As one of the most beautiful cities in the world to hold a wedding, it’s no surprise that there are hundreds of wedding photographers in Chicago eager for your business. But how do you narrow down which one is right for you?
Here are some things to remember when looking for photographers for your wedding in Chicago:
Ask Your Friends For Recommendations
No clue where to start? Ask your friends and family! There may be reliable photographers they have used in the past that would be perfect for your ceremony. Publish a post on Facebook that details your needs and watch as the responses roll in.
Yelp and other business-review sites are also great resources for recommendations. In general, it’s best to hire a wedding photographer with experience and credentials.
Amateur photographers still have the potential to do a great job, but hiring them comes with the risk of your wedding photos looking like a beginner took them. The more positive reviews and years of experience a photography company has, the more confident you can be that you will treasure your wedding photos for years to come.
Communicate Your Needs
As the bride or groom, your needs are more important than anyone else’s. It’s essential that the photographer you hire is aware of exactly what you are looking for with your wedding photos.
Would you prefer your wedding album to be filled with candid shots of you and your guests enjoying yourselves? Make sure they know that and can show you examples of candid shots that they’ve done in the past. Would you rather have your family pose formally for photos before or after the ceremony?
Communicate that clearly to your photographer and review some of their posed shots before making a decision.
Some soon-to-be newlyweds desire a theme for their wedding. Maybe you want your wedding photos to have a retro or old-timey feel? Hire a photographer that has experience with or is open to taking themed photos of you and your wedding party. Obviously, you want your wedding photographer to have the expertise to put together a great wedding album for you and your family. But they should also be open to receiving your suggestions. After all, it’s your wedding. Make sure they let you choose the final shots for the album. They should also be open to lighting and effect suggestions.
Discuss Logistics
One of the many benefits of hiring an established photography company in Chicago is that they will likely be more organized and poised. They have taken photos for weddings before, and they know how to remain calm amongst all the craziness.
It’s never a good idea to start your photographer search until you’ve booked the venue for your ceremony. Once you know where your wedding will be held, you can begin coordinating with your photographer on where posed photos will be taken, if you desire any.
But most importantly, once the venue is finalized, the date is set. The photographer you want has to be available that day, or it’s back to the drawing board. There is also a lot of planning that goes into a wedding photo-shoot, like securing the equipment and making sure assistants are available if necessary.
The earlier you can let a photography company know the details of your wedding, the less confusion there will be on the day of your wedding (and the less stressed out you’ll be!)
Choose a Photographer You Get Along With
One thing that people don’t always consider when hiring a photographer is that the photographers you choose will essentially be guests at your wedding. They will mingle with your family and friends, be present for every perfect moment, and be a huge part of ensuring that your wedding goes off without any issues. Because of this, it’s very important that you have a good relationship with them.
As stated before, you should choose your photographer early on in the wedding planning process.
Schedule an interview at your home or at their offices and get to know them as well as you can. Establishing a rapport will not only make communication easier, it will make you more comfortable with the photography company that you choose.
Make sure you choose photographers with amicable personalities. If they seem high-strung or stressed out, it might be difficult to coordinate anything with them on your wedding day. Your entire wedding party could be subject to unnecessary tension. It’s imperative that your photographer is reassuring and confident in the fact that they will be able to give you the best photos they can.
The Right Wedding Photographer Might Be Closer Than You Think!
Finding the right wedding photographer in your area doesn’t have to be difficult. There’s no need to look much further than Lakeshore Photography and Video to find a wedding photographer that will give you high-quality photos while being receptive to anything you might need on the most special day of your life. Please Contact Us for more information on rates and packages!