I get A LOT of questions from brides, friends and even other photographers, asking about how to decide on which photographer is “better”, and who I think they should pick to document their big day …. and I usually respond with “It’s not about who is a BETTER photographer…. it’s really about WHO is a better fit FOR YOU!” In the coming weeks, as we head into high engagement season and a season where photographers start to get booked up for the next year, I want to give brides a few ideas of what to ask a photographer to make sure they are a great fit for YOU!

1. Budget – YES YES the dreaded “B” word. Ask to know their prices before you meet with them. We all know you have a budget you are hoping to stay within! So, before meeting with a photographer, find out their starting prices, or look on their websites to see if they are listed. Knowing starting prices will immediately help eliminate something that you absolutely cannot make happen, OR that will help you decide you ABSOLUTELY have to stretch your budget for them and cut out smaller things elsewhere in order to get your DREAM photographer.

2. Meet with more than ONE person – I say that to all my potential clients! How do you know what else is out there unless you meet with them, figure out their personality and if it’s the person you want to spend your entire wedding day with! Personality is a big part of working well together and making sure you can communicate well with them over the months of your engagement! Do you want a photographer who is super involved? one who will make you laugh all day? one who will be willing to climb the mountain with you? One who is a bit more quiet and behind the scenes?

3. “Can I see a full gallery please?” – Brides THIS IS A MUST!!! As photographers, we always want to put our best foot forward on social media and our websites, so of COURSE we put out our favorite shots or ones that we feel like will speak to the masses and draw in our “dream brides” to work with! So, when you are at a consult, ask the photographer to send you a link to a full gallery to see what a wedding day in it’s entirety looks like! Its so important to make sure the images are consistent in coloring, style and ability! This is a tell tale way to see if the price tag matches the work! I love to send my potential brides a full gallery because then they REALLY know what to expect when they receive their wedding gallery and expectations are set ahead of time!

I hope these tips will help make your season of engagement a bit easier and set your mind at ease of meeting with photographers! Really, we all want the SAME thing: to make sure your wedding day is documented beautifully and fully!

Finding the Perfect Photographer – FOR YOU – // Advice for Brides from Seattle Wedding Photographer Tonie Christine //