The cake is long ago eaten, the gown is packed away and the gifts are unwrapped—but your wedding photos sit smiling in frames and coffee table albums, preserving the legacy of your day. Minnesota has no shortage of great wedding photographers who can skillfully capture these memories. But with so many great choices, how do you find that perfect photographer, your wedding’s one true match? We asked some of Minnesota’s photography pros for advice on picking “the one.”
Doing Your Homework
Selecting a wedding photographer can be overwhelming. So where to start?
Begin by asking friends with similar tastes and styles for their recommendations. “Word-of-mouth recommendations are very valuable because wedding photography is so much more than technical knowledge and taking pretty pictures,” says Laura Ivanova, owner of Minneapolis-based Laura Ivanova Photography. “Wedding photographers have to be able to work with couples and large groups of people.”
Wing Ta, owner of Canary Grey Photography in Minneapolis, agrees. “Ask your friends and family, and see who they’ve liked,” she says. “Referrals go a long way in finding a good photographer.”
Hit the web to browse photographer’s websites, where you can pore over images and identify styles you love. “Photographers are storytellers. In browsing websites, if a bride gets goose bumps or pauses on a photograph for a moment longer, there is an emotional connection made,” says Andrew Vick, owner of Vick Photography in St. Louis Park. “Like any form of art, it is subjective. Find images that you love.”
Ta seconds that advice, recommending that you seek out styles that are appealing to you as a couple. “Find imagery that speaks to you,” she recommends.
Once you find a photographer who piques your interest, go beyond the featured photos. Justin Graddy, owner of Minneapolis-based Graddy Photography, recommends looking through a whole day’s worth of shots. “Viewing full galleries or albums will help you determine what the photographer is able to capture during an entire wedding day,” he says.
Of course, it’s also worth considering photographers’ experience and history. Look for any credentials on their site, positive reviews, and how long they’ve been working in the field.
Next up, determine how much you’re willing to invest in photography. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for—and wedding photography is no different. “You have one decision to do it right. If you start with an ‘average’ budget, likely it will limit expectations for your photography,” says Vick. “If you reach for the photographer you have always wanted, it can make you even more excited about the final product and experience. We have never heard of a couple wishing they hadn’t prioritized photography as high.”
Now that you’ve identified a few photographers whose work you love, it’s time to meet them in person. Narrow down your selection to two or three photographers and set up consultations with your top picks.
Meet and Greet
You may love a photographer’s work—but do you love the photographer? Like any partnership, trusting your photographer is the key to success. “Personality is huge,” says Ta. “Do you get along, do you click?” Often, the photographer will spend the most time with the bride during the wedding day, so it’s important to feel comfortable with him or her.
The initial meeting is a good time to size up your potential photographer. Discuss the vision you have for your wedding day and what you hope to get out of your photographs. This is also the time to get to know your potential photographer on a more personal level and see if you click. “When you hire a photographer, part of the investment is in a guide and an art director,” Vick says. Ask your potential photographer how they plan to direct the flow of your wedding day to ensure that they capture the moments most important to you.
“You want to make sure you trust your photographer so you don’t have to worry about managing them on your wedding day,” says Ivanova. Graddy echoes the sentiment. “You want to hire someone who makes you feel confident so that your true personalities can really shine through in your photos.”
While there are many factors to consider, sometimes it’s best to just leave the decision to instinct. “Sometimes it just feels right,” says Vick. “Trust your gut.”
The Checklist
Questions to ask when choosing your wedding photographer:
Who will be my lead photographer?
Do you work with a second photographer?
Can I see an entire day’s worth of shots?
How would you describe your style?
How do you approach wedding photography?
How long will you be present at my wedding and reception?
Can you recommend a shot list for the wedding day?
What will you do to help orchestrate the flow of the wedding day?
What is the processing time for my photos?
In what format will I receive my photos?
Can I order prints and albums from you?
Ask yourself
Is their work consistent?
Do they come highly recommended?
Can I envision myself in their pictures?
Are they a good communicator?
Do they have good ideas and recommendations?
Can I envision them interacting with our friends and family?
Do they understand our vision for the wedding day?
Do they put our minds at ease?
Do we trust them?
