5 Steps to Finding a Photographer for Your Raleigh Wedding

Your wedding day is sure to be one of the happiest days of your life. Choosing the right photographer is key to making these special memories last forever. To help you get started, here are 5 steps to finding a photographer for your Raleigh wedding:

1. Choose Your Style

Before you start looking for photographers, take some time to figure out what style you prefer. This will help narrow your search by identifying which type of photographer you want to shoot your wedding. As a general guide, there are 3 popular wedding photography styles:

Documentary: Unlike posed pictures, documentary-style photography consists of spontaneous pictures of your special day. This may include scenes like a picture of the buffet setting before guests begin eating, a table full of laughing bridesmaids or a special toast. Rather than pictures of people looking directly into the camera, this style of photography captures moments as they are and strings them together to tell a story. To get documentary-style photos for your Raleigh wedding, look no further than Azul Photography. This nationally recognized photography team specializes in using documentary-style photography to capture life’s most timeless moments.

Portraiture: If you prefer posed pictures, then a more traditional photographer may be exactly what you need. These classic portraits capture the two of you, your wedding party and family against different backdrops. Portrait-style photography generally consists of traditional pictures (i.e. a picture holding hands at the altar), formal pictures (i.e. posed pictures with your bridal party) and creative poses (i.e. a picture of the newlyweds holding hands outside of their hotel venue). If you choose a creative portraiture style for your Raleigh wedding, Heba Salama Photography may have just what you need. Award winning photographer Heba Salama specializes in taking well-styled portraits.

Edgy: This is a unique style of photography that uses unconventional framing and titled angles to capture moments. Rather than a straight-on picture of the bride walking down the aisle, it might focus on guest reactions or a particular part of the dress rather than the bride herself. For something even edgier, Raleigh’s Hush Boudoir Photography specializes in helping brides-to-be create the sexiest wedding gift ever.

While most Raleigh wedding photographers combine some or all of these photography styles, you may want to consider a specialist if you are drawn to a particular one.

2. Do Your Research

Once you’ve chosen a style, the next step is to research photographers in the Triangle area. Start by asking neighbors, coworkers and friends for their recommendations. Once you get a few names, take some time to browse the photographer’s blog and website to look for pictures of other weddings they worked. This will give you a better sense of their style.

3. Check Their Availability

You’ve researched potential photographers and identified your top favorites. The next step is to call and make sure they are available on your wedding date. If a photographer is unavailable for your wedding day, they may be able to recommend a colleague or associate with a similar style.

4. Schedule Interviews

You’ve researched potential photographers and identified your top favorites. Once you confirm that their fees are within your budget, the next step is to schedule an in-person meeting with your top three or five candidates. This gives you an opportunity to look at their work and identify whether or not your personalities are compatible for this project. Arrive for the meeting well-prepared with details about your venue, your wedding theme and what you expect from your pictures.

5. Compare Packages

It is no secret that wedding photography can get expensive. While it is difficult to determine the exact cost until you know exactly what you want, most photographers can give you a general range of what to expect. During your interviews, be sure to ask about the cost of their basic package and what is included in it. You may also want to query the photographer about potential extras such as engagement pictures or any special effects you choose to add. Having these numbers allows you to compare rates with competitors. It is also a good idea to ask how many hours are included with the basic package. If you want your photographer to remain available for your entire wedding day, you may need to add additional packages to include pre-ceremony events and reception pictures.

A wedding photographer can help make memories of your special day last forever. These 5 tips will help you find the perfect photographer to chronicle your special day.