When you’re planning a wedding, there are endless things to consider, from floral arrangements to reception menus. However, one of the most important parts of any wedding is arguably the photographer. They make sure that your big day is memorialized through photographs you can hang on the wall, post to Facebook, or place in an album to reminisce over during anniversaries to come.
It’s important that you find the right wedding photographer to meet your needs on your wedding day. You need someone confident enough in their skills to capture moments that will last a lifetime. Here, we’re going over how to find DFW wedding photographers and choosing the right one for you.
What Makes a Great Wedding Photographer?
Plenty of couples wonder how to choose a wedding photographer that’s right for them. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to know which photographer will best match your needs.
When looking for a wedding photographer, you should look for one with plenty of experience as well as the portfolio to back it up. A truly great wedding photographer should be well-versed in how to handle the unique stressors that come along with the territory. You want someone who can cope with any emergencies that might arise so that you can focus on your big day.
It’s also best to look for a photographer that you find easy to talk to. It’s important that you feel comfortable making requests of your photographer to get the results you want. They should also be proactive about keeping in contact with you both before and after the wedding.
It would be best if you also worked with someone you know is willing to listen to your ideas. A good wedding photographer works with their clients instead of merely for them. They offer professional input but are still willing to compromise.
Not only should your photographer be a good listener, but also a good communicator. It can be frustrating to work with someone who is difficult to reach or who doesn’t take the time to check in with you about important decisions. There should be plenty of back-and-forth between you and your wedding photographer, even before you’ve officially signed any contracts.
How Much Do Wedding Photographers Typically Cost?
Many people wonder: is a wedding photographer worth the cost?
While you can hire amateur photographers, students, and professionals in other specialties for your wedding, they can’t always offer the same level of quality. A professional wedding photographer knows how to work with lighting, venue, and subjects to create truly one-of-a-kind photos.
That being said, wedding photographers often charge more than other photographers per photo or hour. The difference in cost reflects the additional responsibilities that a wedding photographer must take on, such as last-minute requests and changes, complex setups, intensive editing, and more.
A wedding photographer will generally run you anywhere between $1,150 and $3,000 for a shoot. The average cost is around $2,000 for a wedding. Price can vary based on the photographer’s reputation and skill level, your location, the time of year, and more.
If you plan on using your wedding photographer for an engagement shoot or a special bridal shoot, you may end up paying more overall. It’s a good idea to set a budget for yourself before looking for a photographer so that you can find a package that meets all of your needs without breaking the bank.
Wedding Photography Styles
The style of photograph you want will be a major driving factor in which DFW wedding photographers you consider for your shoots. No matter what your personal style might be, you’re bound to find a local photographer who can bring your vision to life.
One of the most popular styles of wedding photography is classic, traditional shoots. It’s relatively easy to find a photographer who can pull off this style, as it’s relatively straightforward and simple. This is one of the safest options for those planning on sending copies of their wedding photos to friends and relatives. However, some couples find traditional photographs to be a bit bland.
Some traditional shoots are done in an editorial style, much like you might see in a newspaper or magazine. These photos are generally planned and posed for maximum effect. They’ve been coming more popular in recent years, especially for bridesmaid and groomsmen photos.
Some couples prefer a more candid, photojournalistic style to heavily posed traditional photos. These are taken from a spectator’s perspective and offer a more intimate, natural look for wedding photographs. However, this is a much more challenging style to get just right, and not all photographers can pull it off properly. It takes a seasoned professional to snap the perfect candid shot.
If you’re looking for a more dramatic approach, you may want to find a wedding photographer specializing in dark, emotional shoots. These photos play with light and contrast to create uniquely artistic shots for your wedding album. However, the look may be too modern for more traditional types.
Conversely, artistic wedding shoots often incorporate bursts of color as well as interesting shapes, lighting, and patterns for shots that capture your big day from a more creative angle. It’s crucial that you look at a photographer’s past work with an artistic shoot to ensure that their particular style matches what you have in mind.
If you want a classy, timeless look to your photographs, you can find photographers that specialize in black and white work. They know how to arrange colors and lighting so that it looks best when shot in gray tones.
Drones are quickly becoming a popular way of shooting weddings, as they’re unobtrusive and able to get shots from some unique angles. However, you may not want all of your photos shot by drone. Many couples prefer to combine aerial photographs with other styles for a more comprehensive wedding album.
If you get married in a scenic area, you may want to find a wedding photographer specializing in sweeping landscape shots. This style of photography is particularly popular for engagement shoots and wedding shoots alike.
How Do I Find a Photographer for My Wedding?
It’s not always easy to find the perfect photographer for your wedding. With so many photographers to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to sort through all the names in the DFW area.
The best way to find the right photographer for you and your partner is by first ironing out details such as the time and date of your wedding, your venue, and your budget. It would help if you also had an idea of what style of photography you’re looking for on the big day.
It’s easiest to search for photographers online. There’s a wide variety of online photography communities where you can find and reach out to professional photographers accepting work. You can also search through hosting services or social media sites such as Facebook or Imgur.
If you want to find a freelancer to photograph your wedding, you can search sites such as Upwork or Fiverr to find a professional available in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. You can look through portfolios, read bios, and check out reviews from past clients to get a feel for which freelancer might be right for you.
If you’re unsure where to start your search, you can ask other couples you know who have recently gotten married. They may have recommendations for DFW wedding photographers that offer the services you want. You can get a first-hand account of how it feels to work with the photographer and what you can expect if you hire them.
You can meet local photographers in person by attending galleries, conventions, and other events centered around the photography community. You can also look up smaller get-togethers on sites such as Facebook or Meetup.
No matter how you find your photographer, you should always arrange an in-person meeting to discuss the details of what you want. It’s a good idea to draw up a contract outlining both sides’ agreement, including service requested and agreed-upon pay.
You may want to schedule a test run with your photographer before the big day so that you can get a feel for how your final photos might work. This gives you and your photographer a chance to get comfortable with one another before your wedding.
Find Your Local Wedding Photographer Today!
If you’re planning a wedding, you need to hire the right photographer to document the day. It’s a good idea to hire an experienced professional to ensure that you get shots that you’ll treasure for a lifetime. You need a photographer who’s not only talented but also within your budget and easy to work with.
Finding the perfect photographer for your wedding can take some work. If you know what sort of photography style you’re looking for, you can use it as a starting point to search through professionals in your area. With a little bit of research and dedication, you’re bound to find a photographer who can help you and your spouse forever memorialize your big day.