Blog Post

How to Choose the Right Photographer For Your Wedding

Erin Levers • Jul 18, 2017


Your wedding may last only one day, but the photographs will last a lifetime. Picking the right photographer is the best way to ensure that your wedding photos will accurately represent your special day.

Know What You Want

Wedding photographs come in a variety of styles.

Photojournalistic pieces capture candid images with figures in action. Photojournalistic photographs may include shots of the bride interacting with bridesmaids, the groom interacting with parents and caterers setting up for the reception. These shots capture the essence of the wedding day from start to finish.

Portrait style photographs are posed and planned, capturing little or no action but all the beauty and splendor of the wedding ceremony.

Fine art style photographs capture images from strange angles and creative perspectives. The photographer may focus on a flower girl while the bride stands out of focus in the background, or may focus on balloons over a wedding table as the bride and groom dance to the side. These photographs can be fun and whimsical, magical and serene or edgy and full of drama.

Many photographers will shoot a combination of these different types of photography, however, if you desire one type of photograph over another, it helps to find a photographer who is strong in that type of photography.

Browse ALL the Listings

Knowing the different photographers in your area can help you pick the right photographer for your wedding. You should take a long time to find the right photographer, going through many options before you land on the right one.

Don't Look for a "Good Deal"

Focus less on the cost of the photographs and more on finding the right photographer for your event. A good quality photographer might be more costly, but the trade off will be the years of enjoyment that you'll get out of your wedding photographs.

Search Through Portfolios

One of the best ways to tell if a photographer is right for you is by looking at the photographer's portfolio. Most photographers will keep their portfolios online. After looking through a few portfolios, some photographers may start to blend together. Take careful notes on each photographer, their specialties and your feeling about each photographer's portfolio.

Get Referrals

Your recently married friends may be able to refer you to their wedding photographers. When asking your friends for references, ask them if they found their photographer to be reliable, personable and if they were pleased with the finished product. This will help you find a photographer who is likely to meet his or her obligations and produce photographs that you can enjoy.

Schedule an Appointment

Once you've narrowed your search to a few candidates, meet with each potential photographer before making your final choice. Remember that your photographer will spend many hours with you on your wedding day, so the photographer you choose should be someone who you enjoy talking to and who understands your priorities.

When meeting with potential photographers, do your best to describe the look and feel of the photographs you're seeking. Ask the photographer how he or she achieves the type of photographs that you want, and ask the photographer to show you examples of work that match the style you seek. This will help you narrow your search.

At Bella Sera, we recommend Redford Photography for clients seeking flexible, personable photographers who can take photographs in a variety of styles. To make an appointment with Bella Sera, contact us today at (724) 745-5575, or contact our photographer at Redford photography at 724-743-5700.


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