Picking the perfect Wedding Photographer NJ for your special day is important. If you want your photographs to bring back pleasant memories of your wedding day. It’s important to make sure you pick the right photographer. There are several steps in choosing the right photographer. These are the most important steps that you should follow when choosing your wedding photographer.
Picking the right style that fits what you are looking for. Ask friends and family if they can recommend a photographer. This can be a starting point in trying to pick that special photographer. Trying to use a traditional style photographer to get photo journalistic results won’t work. Traditional photography is not considered a modern style. It may have been popular when your parents and grand parents got married. Traditional style is more posed with friends and family standing shoulder to shoulder.
Photo journalistic photographers capture you special day as a story. With each detail being preserved as it happens. You’ll find that some photographers have great imagination, but lack the skill to cover your wedding day properly. It takes a great eye along with the ability to the little details and stay invisible at the same time.
Catching the emotion and expression is a skill that most photographers take years to master. Unlike, traditional photography where you line up and take a shot. Your capturing real events and not staging them with fake smile and fake tears. So, make sure they understand exactly what you are looking for. You can also ask for a mixture of these two styles. You may want traditional shots with a formal feel. You may also want a majority of your photographs to be photo journalistic. It’s OK to mix the styles if that’s what you truly want.
Early in the 20th century black and white images were the norm. You now have options of digital enhanced photos to choose from. These are images captured on a disk and then edited. A good photographer will edit your images. If you find a photographer that gives you the raw photos. Cross them off your list. A good photographer will take the time to edit and crop the images.
Take the time to review each photographer’s portfolio. Set a time and schedule an appointment to look at their work. Make sure and ask for a complete wedding. Have a few shots from various wedding isn’t going to give you a true feel of exactly how they cover an entire wedding. Make sure the wedding covers from getting ready shot to the couple leaving the reception. This way you will get an idea of the quality of their work as well how the cover the day. It’s pretty easy to put a few good photos together for display. It’s quite different to hide flaws when showing a full wedding day coverage. If your potential photographer has any weakness in quality or ability it will show here.
You’ll also get a sense of your photographer’s personality. If he has the ability to connect with his clients it will show in the pictures. If the couple looks uptight or uncomfortable then it could be an issue with the photographer’s personality. Ask the photographer if they took the photos. Many studios will use a name brand, but send other photographers out working under the studio name. If you want a specific photographer you need to make sure you request them. Some studios even use freelance photographers and select these photographers with out reviewing their work.
You may not have chemistry with a photographer you’ve never met. So, why risk it with a studio that rents out their name. Go over exactly what you expect and want from the photographer. This includes time frame and options if they offer packages. Determine if you’ll need more than one photographer. You may have a wedding party that’s so large that you need to have a second photographer. Make sure they don’t shoot more than one wedding per day. You may find your photographer rushing you if they need to get to their next wedding. A true professional photographer should focus on you and your special day. Running off to beat traffic to the next wedding is unacceptable.
Check to make sure the photographer carries at least two cameras. While this may not sound important. It’s important to realize that if they don’t carry one and theirs breaks or malfunctions. You won’t have the opportunity to redo your wedding.
Have a budget in mind and try not to go over it. You may find that the photographer you really want is just way out of your budget. The are really a lot of good photographers that charge reasonable rates and produce high quality photos. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices and picked the perfect photographer for your wedding. Make sure and put a contract together as soon as possible. If your wedding is in a period where there are lots of weddings. The photographer may book the date before you even have a chance to sign a contract. You would then have to start the process all over from scratch. It’s a good idea to book your photographer 12 to 24 months in advance. Check the photographers deposit policies and if they offer cancellations. Most photographers don’t reimburse a deposit.