Whether online or in person, it all starts with reviewing portfolios. You need to be able to make a connection with the images, which should convey a story of the wedding day. Some photographers only show their best wedding images from several different weddings. While this is ok as an initial preview, Its very important to see a larger collection of about 50-60 images from one wedding to see how the complete story was told. Its also important to see the work of the photographer who will be capturing your wedding story. Bigger studios sometimes show a general studio portfolio rather than the portfolio of the the photographer who will be capturing your wedding story. Not only should you see the work of the wedding photographer who will tell your story but you should also be able to choose your photographer prior to signing an agreement. Don’t let a studio assign a photographer to you based on some personality test or algorithm. Sadly, some studios actually do that.

Raw? As in sushi? No, we are not talking about sushi but rather file format. Professional digital cameras can capture photos in a variety of file formats. RAW produces the best color saturation, more vibrant colors, and superior print quality. The format also allows the photographer more flexibility in the post processing of your wedding photos. Unfortunately, not all photographers spend the time required to post process wedding images which can be time consuming. Make sure to ask the photographers you interview what type if any post processing they do. Many studios shoot in JPEG format because it’s easier and there’s less post production work for them. The images come straight out of the camera “as-is”. Then it becomes your responsibility to color correct the images. Also, JPEG’s don’t have nearly as much information in the digital file which means you can’t make large prints and lose the beautiful rich colors you want. You definitely don’t want a photographer to simply hand over the files without post processing them. Post processing entails color balance (adjust the color), touching up the images, and possibly applying creative effects.

Its always great to support local businesses and that goes for local photography studios versus the big national studios. During your search you will find solo operators, local medium sized studios, and national studios. Because of the size and scope of the national studios they generally don’t offer a personalized service. You most likely will just be a number. From a quick glance they look like a good value but because so many people need to get paid within the studio you wind up loosing something along the way in terms of quality or service. Solo operators can be a good option since you get very personalized service as the photographer is invested in your wedding. They however generally lack a formal infrastructure and back up system. The best of both worlds is a medium sized local photography studio with a handful of photographers. You get the personalized service and attention you deserve. Since the studio has a number of photographers you have the peace of mind in knowing that they have back up photographers. With a small boutique studio, there is greater oversight and the photographers are held to a higher standard since everything they do is reviewed by the head photographer / studio owner.

There are a variety of factors that go into deciding whether you should have one or two photographers. We offer a range of scheduling options for our second photographers, whether needed for just part of the day or the entire duration of your event.

If you’re having a larger wedding (more than 150 people) a second photographer should be considered. This is not to say that an experienced photographer can’t handle a large wedding on their own.

Consider whether you are getting ready at the same location. If you are getting ready at 2 locations at the same time, a second photographer might be beneficial. If you decide that one photographer works best for you, we can still capture getting ready at 2 locations as long as there is ample time allowed.

In some situations such as church weddings, some churches restrict the photographer’s ability to move during the ceremony. In this case, a second photographer might be able to provide additional angels. One photographer can absolutely still capture all the key moments at a church ceremony without a second photographer.

If you decide to have portraits taken during the cocktail hour and also would like coverage of the cocktail hour, a second photographer might be a good idea.

In any of these situations, a second photographer isn’t required but should be considered. Every wedding & couple is different and there are many factors to consider.  We are always happy to discuss your wedding and make any recommendations.

As with any important purchase, cost will likely be a key factor in your decision. Just don’t let it be the only consideration. You’ll need to consider all of the above points in order to find the right fit for your big day. After all of your careful planning, you deserve a photographer that will document your day thoroughly & beautifully.