in your city, current prices for services, as well as real reviews from brides.

2 Wedding application (Tender) - your announcement of the search for a specialist for a specific date, your requirements and preferences, as well as the amount that you are willing to give to “your” specialist.

3 Promotions section - announcements from real professionals who are ready to provide Discounts on free days, or give a nice bonus to newlyweds in the form of a Photo Book as a gift.

Plus, all Approved Transactions on YesYes are included in the monthly Giveaway! The work of a photographer is not cheap these days, so a 50% discount on payment for his services will come in handy. Thus, you can “kill two birds with one stone” - find a good specialist and receive a financial bonus! Sounds tempting, doesn't it?

We hope that our short guide to choosing the perfect wedding photographer will help you find a true wedding photography guru with ease! Let the holiday be bright, and the photos lively and emotional!

Photography during the wedding ceremony

1. The main thing is to take your time. Try to do everything slowly, this will allow the photographer to take as many pictures as possible in order to select the best ones later. Don't turn away from the photographer.

2. When entering the ceremonial registration hall (meaning the registry office or the place of on-site registration), smile and try to look at each other or straight ahead (and not to the sides, and not at the ceiling). A tip for brides is to hold the dress to avoid tripping over the hem.

3. When you sign your marriage certificate, do not lean too low on the table or cabinet. When your significant other signs, don’t forget that you are also in the frame. Smile as you watch your other half sign.

4. When putting on the wedding rings, turn your hands towards the photographer. If the wedding ring suddenly gets tighter, don’t pay attention to it - smile and continue to put the ring on.