Wedding Photographer Guide

Find Your Perfect Wedding Photographer Weddings are dreams turned into celebrations. Yet, weddings can quickly become a swamp of decisions. Locations, food, flowers, cake, colors, dress…

Phew!

The last thing you want is to feel overwhelmed and exhausted when planning your wedding. But how do these decisions come together? How can you choose from all the amazing options? We have seen many love stories come together. And we’d love to share ideas that may help you find just the right team for your big day. You need a wedding dream team.

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“He’s more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”— Emily Bronte The questions that bring you to the perfect photographer may also help your other choices, from flowers to decor.

At the end of this guide, you will find a worksheet that can help you clarify questions for yourself and your team.

Perhaps you have been dreaming about your wedding since you were a child. Or perhaps you never considered your wedding day. You might have a hundred plans. I will wear a tulle skirt and carry a bouquet of white calla lilies… Or you might not have a plan at all. Well, how complicated can one day be?

There isn’t a correct way to get married. There’s the way that speaks to you and your partner (maybe your family and friends as well). Go with that way.

Now, how do you use that story to find the right photographer?

Don’t all photographers take the same photos?

Yes and no. Photographers bring different styles to their images.

For example: I thought that I chose simple clothing until I went into a store. I browsed the racks. Nope, nope, no way, nope. And then I realized that I did have a strong sense of personal style. Photographers are similar. Some love black & white, some love portraits, some love pretty details. Any good wedding photographer has a plan for the day. However, it will help you to learn what you want so you know how to book the photographer who is a great match for you.

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What are the styles of wedding photography?

Many styles overlap and inspire one another.

Great photographers use more than one style to capture the experience of your day. At the same time, great photographers know what makes their artist-heart pitter pat with excitement. When you ask, I know exactly which style makes me hope we will work together (I’ll tell you my favorite at the end of this section).

Fine Art Portraiture These are the epic images of wedding photography. These often feature posing, which flatter and frame everyone with a poetic background and lighting. Lighting tools such as flashes may be emphasize the artistic vision. These create dramatic images. They may take time to stage all the details.

Stylized These images have a distinct feel. They may have muted colors, or black and white with heavy shadows.

Recently, photos can have a ‘haze’. Some photographers favor a stylized look in their images. Images may look like film photographs from twenty years ago. Some couples love their photos to have a certain mood or strong style. If the photographer’s stylized images speak to you, awesome!

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Documentary These are the ‘in the moment’ images. They show the day as it happens. They are often informal and candid. The photographer isn’t calling attention to the camera.

Documentary style photography can be a little tricky because a photographer needs to be paying attention. They need to know how to use the light to tell a story. A good documentary photographer is careful with angles and details to share the best view of a scene or moment.

Classic A traditional wedding doesn’t need to look old fashioned. Classic wedding images are timeless. The images may show all the details in a beautiful way, from a long train to family portraits. This style shares the day with lovely images that speak for themselves. These images make for sentimental collections that can be enjoyed for generations.

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Many photographers blend styles into a story of your day. However, every photographer lights up when planning a certain type of shoot. What’s my favorite?

Hands down, Documentary. So, if you are a bride looking for fancy posing and light setups, I’m not your perfect photographer. If you are looking for an observant photographer who is going to find lots of little moments that you may forget, I’m the one.

For example, I don’t like walking in front of the guests during the ceremony. I’ll find angles that show your emotion, and we’ll catch the epic moments (first kiss!) but we’re not going to block Grandma’s view of that first kiss.

We also want you to spend time with your friends and family. Tons of family portraits? Doesn’t really make my heart pitter-patter. I can create pretty portraits. I want you to have your bridal party and family portraits. I will set up the camera and tripod and arrange everyone to look their best, while making sure we don’t have a recycle bin in the background. But two hours of portraits isn’t my passion. I like to get all the formal poses done quickly so the fun begins.

My husband and I love to find the interactions that melt our hearts (and your heart). The kids playing. The grandparents holding hands. The friends who haven’t seen each other in years.

We love to document the day in a way that makes photography the storyteller, not the story. We pay attention without demanding attention.

So we might not be your perfect photographer. Which is totally fine. Because Nevada County has many talented photographers that could be perfect for you. And we want your day to reflect your hopes and dreams, not ours. Your day is about you!

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Now, to help you choose your perfect photographer, think of these questions. Hint, there are no right answers, only right answers for you :) What do you want? *Perhaps you want everything, the whole day in images, a collection that starts with hair and makeup and ends on the dance floor. Or maybe you just want a few key images to share with your children one day. Maybe less is more for you.

What do you need? *could be different than what you want. I wanted the whole day. I needed a few heirloom images. I found a compromise. Lots of compromises happen with wedding planning (see the next question)

What is your budget?

Many brides and grooms wish they had allocated more funding to their photography.

After all, photography becomes family heirlooms. You may not think your budget can be flexible, but asking relatives to pitch into a wedding photography budget may be helpful (especially if you promise to give them prints or access digital galleries).

Wedding photography can be expensive. And worth every penny.

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What about a video? *One couple had us film a video because their parents insisted. And they were so glad! A video shows the day in motion. We create time capsules with thoughtful editing, music, and voice overs that is guaranteed to bring back good memories (and maybe sentimental ones too).

Does technology matter to you? *All photographers have different interests in regards to technology. We give couples their own app for easy sharing the day after their wedding. We help with making images ready for social sharing. Our signature collection includes an iPad mini preloaded with all of your images and video clips. Perhaps that’s not important to you at all. Finding a photographer who understands your interests will make everyone happy.

What is important? What is the most important? *Perhaps it’s the epic shot over the mantle. Perhaps an album documenting the day.

Perhaps it’s sentimental moments with guests. Just as every couple is different, your hopes for your wedding (and wedding photography) will be different.

We hope your worksheet has been helpful to you! We’d love to chat about wedding plans! lenka@lenkaland.com

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