As wedding costs rise, so does the price you’ll pay for to capture your day. Photography comes in as one of the largest expenses, just behind the venue and catering.
But it’s not all bad news. The increasingly capability to capture high quality photos and even videos means that you’ll have something truly priceless: something to remember your day by.
In fact, photography is one of the areas experts agree you should invest in. But what kind of photography is right for your wedding, and how can you be sure you’ll get the quality and content you’re looking for?
Types Of Wedding Photography
There are different types of wedding photography, including contemporary, traditional, and reportage wedding photography. When choosing a photographer for your wedding, it is crucial to choose one who knows how to apply the following:
- Contemporary Wedding Photography: It is also called creative, editorial, or fashion wedding photography, which includes posed, but more relaxed shots. The photographer looks for exciting angles and lighting. This wedding photography applies the artistic stance and vision of the photographer.
- Traditional Wedding Photography: It is also called a classic, posed, or conventional photography. This was the most popular wedding photography category until the birth of digital technology, wherein couples can save money on camera films. Traditional wedding photography style concentrates on taking posed shots that involve different directions during the ceremony and reception. This photography provides beautiful traditional wedding shots that you will treasure and keep forever.
- Journalistic Wedding Photography: This wedding photography is also known as reportage or documentary photography. This approach applies documentation of the wedding through the expertise of a wedding photographer. It aims to capture all moments possible. It tells a story and shows genuine emotion, such as stolen shots, without so much emphasizing on fixed or formal shots.
Let’s break down a few things you need to know before booking your photographer or videographer:
- Understanding the cost: A professional photographer should provide their rates up front. Rates will generally be by the hour–keep that in mind when deciding when you want them to arrive. The rates will vary based on expertise level. Be sure you also understand if there are any additional fees, like deposits.
- Know what to ask: You should know how and where they were trained; experience shooting weddings, and even cancellation policies. If you have any special requests, ask them up front. It’s also not a bad idea, if it’s an independent photographer especially, to ask for references or client reviews. (Of course, you can also search databases for ratings). Even more important: ask for real samples. So, what are the important questions you need to ask from a wedding photographer before hiring one? Aside from their credentials and experience, it is important to ask what type of wedding photography services do they provide, such as air view.
- What’s included: Do they offer retouching in their package? Digital copies? Color correction? Are these included, are do they come at an additional cost? If you’re also interested in save-the-date and engagement shoots, check to see if they offer an overall package. Many wedding photography services offer social media integration, editing wedding photos for Facebook and Instagram. Such service can provide you stress-free social media photos that you can show to your friends, relatives, and followers.
- Shop around: Like any other big decision, you’ll want to comparison shop. Also make sure you ask if there are any discounts available. When shopping around, make sure to compare quality of photography services and rates. It’s worth it interviewing previous clients, most especially brides to find out if they were satisfied with their wedding photos. Also, you can check online reviews to find out what other people say about their photography services and final output.
- Do I need a videographer? You first priority, if you have a tight budget, should be a photographer. With photos, you’ll still be able to capture the night. That said, a videographer can be really worth it for some couples. Figure out your budget first and foremost and decide whether you’d be the type of couple who would watch your wedding over and over. Note that some photographers also do videography, or can suggest someone. As of 2016, the average cost of a videographer was just under $2,000.
Photo Credit: Candice Adelle Photography