How do I choose the right Wedding Photographer for my family?

Next year, I’ll celebrate 20 years since the first wedding I photographed.

Things have changed tremendously… camera technology continues to evolve and the market is saturated with images & expectations.

Doing a ‘Google’ search for ‘wedding photographer’ isn’t going to bring you an immediate answer, rather page after page of the 1,000+ plus photographers who claim to be professional wedding photographers.

It’s a sign of the times my friends! And hey! At least you’ve got options?! But that’s a big list to narrow…

webster house wedding ceremony

My TOP 3 tips on finding the PERFECT wedding photographer!

First things first, you need to know what you like and what don’t. Knowing your taste will help narrow the list to a good starting point.

Look through LOTS and LOTS of images…

Many photographers describe themselves with terms like ‘photojournalist’ or ‘natural-light photographer’. Words mean nothing if their images don’t speak to you. LOOK through their photos and you’ll see what kind of images they create.

While looking through their wedding portfolio, ask yourself these kinds of questions?

  • Are they creative & resourceful? re: do all of their images look repetitive or similar
  • Are their images heavily manipulated in Photoshop?
  • Are their images a mix of candid and posed? Or is their style heavily one or the other?
  • Can they light a room artificially?
wedding photographer kansas city

Fall in LOVE with your photographer.

Yes. I am serious!

Once you’ve stumbled across images you LOVE, don’t wait! Reach out & have a conversation.

Don’t leave this to texting & email correspondence. It’s important to feel some connection when you talk with your photographer. Try to match with someone who shares your energy level.

best wedding photo moments

You get what you pay for-

One of my first photography jobs was working for John McManus– an architectural photographer in Savannah Georgia. I often quote things John once said while we were working. While several of them stick with me, my favorite was;

‘The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of low price. “

Don’t let wedding buzz words & current trends fool you!

In this business, you get what you pay for and most of the time you’re paying for experience. Don’t get swept away with products & gimmicks they’ll include with their services. Look at THEIR IMAGES!! You’ll also notice some larger studios have several photographers on staff.

For instance, some wedding studios have multiple photographers on staff. If you want your wedding photographs to be personal, you’ll want to connect with your SPECIFIC photographer prior to the wedding day.

This doesn’t mean meet in person! More than half of brides plan their wedding remotely, so if you’ve found images you LOVE don’t hesitate to set up a time to Skype, Facetime or hold a Zoom meeting with your photographer!

Though the mass amount of individuals who’ve recently discovered photography, don’t yet have the cat-like reflects which only come after years of photographing weddings.

Choosing your wedding photographer is different than the other decisions you’ll make for wedding day. Choose wisely and have no regrets!

xoxo adrienne signing off
Circle portrait of Adrienne Maples for verification purposes.

Adrienne Maples

 

Kansas City photographer, Adrienne Maples, weaves together powerful narratives with her photographs to create mood and evoke emotion.

 

She a board member of AIGA and KCAC. As a committee member of KCDW, she organized the 2024 talks: The A.I. Asset, Creator as Curator.

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About

the Author

Adrienne Maples

 

Kansas City commercial photographer, Adrienne Maples, weaves together powerful narratives with her photographs to create mood and evoke emotion.

 

She's an AI enthusiast, passionate about teaching others how to use technology responsibly for the greater good. Known for her 'spunk & pizazz', she directs & curates images to transform mediocrity into the extraordinary.

 

She a board member of AIGA and KCAC. As a committee member of KCDW, she organized the 2024 talks: The A.I. Asset, Creator as Curator.

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*bw photo by Sara Brennen-Harrell

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