Tell Them Apart: Five Clues to The Best Wedding Photographers

Regardless of where you would have your wedding or what kind of wedding you plan, you deserve a great wedding photographer.

Besides, being a great wedding photographer is not just about taking the most beautiful pictures because many established photographers take Pinterest-worthy images. When it comes to wedding photography, it is about the details, attention, timing, angles, coverage, and editing skills.

The photographer needs to be able to take images of the bride’s father stuffing his face, the groom’s mother dancing, the bridesmaids laughing, and the couple having their first kiss. Even the guests, the wedding decorations, and the buffet table should also get attention.

So how can you ensure that a wedding photographer is the best? Here’s how you can tell the great ones apart from the not-so-great ones.

The Photographer Has a Niche

Suppose you come by a photographer that does wedding photography with senior photography, kids, family, events, shows, products, graphic design, video editing, production, and many other things. Odds are, you might be entering into a mistake. While it is entirely okay for a wedding photographer to take on add-ons like portrait photography, it becomes bizarre when the photographer adds other photography careers including scientific photography, architecture photography, documentary, or even pet photography.

Why? Wedding images require a particular type of related but different skill set; mixing this with other add-ons would mean the photographer is not fully invested in your photos. Is that what you want?

The Photographer Possess a Unique Editing Style

The only way to know whether a wedding photographer works or not for you is when you ask about their editing style or editing approach. For some, it is “true to color” with little or no added filters. There is also “bold and vibrant”, “light and airy” or even “dark and moody” editing style.

While these styles could be unique to the photographer, they must have one, and most importantly, the photographer should know it.

Photos Should Bear Feelings

Many photographers have stunning wedding portfolios littered with thousands of wedding photos from previous clients. Indeed, these photos would be amazing to look at – else, they won’t be uploaded onto their website. But more is needed for a photo to look good. When it comes to wedding images, it also needs to feel good. If you find yourself scrolling through the images and don’t feel anything, the photographer is not the best for you.

When you scroll past the smiling bride, you should feel the happiness that the bride feels on her wedding day. Some spend minutes staring at a wedding photo of the guests, not looking at anything in particular but imagining how joyous the event must have felt for each of the attendees. That’s what the pictures should do to you. If their past projects don’t carry meaning or bear feelings, your wedding photos with them would also be just that – mere images.

The Photographer Must Be Experienced

Another essential key area that tells whether a wedding photographer is one of the best is the experience level. Truly, there are some rare case scenarios where photographers with just three years of experience shoot better than a photographer with 50 years of experience. However, you can agree that there must be some sort of experience. A person cannot just take up their camera today, shoot a wedding and immediately become the best. It does not work that way.

Whether it is two years of taking wedding photos for friends or ten years as a professional wedding photographer, there needs to be a level of familiarity with the job.

Also, note that it isn’t just about the years, but the number of weddings covered. If a photographer with three years of experience has covered ten weddings and another photographer, who claims to have twenty years of experience, has only covered two weddings, you know in your heart the right person for you.

Reviews Help Too

Some photographers fake the reviews on their website, so that might not be a great place to start, but you can surely check online forums and related sites for recommended wedding photographers. Some websites like TripAdvisor, Wedding Wire, The Knot, or even Google Business can also guide you to the best wedding photographer near you.

Conclusion

A wedding is an overwhelming event to plan. So, you shouldn’t put so much effort into planning the perfect day, only to have a not-so-good photographer ruin your memories. Investing in the best wedding photographer might be costly – you should know that. But with this list, you can easily filter out the ones that might not meet your needs, and you’ll be guaranteed a lovely turnout. So good luck finding the perfect camera hands and enjoy your wedding!

Planning an Elopement? Here are Five Great Spots

Not everyone is into the massive celebration of a traditional wedding. Indeed, it is a lovely event, but some people, for whatever reason, prefer to go somewhere far and magical and celebrate love with their partners in an intimate manner. If this sounds like you, then you’d love to know that there are some places that are just too awesome for elopement weddings.

So, if you wish to have a peek into these locations, with some images of the place, and some must-dos, keep reading.

Big Sur, California

If you haven’t ever been to the Big Sur, you sure are missing out on a lot. This completely natural scenery is not just beautiful, it is for the adventurous couple. While you can have your wedding along the dramatic and rugged coastline, you can also enjoy your romantic getaway on the cliffs. Even beach lovers would certainly find an awesome place in this elopement spot. When you have the time, you and your loved one could enjoy each other’s company while walking along the forest and hill trails. You can also visit McWay Falls or stargaze with your loved ones at night. It’s the total package.

Chugach Mountains, Alaska

This is truly the spot for mountains. So, if you love the rocky view, this is a great recommendation. But the Chugach mountains are more than just plain old rocks and hills. For it to be one of our most awesome elopement spots in the world, you sure can expect more. In this same spot, you can have the green mountains and those covered in white, icy snow. At the same time, there are creeks, rivers, lakes, alps, valleys, and waterfalls – all of which makes for the most romantic setting for your wedding.

The Poconos, Pennsylvania

The Poconos is another spectacular scenery for the adventurous couple. But unlike the Chugach Mountains, where there’s a big possibility that you’ll run into other people – here, it is all about you and your special partner.

The places you can decide to have a lovely, romantic, and intimate wedding include on the beautiful, rustic wooden bridge over the waterfall, in the rocky valley, or even at the peaceful Lake Harmony.

Joshua Tree, California

It’s not just the Big Sur that’s awe-inspiring in California. Even Joshua Tree National Park is a wide span of land with numerous sceneries for the most romantic and memorable wedding. There are rocky fascinations with different rocks shaped like a skull, a penguin, an arch, and even a heart. Besides rocks, there is also a glorious and purely magical dam named the Barker Dam, which has the right blend of colors and natural elements. In the same light, the cholla cactus garden gives a desert view with a touch of intimacy.

Joshua Tree National Park still has a few more jaw-dropping spots, but these are just the few that are great for an elopement wedding.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The last, but certainly not the least of all the spots, is Las Vegas. Though many used to believe Las Vegas is the place for quick weddings, mostly with no attachments. In this case, we’ll switch things over.

Not only is Las Vegas one of the most awesome spots in the world. It is also the most romantic region for the most intimate ceremonies. One of these regions is the Red Rock Canyon. Located within the Mojave Desert, the canyon is one of nature’s gifts to the region. Filled with rocks and a picture-worthy valley with scattered grass, this view will make your wedding even more of a bomb.

There is another canyon, the high canyon. But if you wish to step away from the canyons, Las Vegas features the colorful high rollers in the city. While you can always take the ride after your wedding, pictures in front of the wheel are pretty.

Finally, the sky-pod is the most thrilling and exciting spot to visit. You could be lucky to feature some fireworks action on your big day.

Conclusion

If you love the beach and the coastline, visit Big Sur, and if you are more of a mountaintop-kind-of couple, the Chugach Mountains are waiting for you. But don’t forget that the latter also features creeks, rivers, and breathtaking lake views.

When it comes to the Poconos, it is the home of the green. Waterfalls and lovely rocky valleys make up the green scenery of the Pennsylvania Wonder. Plus, it is a place for the kind of couple that love quiet time. The same goes for the Joshua Tree National Park, which is more than just mountains or rocks. The desert view also features some impressive and jaw-dropping architecture that you must just visit.

Finally, take your wedding to Las Vegas and enjoy the fireworks or colorful rides. But know that whichever place you decide to have your wedding, as long as it is with the person you love, it’ll be perfect!

Ask These Questions Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer

Most people love weddings. Whether it is the cake, the music, the decor, the food, or even the bride’s dress – there is always something to look forward to at weddings. But so much goes into the background before any wedding can be perfect. One of these elements includes the wedding photographer.

When you hire a great wedding photographer, you can be sure that all the work you put into this special day can be remembered forever. On top of that, many vendors that work to make a wedding successful also look forward to the end photographs for their portfolio. So, it is not just about the couple or the family of the couple. It is about capturing the best versions of the day for everyone.

How can you pick the right wedding photographer to fulfill this role? Here are ten questions you can ask further to streamline your list and land at the top pick:

Are you free on my wedding day?

If you are working with top photographers, there is a big chance someone has already booked them for another wedding on your date. So it’ll be a bummer if you already paid and then you ask for a refund before proper inquiries. Ask the photographer if they’d be available on your wedding date for the number of hours you wish to pay for.

How many other weddings will you photograph that weekend?

It is not enough to be available on that date; you also need to know if they can give you complete attention. It is the same when the photographer is not around, and you have a fraction of the attention. You will get fewer details, and even the images will turn out differently.

Will you be the one shooting my wedding?

You must be sure of who you will see at your wedding, including the photographer. If the person you met won’t be the one shooting, ask if you can meet the photographer who will be on-site.

Will you have any assistants with you on our wedding day?

Assistants could improve things, but if the photographer you wish to work with does not need or ask for assistants, that is not a wrong choice. The only thing is that you need to be sure that the photographer can genuinely handle the wedding without assistants; or that the assistant, if any, is as good as the main photographer.

Have You Shot at Our Venue Before? If Not, Are You Willing to Check Out the Venue in Advance?

When it comes to wedding photography, it is not just about the people or the items; it is also about the location and the ability to use the background to take a memorable photo. If the photographer has visited the venue before, everything is okay because they would have known the excellent spots for wedding photos. But if the photographer hasn’t been there before, invite them over.

Are you okay working with our wedding planner?

If you’d be having a wedding planner on board or any other vendor, it is recommended that you ask if the photographer is willing to work alongside the other vendors. There could sometimes be clashes between opinions and perspectives. But if you ask beforehand, the two can always meet to discuss the plan for the wedding and any other arrangements.

How do you work?

This is an essential question. You need to be fully aware of how the photographer takes their pictures to know if they are a good fit for you and your partner. Here are a few sub-questions that you might want to ask as well:

• Do you like to blend in with the crowd or stand out and get involved when taking pictures?
• Do you prefer candid approaches or portrait photography?
• What is your editing style like?
• Are you better with indoor or outdoor photography?
• Do you offer other services like frames, albums, films, prints, digital photos, and so on?

How much are your packages, and what do they entail?

Every photographer offers different packages. While some state them on their website, others request a consultation for a custom package. Either way, it is always best to ask so that you can be aware of what you’ll be getting. Also, ask for the price, and don’t hesitate to negotiate.

Do you have a backup plan?

You must also ask for their backup plans for equipment failure, weather changes, sudden unavailability, etc. If there is a precise backup plan, you can be sure you will get quality, no matter the situation.

Can You Share a Full Gallery of a Recent Wedding You Shot?

Despite all of these questions, asking for a catalog of photos to look at won’t hurt. When you glimpse how they shoot, you can have a mental picture of what you’ll get.

Conclusion

Though there are many other questions, these ten are the most important. With these questions, you would know if they’d be available, who would be shooting, their backup plan, how they work, if they can work with your venue, and how much everything will cost. Don’t also forget that photographers offer different services. So, compare two or more offers to choose which photographer works best for you and will make your wedding day unforgettable.

Welcome to Our Blog

Are you a bride or a groom looking for wedding photographers that will cover your big day? Are you a photographer looking for blog pages to help develop your photography skills? Are you a curious mind who loves everything about weddings and photography?

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At Online Photo Academy, we publish related content for you to educate, inform, and entertain yourselves on wedding and portrait photography topics. So, if any of the above resonates with you, you are welcome and in the right place.

Wedding Photography

Wedding photography encompasses everything that has to do with wedding coverage, including the pictures of the guests, the bride, the jewelry and shoes, the buffet table, and so much more. This kind of photography goes beyond just taking posed or indoor pictures. It is a sum of everything: indoor, outdoor, candid, posed, products, people, food, and much more. Some of our blog posts would cover pointers and tricks for photographers to master the art of wedding photography.

Portrait Photography

Portrait photography aims to show a person’s unique character, personality, and vibrancy by combining great photography skills and posing techniques. Though wedding photography also requires an understanding of portrait photography, this department needs some guidance, represented in our blog posts as tips and tricks.

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Finally, our blog also caters to brides and grooms that wish to know a few things about photographers and photography. Our posts are engaging and easy to understand, even for those who do not know about photography. On top of these, there are also tips and insights into some things to note for a better working relationship with any wedding and portrait photographer.

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