![]() Once couples and their families settle on a venue and choose a wedding date, the next important item on the list of wedding-to-dos is often choosing a photographer. You found a gorgeous backdrop for your dream wedding, now the focus shifts to finding the right person or team to capture memories to last a lifetime. Most experts agree that style is the most important consideration when narrowing your list of top photographers. With Facebook and Instagram feeds full of images from friends’ and families’ engagement photo shoots and weddings, chances are you are already drawn to a certain look and feel. Peter Nguyen of Peter Nguyen Photography believes, “style is the most important factor couples should consider … I highly recommend couples take time to look through the photographer’s recent works. Create a private Pinterest board for wedding photo samples and inspirations, and share it with your photographer.” From the style of photography to the nitty-gritty details of budgets, proofs, and prints, choosing a photographer can seem like a daunting task. No one wants to look through their wedding album years from now and be disappointed with the images. Though you may “ooh” and “aah” over artistic images and creative, out-of-this-world poses, there are many factors to consider (both practical and your own wants and needs) as well as questions to ask potential photographers. |
||
Factors to Consider![]() Most photographers agree, it comes down to personality, personality, personality! Stephana Ferrell of Sona Photography stresses, “You have a vision for your day, and you’ll need someone behind the lens that can capture it for you the way you want it. Just as there are painters with different techniques to paint the same media/subject, your photographer and cinematographer will have a unique way of “seeing” your event. Likewise, personalities need to click as this will be a day with some hiccups and time management concerns- make sure all of your vendors will support you through your day and not add to the stress.For some couples, you may need to experience the photographer in action, so consider using your Engagement Photo Session as a trial run. Soham Patel of Soham Photography adds that doing an Engagement Photo Shoot help the photographer to “understand the bride and groom and their personality.” Your photographer is one vendor who is truly going to be with you every step of the way, so the connection you feel with him or her is not one to be taken lightly.Budget Budget is always an important consideration for any vendor that you choose. Most photographers agree though, that budget alone should not influence your choice until you have narrowed down your list. Factor in the photographer’s ability to capture stunning images in the style you want. Also, be sure to compare apples to apples; in other words, prices do not always reflect the same time commitment or printing/album choices. Experience Wedding Photography Styles |
||
Prepare for Your First Meeting Once the list of photographers has been narrowed, focus on gathering the right information at each of your meetings. Kimberly Romano of Kimberly Photography reminds couples to approach their first meeting with an “open mind. Come prepared with what you want to know from your photographer. Let us walk you through the process and ask questions, even if you’re unsure about the question.”In addition to technical questions about the contract, fees, and equipment, here are a few more to keep in mind during the first meeting:
In reflecting on the role of a photographer, Amish Thakkar of Fine Art Productions states, “We don’t simply click and process pictures, we preserve the exact emotion you had during your wedding, and pack it into one beautiful remembrance of a wedding portrait.” So as you narrow your choices, consider how your first meetings went. Did you feel at ease with the photographer? Was there a connection, and did he/she understand your expectations? Will your emotions be captured to live on in beautiful portraits? Listening to your own intuition is just as important as considering budget and style. |
||
Favorite Wedding Moments The experts share their favorite wedding moments.Altaf (Shennai Art Studio): To be honest, every wedding moment is my favorite moment! Ashok (Digital Dream Studio): Covering the entire Wedding! Especially capturing all the sentimental moments. Kimberly (Kimberly Photography): After the ceremony…. for most, the ceremony is one of the most nerve-wracking, stressful parts of the wedding. Making sure everything starts on time, being in front of all your family and friends. Once it’s over, you see the stress go away and couples are in complete love and bliss. Niulka and Luis (NSPG Media): My favorite moment of a wedding is the reception. It’s like the finale to a fireworks show saving all of the sparkle and excitement until the end! Peter (Peter Nguyen Photography): The bride’s entrance is by far my most favorite wedding moment. I love capturing the groom’s look when he sees his bride for the first time in her wedding dress. Seema (Zamana Lifestyles): I love that the weddings in the Indian culture involve all the families, friends, relatives, acquaintances, work colleagues… everyone comes to celebrate with the couple. There is so much love, joy and happiness…so many priceless moments to capture! Soham (Soham Photography): When the clients and family/friends are having fun during all moments of the wedding … especially because pictures always come out great when people are happy! Stephana (Sona Photography): My favorite moment is when the Bride and Groom see each other for the first time! In most cases, we are there with them prior to this moment, and the preparation and anticipation for that first gaze just makes for such amazing energy and emotion […] It is such a special moment, and I feel so honored when a couple entrusts us to capture it. |
||
Photographers Special thanks to the photographers who contributed their thoughts and advice to this article. | ||
Digital Dream Studio Tel: 407-791-6064 www.digitaldreamstudio.com |
Fine Art Productions Tel: 732-662-5555 www.fineartproductions.net |
Kimberly Photography Tel: 727-543-9723 www.kimberly-photography.com |
NSPG Media Tel: 407-301-8648 www.nspgmedia.com |
Peter Nguyen Photography Tel: 678-428-2521 www.peternguyenphoto.com |
Shennai Art Studio Tel: 678-485-0486 www.shehnaiproduction.com |
Soham Photography Tel: 678-852-8525 www.sohamphotography.com |
Sona Photography Tel: 646-250-6337 www.sonaphotography.com |
Zamana Lifestyles Tel: 678-860-2921 www.zamanaphoto.com |
For more information, visit www.thearpangroup.com or call (703) 651-6670. |
||
Article appeared in June 2015 Desh-Videsh. |


