4 Things That Don't Matter When Choosing your Wedding Photographer
We started doing wedding photography to be the progressive, feminist option in a very traditional industry, and over the years we’ve realized that there are some things that just don’t matter when you’re trying to find the right photographer for you and your boo. Other advice articles about finding the right wedding photographer give you laundry lists of things to worry about, so here are four things that you can stop caring about right now! You’re welcome.
1. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT WORDS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS USE TO DESCRIBE THEIR STYLE
Words are just words, and you’re looking for someone who creates images that make you FEEL something. Who cares if they call themselves “classic,” “photojournalistic” or “high fashion”? Anyone can call themselves anything on the internet. Look at lots of work and take note of photos that make you stop scrolling.
2. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT TYPE OF GEAR THEY HAVE
Do you really care if someone shoots Nikon, Canon, Fuji, or Sony? Probably not. Instead you should consider whether or not they’re running their business right. Do they have a professional email and website? Do they create official contracts and invoices? Are they insured? When you request a full wedding gallery, do they send you a link to a gallery site or use Dropbox?
3. IT DOESN’T MATTER IF THEY ARE “FULL TIME”
Here’s an industry secret: there’s a lot of debate as to what being a “full time” photographer means. Does it mean you don’t have a day job, or that you shoot a certain number of weddings per year?? We don’t believe that having a Day Job makes someone any less of a photographer. As long as their past clients are thrilled with their photos and experience, their photos make you feel something (see #1) and they’re running a real business (see #2), who cares if they only shoot ten weddings a year?
4. IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW MANY FOLLOWERS OR LIKES THEY HAVE
The only “like” that matters is whether or not you and your future spouse like them, and can see yourselves spending the entire wedding day with them. Do they have 20K+ followers but they’re super Trumpy and don’t shoot LGBTQ couples? Give your money to someone else. Finding a photographer who is friendly, cool under pressure, encouraging, and politically aligned is way more valuable than being photographed by someone whose work seems great but who makes you feel awkward.
