It can be hard to know whether or not you’re booking a professional wedding photographer and not just a hobbyist! The reason this is true is because you don’t technically need any degree or certification to become a photographer! Any person with a camera nowadays call themselves a photographer…and sure.. they are. But how do you know if they’re a professional who knows what they’re doing? How do you know if you’re getting your money’s worth? I’ve created this guide to help you know if you’re booking a professional wedding photographer or not. Let’s dive right in!
1: Do They Have a Niche?
This one is important to determine whether or not you’re booking a professional wedding photographer and not just a hobbyist. If you look at their Instagram or portfolio- do they post about their niche or multiple different sessions? If you’re looking for a professional wedding photographer and this person is posting family sessions, seniors, couples and other lifestyle sessions etc, then this is a sign that the photographer is a newbie or hobbyist and still figuring out their main niche. A professional wedding photographer will be posting about their niche only – aka WEDDING PHOTOS 😀
2: Do You Have to Sign a Contract?
I know that contracts can be a drag and they seem kinda scary…But not having a contract is a huge red flag. Professional wedding photographers will have a contract in place that needs to be signed before they go any further in working with you.
3: Does This Photographer Have a Website?
A professional wedding photographer will have a solid website that showcases their starting prices, examples of their work, more about them and a contact page. This is very important. Hobbyist photographers usually don’t have a website. If they do, it’s usually a Wix site.
4: Can You Schedule a Consultation Call?
Professional wedding photographers care about “meeting” their prospective future clients and want to make sure everyone is a good fit. They usually schedule consultation calls with their clients to chat through any questions you may have and walk you through the process of working with them.
5: Is Photography Their Profession?
Number one way to know if you’re booking a professional wedding photographer is to know if photography is their profession. Is it their full time job and their main source of income? If so, then they’re a pro photographer.
6: Can You Tell Who You’ll Be Working With?
Often times if you do your research and scroll through a photographer’s Instagram, you should be able to tell who the actual photographer is. Do they share photos, videos, reels etc about themselves in action at a wedding day? Do they have story highlights where they answer Q&A’s or talk more about their business etc? If you look through their About Page on their website, do they have professional headshots taken?
It’s much easier to feel at ease when booking your wedding photographer if you can tell who you’re working with. So make sure you know who you’re contacting and communicating with.
7: Do They Have a Consistent Editing Style?
Photographers who are newer are still figuring out their editing style and you may notice that their work looks different all the time. Professional wedding photographers will have a consistent wedding style. Don’t get confused with different lighting and settings though. A Utah elopement will certainly look different than a Minnesota wedding. But for the most part, there will be a consistent editing style. Make sure you choose a photographer whose editing style you love! Some examples of editing styles include: Light and Airy, Moody and Dark, Documentary and Cinematic, Timeless and True-to-life etc.
More About Heidi Straus Photography
I’m Heidi- a Minnesota based wedding photographer who specializes in timeless, documentary styled photos. I am an energetic extrovert who loves connecting with my brides and making sure their day runs as smooth as possible.
I hope this blog will help you know if you’re booking a professional wedding photographer! If you’re still looking for a wedding or elopement photographer for you big day, please reach out HERE. I would absolutely love to connect with you!
View comments
+ Leave a comment