Of all the choices you will make regarding your wedding day, few are more important than your choice of wedding photographer (with the exception, of course, of your choice of spouse!).
You may eventually forget what was served at dinner, or what favors you gave out, but your photographs will be preserved and treasured for years to come. These images don’t just capture the memories and emotions of the day, they will help tell your love story to future generations.
So, it makes sense that choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important vendor decisions you can make.
This isn’t just the person (or people) whose creative lens will capture your special day, but the wedding vendor(s) who will be at your side during the most pivotal moments. Their personality, customer service, and artistic vision are all equally important!
We’ve put together our top tips on how to choose a wedding photographer.
Corbin and Jack’s wedding reception at The Treasury on the Plaza | Photo by Stout Studios
1. Select Your Wedding Venue
For most couples, it’s best to book your venue before you book your photographer.
The venue you choose may dictate the style of photography you select for your big day. If you’re getting married at an outdoor garden venue, you might go in search of a photographer who captures light and airy images, whereas an indoor venue with dramatic architecture might push you toward a photographer with a more cinematic or artistic style.
Some photographers naturally match well with specific venues—perhaps because their photography style is cohesive or because they work well with the venue team. Many wedding venues have a list of required or preferred vendors that includes these photographers.
Here at The Treasury on the Plaza, we’ve created a list of preferred vendors that lists some of our most popular photographers. You aren’t required to choose one of these “preferred” vendors from our list; however, the vendors listed have worked extensively at our venue and we trust them to give the highest quality photos and experience for your wedding day.
By booking your wedding venue first, your photographer is also able to guarantee availability and hold your date on their calendar. In fact, one of the first questions a prospective photographer will ask you is your wedding date and location.
If you have a specific photographer you have to work with, it never hurts to reach out to them to confirm availability before selecting a date at your preferred venue.
Jordan and Steve said “I do” at The Treasury on the Plaza in St. Augustine | Photo by Angelita Esparar
2. Research Your Photography Style
Once you have locked in your wedding venue and location, it’s important to do some research to get a better sense of the style of photography you are looking for.
For example, do you prefer a fine art approach? Deep, moody tones? Do you want to keep things light and airy? This will help narrow down your choices and not waste your time interviewing.
We recently caught up with Jessica and Kara of Stout Studios in Jacksonville, Florida to give us firsthand insight into what couples need to focus on during their photographer search.
Pro Tip From Stout Studios
“When selecting a photographer for your wedding, I think it’s less important to worry about what words are used to describe a style. It’s more important to learn how they approach the wedding. What are their goals for you? What do they value most about photography? Is it moments or styled portraits? Does that align with what you want for your wedding? Words, like photography, can be subjective. A couple should focus on how the work makes them feel.”
Also, don’t forget to ask your friends for recommendations or browse social media to get a better look at different wedding photography portfolios. Once you figure out your aesthetic, it will be much easier to pick photographers who line up with that look and feel.
Make sure to check out our Treasury on the Plaza photo galleries and Instagram for inspiration for your St. Augustine wedding. (Photographer names are listed in the captions for each photo!)
Heather and Chris’ wedding reception entrance at The Treasury on the Plaza | Photo by Stout Studios
3. Reach Out to Photographers
Once you have a few photographer options in mind, contact each of them to learn more about their availability, rates, and portfolio. Once you receive responses, you can begin to choose who you would like to set up in-person or virtual meetings with.
Photographers will usually share examples of their past work, discuss their process in detail, and answer any questions you have. Stout Studios mentions to not just look for “pretty imagery” but also pay attention to their skills:
“I would encourage couples to look through each portfolio carefully looking for variety. Variety in the types of couples photographed, including size, ethnicity, as well as diversity in location. I would say the number one tool a photographer can bring to your wedding is experience and diversity in their craft.”
Photographer Jessica Stout VanTassel of Stout Studios gives a bride direction on how to pose for her wedding photos | Photo by Stout Studios
4. Meet With Your Top Photographers In-Person or Virtually
While you will likely receive a wedding photographer’s pricing guide when you inquire through email, it’s important to have a more in-depth conversation with them to discuss your options and determine if they are the right fit.
Make sure to clarify what is included in the photography package options. Some photographers have flat-rate pricing, tiered packages, or custom a la carte pricing. Get an understanding of what a typical wedding day looks like for the photographer and their team. Ask about deliverables after the wedding, such as wedding albums, prints, high-resolution digital images, USBs, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Jessica of Stout Studios shares her advice for interviewing photographers:
“If I had one piece of advice to give couples when interviewing a photographer, it would be this: ask the photographer to tell you about one of their favorite weddings they’ve ever photographed and why. Then, follow that up by asking what was the most challenging wedding they’ve photographed and why.”
Here are a few additional questions to ask your photographer regarding pricing:
- How long will the photographer spend with me on the wedding day?
- Is there a charge for a late or early start to the day?
- What upgrade options are available?
- Is a second shooter included in this pricing?
Photographer Angelita Esparar shared another pro tip for couples when making the final decision on a wedding photographer:
PRO TIP FROM Angelita Esparar
“A great way to see if a photographer is a good fit for your wedding day is to book them for an engagement session. You can get to know each other better, see how your personalities mesh, and generally get a preview of what being together on your wedding day might be like. Doing the engagement session before booking helps you make sure that is a good fit before you are locked in to booking them for your wedding day.”
Esparar shared that every photographer’s pricing for an engagement session is different, typically based on how long the shoot will be and how far the photographer needs to travel.
An engagement photo session can be a really fun activity for you and your partner, and help you get comfortable in front of the camera. Having professional photographs can also be oh-so-useful when it comes time to create your wedding website and Save the Dates!
But what if you are having a destination wedding, and are unable to travel to meet with your wedding photographer or do an engagement session in person? Angelita Esparar shared the following advice:
“Many of my couples are planning destination weddings in St. Augustine. If they aren’t able to meet with local photographers in person, I highly recommend doing a virtual call on Zoom or Facetime!”
Tatiana and Zachary took engagement photos in St. Augustine with photographer Angelita Esparar
5. Trust Your Gut when Choosing your Wedding Photographer
Once you and your fiancé have had a chance to interview each photographer, it’s time to make a decision. Usually, wedding photographers will only hold your date for a certain amount of time, so don’t hesitate for too long!
When making the final decision, ask yourselves:
- Did our personalities work well together?
- Were we comfortable around them?
- Does their style match our tastes and or overall wedding style?
- Did their pricing work for our budget?
- Are the package options the right fit for our needs?
Ultimately, go with your gut and you can’t go wrong with this decision!
Yelidangela and James’ first dance at The Treasury on the Plaza | Photo by Stout Studios
6. Capture Your Day
Figuring out how to choose a wedding photographer can be intimidating, but this guide should make your vendor selection a little bit easier.
If you’re getting married at The Treasury on the Plaza or our sister property, the Lightner Museum, view our vendor guide for some of our top recommended wedding photographers in the St. Augustine area. If you haven’t yet selected your venue, contact us today to schedule a tour! And if you’re not sure if you have the budget to hire your dream photographer, we put together these tips on how to save money on your wedding.
