Elopements
Hey, we all know there is no shortage of amazing creative wedding photographers and videographers out there but how do you find the right one? The main things I’ll cover are style, experience, and budget.
I will mainly talk about photography but you could literally replace “photography” with “videography” and the gist is the same.
Wedding Photographer Editing Styles
I’m going to split this into editing styles and shooting styles (because they are different).
There are many types of styles of photography editing — light and bright, true to color, and dark and moody. Before you start your search, narrow down what you prefer in this category, it’s really going to help you not only in the beginning but also in the long run.
It will aid you in narrowing down the pool of photographers and give you a direction getting you closer to getting one more thing checked off your wedding to-do list.
My style is very much toward dark, dramatic lighting with hints of color thrown in (my favorite seasons fall after all). The upper peninsula has so many lovely dark forests and dramatic landscapes that also show up in my work, which is something that set me apart.
Now let’s talk about styles of shooting: traditional, photojournalistic, or lifestyle. While the above are editing styles, these categories are more about the wedding or elopement day.
Traditional shooting is focused on posed imagery and often uses external lighting in a more commercial, even lit way. This is closer to editorial bridal work (think traditional bridal magazine). TImeless and regal are words that come to mind when I think of a traditional wedding.
Photojournalistic shooting is all about the moments in between moments. In fact, there is hardly any posing at all. These are the moments that show laughing, crying and the authentic moments from the entire day. Can you tell I dig this kind of shooting?
Lifestyle is a mixture of the last two. While ready to capture moments, a lifestyle wedding photographer is also armed with posing ideas for elegant shots. I find that some couples want this style of wedding photography because it is a balance of moments perfect for jogging sweet memories and makes for great images that can hang on your walls.
Experience + Gear
Now let’s talk about experience and gear — does it matter how many years or weddings a photographer has shot? The short answer … yes. Now, does it matter what gear they use. The short answer … no.
Now I’ll give you the long answers; having experience of shooting weddings and elopements is important because you want someone that can help you in the process (think planning timing for outdoor lighting or photo locations just to name a few), be ready for moments or give direction and has the knowledge of the flow of a wedding or elopement from the photographer’s perspective. They need to be able to do all this AND take gorgeous photos. Which leads me to my next point; gear does matter (or rather, the correct use of it does).
Wait, before this gets out of hand all I mean is you’ll recognize an experienced photographer by the correct use of their gear. Meaning, gear is important but the proof is in the photographer’s skill in using it. And yes, more than likely you’ll see more experienced creatives using more expensive gear because as they gain knowledge, they need a camera that can keep up.
That is not to say that lower grade gear will produce bad photos because it’s the person behind the camera that you’re paying for. So, you may be asking yourself, “how do I know how much experience a photographer has or if they know how to use their gear?” It’s simple, look at their work. Do they have a pretty good amount of work within the realm of wedding photography? Do they have reviews from past clients or other wedding professionals?
Budget
This may be the number one thing for you as you’re searching for your photographer. I get it, cost is a huge part of planning a wedding. This is a tricky thing to talk about because cost and value both have a part to play in choosing a photographer.
You’ve heard the saying, “you get what you pay for” and I would say that still rings true. A lot of things go into pricing because a legal, actual business has overhead costs like gear, editing programs, insurance, education resources (so many more) and then you have the value from the pure talent from the artist.
As you start your search, set your budget and go from there. Do not “just see what’s out there” and hope to find something. It will bring confusion and make the process not so fun, which it should be fun as this is a person you will be spending a lot of time with before and during your wedding/elopement.
Have a clear budget in mind and let people know what it is and look for professionals in that range. Trust me, no one is judging you about the amount you have set – I do think it’s possible for everyone to find a photographer within a realistic price range (for some that might be $2,900, for others it may be $5,900).
Recap
- Choose the style of editing, and decide how you want your images to look.
- Do a little research on the wedding photographers you’re checking out. Look at their work.
- Set a clear budget.
If you’re at the end of this that means you’re truly dedicated to finding the perfect photographer for your wedding and I admire that. My approach to wedding and elopement photography sits right between photojournalistic and lifestyle because I can see value in both of those styles.
That with my editing style of dark and moody (with a little dose of color) gives me a distinct style that my couples love — it’s more toward photojournalistic but doesn’t leave out lifestyle altogether. See more of my editing style, here. My passion for the Upper Peninsula outdoors spills over into my shots as well. So, if that sounds like your kind of person, let’s grab a coffee (in-person or virtually) and get to know one another. You can schedule a virtual meeting with me, here.
Bonus: Places to find a photographer
Yes, good ol’ Google. I would encourage you to search for photographers in your area by typing the location + wedding photographer. For example, “Marquette Michigan Wedding Photographer” or “Upper Peninsula Wedding Photographer”
- Instagram & TikTok
Social media is a goldmine for couples looking for a wedding photographer. I would say this is best when you have chosen a few photographers that you like but haven’t chosen the “one” yet. I would encourage you to follow your favorites and see what they post, engage with their stories and content to see if they are the right fit.
- Nine Oh Hitched
This is a shameless plug for Nine Oh Hitched, a wedding, and elopement blog that I created for couples. No shame because it’s about community, giving resources, and focuses on U.P. vendors, such as wedding photographers. You can check that out at www.nineohhitched.com