This article is for all of those engaged couples out there! Especially those that might have just said “YES!” this Holiday season! Isn’t it exciting being engaged?! It is such a special time and I tell all of my couples to enjoy it because it goes by so fast. I’m sure by now you realize that as soon as you tell someone you’re engaged, immediately following the “Congratulations!” comes the questions… “When is the date,” Where with the wedding be?” etc. etc. Planning a wedding can become a daunting task, so to help you out I wanted to give you some things to keep in mind when you begin looking for photographers!

Just like every couple and every wedding is unique, no two wedding photographers are alike. It is important to find a photographer who’s style you love, whose personality fits well with you as a couple, and who offers what you need. Here are some insider tips on what to look for when searching for the perfect fit!

Digital Files

It has become the industry standard that wedding photographers hand over the digital files, but not all do! Don’t assume that wedding photographers include the digital files in the price! I not only give you one copy, but two copies of your digital files! One copy for sharing online and a second copy for printing!

 Editing

Another great question to ask is if editing is included in the price. Some photographers hand over unedited photos and charge extra for editing services. It is my policy that I only hand over edited images to clients. My edits are natural and appropriate for wedding photos. Any special requests for further editing is invoiced as additional editing time. But I can proudly say that all of my clients have been extremely happy with their photos and I’ve never had a client request further editing.

Engagement Sessions

Ask if engagement sessions are included! Engagement sessions are not only a great opportunity to get some photos of you two before the wedding, but it also allows you to work with the photographer prior to the wedding day! This is huge and eliminates a lot of wedding day stress. Photos on the wedding day will be a breeze and you won’t feel like a total stranger is taking your pictures. I include engagement sessions with my most popular wedding collections for my couples. I love to get to know them before the big day!

Personality

I highly recommend talking with photographers before hiring one. It can be on the phone or via Skype, but don’t just email them and leave it at that. Your wedding photographer will be ever-present on your wedding day and it’s so important that you actually like each other. This is likely the biggest day of your lives so far and the last thing you want is to clash with the person who is documenting this special day for you. I like to arrange in-person meetings with potential clients whenever I can. And when meeting in person isn’t possible, I always chat with them on the phone or Skype! Just like I encourage them to be picky when choosing their photographer, I’m also selective with the clients I agree to work with. It’s important to me that we’re on the same page. If we don’t have the same end goals, we will all be disappointed.

Licensed & Insured

There are a lot of “fauxtographers” out there. By that, I mean there are some people out there who have all of the professional gear, talk the professional talk, and maybe even can take pro-quality photos, but on the legal end they’re a loose canon. Many venues require all outside vendors to carry their own business license, equipment insurance, and general liability insurance. The last thing you want is to loose a deposit because you found out you can’t bring your photographer to your venue! I am a licensed and insured business. I carry my own equipment and general liability insurance and I never leave the house without a copy of my papers… just in case! I also belong to a couple of professional photography organizations like PPA and WPPI.

Are you or someone you know looking for an awesome photographer? Fill out a contact form here, or send me a note at kristen@kristenlynne.com. I’d love to chat!