It always is the same. I sit down with potential clients and they start to tell me about how they suck at being photographed. The excuses are endless: we make goofy faces, I hate my nose, we suck at posing, we aren’t models. Trust me guys, I get it. I say the same things about myself and feel most insecure in front of a camera (that’s why I like to stay behind the lens!) The truth of the matter is it takes teamwork to look gorgeous in your wedding photos…. that’s right, me and you, we’re a team.
Choosing a wedding photographer is a personal decision. Many factors play a role in choosing who will document your wedding day. I remember it quite well, we were fresh out of college, brand new in our corporate jobs, and penny pinchers. We didn’t have a huge wedding budget and we wanted great photos. While we chose to prioritize our funds towards photography, it isn’t always a decision that people make (and that is okay!) Beyond price, personality, editing style, package features, and location all play a large role in choosing your wedding photographer. While these factors weigh heavily one thing that is entirely important (almost more important than any of the above) is finding someone who makes you feel comfortable to be yourself.
At the end of the day, your photographer is more than a vendor. They are someone that is with you for the majority of such an important day. They have to see you in your skivvies as you get into your dress, coordinate your family photos, make sure things stay on schedule, win over your unruly groomsmen, pin on boutonnieres, bustle your gown, hold your lip stick, and assure you that everything will be fine. The key to beautiful wedding photos is feeling comfortable with the person you chose to capture your day and to trust that they can handle whatever might be thrown their way. Trust me, us photographers are resilient. We walk into new spaces, new venues, new weather situations, new lighting every single week. We have pretty much seen it all and we are never surprised. Weddings are unpredictable. They are living, breathing phenomenons with high emotions and we want to make this the best day of your life.
So here’s what you’ve been waiting for. You want to look gorgeous in your photos right? Pick someone who you connect with, who’s work you love, who knows how pose people, crack jokes, round up crowds, and puts you at ease. Choosing a photographer is far more important than picking someone who takes pretty photos – it’s about choosing a human that you want to be there as a witness and documenter on one of the most important days of your life. Look at their work, check out a full wedding gallery, follow their instagram. Do you connect with them on a personal level more than just a professional level? You should. And most importantly, just remember to have fun. If you feel uncomfortable, it shows. Relax, loosen up, have a blast, and smile! You are beautiful and your photographer will only enhance that beauty!
