Choosing a wedding photographer can be stressful. There are photos to look at, prices to evaluate, interviews to have. But these are all important parts of your decision, so take your time and use this guide to help you chose the right wedding photographer!

First check their portfolio. If you like what you see and can envision yourself in their photos then the portfolio is a good match. Make sure they show you an entire gallery so you can see the consistency and the true style from a whole wedding day. Are they:

• light and airy?
• photo-journalistic?
• dramatic?

Make sure you LOVE their style and that they are consistent throughout multiple weddings.

The next step is to interview them .This is the critical part. Your personalities have to match and you have to feel comfortable with them- you are going to embark on a very personal relationship. This person is going to be with you for the entire day and perhaps an engagement session and multiple phone calls and planning sessions. You need to jive with them and enjoy their presence. If they make you feel uncomfortable or do not seem professional they are not a good match, no matter how great their portfolio or their price point is.

Interview Your Wedding Photographer With The Best Pro Questions

Interviewing a wedding photographer can be a daunting process. What should you ask to find the right wedding photographer? Here is a guide of questions so you really get to know who you are hiring.

Instead of: Do you have a second photographer? Try: How do you cover all the aspects of our wedding?

People always assume that more is better- the more photographers you have the better photos there will be. This is simply not the case. The RIGHT photographer(s) are better. Some weddings I hire a second photographer because of the size of the wedding or the length of the day. But there are plenty of other times where all I need is an assistant who does not shoot but helps with equipment and lighting OR just one professional photographer to capture everything in an amazing way.

Instead of: Do we own the copyright to all of our images? Try: What rights do we have with our digital files?

Most wedding photographers will include digital files in their Collections. The copyright holder is the creator of the images. What you want is to be able to freely reproduce and prints those files from any company and as many times as you would like for personal use. Holding the copyright does NOT mean you can print your files, so be clear with your photographer about your intentions and make sure you are given the proper release if needed.

Instead of: Can I give you a shot list? Try: How do you decide what images should be taken and can I be a part of the decision process?

A shot list is limiting, and takes away from the creativity of the artist. Hopefully you love your wedding photographer’s portfolio and with the right questions you are getting a sense of how great he/she will be to work with- don’t stifle this professional with a list of shots you “must have”. Trust that you have hired the right person to do the job to the best of their abilities. That being said, you can certainly talk to your photographer about your needs such as family groupings etc, and if you have anything specific like a special aspect of the ceremony or a unique wedding exit that you want to make sure is captured. Communication is the key!

Instead of: How much does wedding photography cost? Try: What is included in your package?

More important than the price is what is in the package. The price could be $1000 and seem very appealing but then you come to find out that only 3 hours of coverage in in that package! That is not going to work. Although you might be on a budget, is is equally as important to have the right amount of coverage and a product like an album or digital files. Hiring a photographer based on their expertise, portfolio and package offerings will be more important than saving a few hundred dollars.

Instead of: How many hours are included? Try: Can you help us build our wedding timeline?

Photographers who have been in the wedding industry for a long time can help you build your timeline so everything you want covered is included. A pro will be able to make suggestions about timing throughout the day.

Instead of: Have you photographed at our venue before? Try: Can we see a full wedding gallery?

It is not important of a photographer has worked at your specific wedding venue before. A good pro can shoot at any venue. Look at the photo portfolio and try to envision you, your family and your guests in the photos- are they the style and vibe you are looking for?

Looking for amazing venues in Crested Butte for your wedding event? Check out my guide to Crested Butte Wedding venues and find the perfect spot for your event! Visit my Complete Guide to Wedding Photography for more info on planning a Crested Butte wedding!