When the wedding day arrives and passes, the food and drink consumed, the guests are gone and the flowers are done, the one thing you have left of that day is the wedding photos. That is why wedding photography is such a big industry, people want those memories of that day full of love to look at over the years moving forwards. But with so many photographers to choose from, how do you know which Santa Barbara wedding photographer is best for your wedding? Here we look at some things to think about as you choose a photographer so that you are more likely to get exactly what you want.
Things to consider
1) What budget do you have?
The adage you get what you pay for is there for a reason so going for the most affordable option in this situation is likely to get you a photographer with little experience or skill. Pricing can be a reflection of their quality of work. But that does not mean that the highest quote must be the best option. As well as looking at your budget and their pricing also look at other aspects such as experience, reviews, and style. This way you are more likely to get someone good at their job so you are happy with the photos you get. Also, artists like RayCee the Artist offer different packages for wedding and other events so you can choose the one as per your requirements and budget. Remember you are paying not just for their time on the day but also for the setting up and plans they make, for their editing and sorting and retouching skills and for their artistic touch. If you are looking for a Los Angeles wedding photographer within a tighter budget, look for one that offers packages, some might even have payment plans.
2) Start doing some homework
When you have an idea of your budget you can start looking for names. You can do this the old-fashioned way by asking friends, neighbors and family if they have someone they recommend, and you can sit online and do a local search and see what comes up. Do go past that first page of names, there are some great photographers that might not have great SEO and so are not ranking as well as they should!
3) Narrow down your list
When you have a long list of options you can now work on narrowing it down to about five to ten. Look at their website and see how professional it looks. If they cannot manage a decent website that does not reflect well on how they will manage your pictures. See if they have photos on their site and consider their style. Do you find the images too light or too dark? Are they inconsistent? Is it all too posed for your liking? Nowadays photographers use photoshop a lot but do you feel it is too much? Do you feel the emotion of the day? All these questions can help you narrow the search down.
4) Are they available on your date?
A simple enough next step is to see if the Santa Barbara wedding photographer options you are considering are actually available on your date. That might take some off the list if they are already booked. Keep in mind the good photographers get booked far in advance so it is a good idea to get yours booked around a year before. This is a good way to get a feel for them when you talk as well.
5) Meet with them
Now you have hopefully just a handful of names, maybe even 2 or 3. Meet with them and ask to see their portfolio paying attention to style, lighting and so on. Get a feel for their commitment, professionalism, experience and personality. Ask any questions you might have about their packages.
6) Make the final call
Now you have to make your choice for the Los Angeles wedding photographer you want to hire for your wedding. Good luck!
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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