The 4 Ps of Choosing your Photographer

When discussing with future brides/grooms if I am the right fit for them, or when sharing with my friends and family how to find the right photographer, I always tell them to focus on the 4 Ps. I feel like it can be overwhelming because the market is so saturated with so many different styles, price points, and types of photography that so many people don’t even know where to start. I suggest starting with the P that is most important to you from these four options: pricing/packages, portfolio, personality, and preservation.

If you are on a budget you are going to want to focus on Pricing/Packaging as your first and most important P. I recommend googling the average price for photographers in the area; but don’t be scared if it is higher than what you hoped to spend. You can find a photographer for nearly any budget, but know that you get what you pay for, a budget photographer may not always be the best fit for your other Ps. The other half of this P is package – what is included that is important to you? Do you want an engagement session included, 2 photographers, a videographer, etc. in the same package? Find someone that all the Ps match your vision, but most importantly fit within your pricing and have the package that you want.

Once you have decided on the pricing and package that fits your needs and wants you will want to find someone whose portfolio matches how you envision your day. Are you a classic, true to color kind of bride or groom; a modern, low saturation type; or maybe you prefer a moodier, more sepia-toned look. Google different photography styles on the spectrum from light and airy to dark and moody and you will be sure to find a photographer whose style fits what you are looking for.

The next big P is personality! Your photographer is one of, if not THE ONE person you spend the most time with on your wedding day. You deserve someone who helps feed into the way you picture your day, not someone who distracts from it or causes unnecessary stress. It should be someone professional, who can go with the flow and roll with the punches, and deliver you beautiful images no matter what. You also deserve someone you get along with, it is a good sign when you want to keep hanging out after your initial meeting with them!

Finally, preservation is an easy P to miss. People don’t think about how their photos are kept safe after their big day. Will you be receiving a USB of your images as part of your package? If not, how will you plan to keep your photos safe? A good photographer can easily explain how their couples’ photos will be preserved should anything happen, not only on the wedding day, but for years after. A great photographer has several different backups in several different areas. It is also important to consider how YOU will preserve your photos – this is a good time to consider if you want a USB, a custom photo album, or prints delivered with your gallery. I always recommend at least printing your favorite photos!

Your perfect photographer will fit with all your Ps, and you shouldn’t have to settle on a single one! If you are lucky enough to find multiple photographers who fill all of your Ps, I recommend seeing if any of them have photographed at your venue before; they will bring an added level of expertise to your big day.