Our Top 5 Tips For Finding The Right Wedding Photographer In Vancouver, BC
Weddings are nothing short of magical. After all, they're incredibly memorable, and just so darn meaningful.
Among all of the keepsakes to help you commemorate the incredibly special night - your wedding photographs and videos are probably going to be some of the most important.
You'll be looking back on them decades down the line, reminiscing about the magic of your wedding night, the vows you made, that first dance you shared, and the sweet kisses you had as a newly-wed couple.
And with how important these photos and videos are, it's no secret that picking out the best wedding photographer in Vancouver is going to make a world of difference.
Sure, you could just opt for whomever you find first on Yelp first...
However, working with someone that really gets you, someone that you trust and ultimately feel comfortable with is going to really help the magic shine through many years after you get married.
So, to help save hours upon hours in research, and hopefully find the best photographer or videographer for your wedding - here are our top tips on what to look out for on your search.
1. Decide On Your Style
Before you set out on the hunt for professional photographers to shoot your wedding night, you should have a clear-cut idea of the style you're after.
This is a good time to pencil in your ideas and the general theme that gets you excited. Are you opting for a natural style? Does something more along the lines of modern luxe float your boat? Or maybe you're keen on fine art or contemporary?
As you settle on these ideas, keep your venue in mind, as it'll definitely help guide your thinking in the right direction.
Once you're settled on a few keynotes - you can hand them over to prospective photographers and videographers to get a feel for their creative vision and how well-aligned it is with your own.
2. Get Familiar With Their Portfolio
When you're considering any given creative professional, one of the first things you should do is pop on over to their portfolio.
But, it's not just about seeing if they've got lots of experience, or an ample handful of examples to show off. It's about getting in touch with their style and getting a feel for their approach - lining that up against your own wants/needs.
Once you've found someone whose portfolio totally resonates with you and gets you inspired, you've got a solid candidate!
3. Don't Fear The Pricetags
As with most things in life, it's often near-intuitive to shy away from higher prices and opt for something "affordable" instead. However, more often than not, the saying "you get what you pay for" applies.
When it comes to perfectly capturing the magic of your wedding night - it definitely pays to have the best wedding photographers and wedding videographers on your roster.
An experienced and skilled photographer will know the perfect timing to get that shot of the groom seeing you walk down the aisle, how to get the perfect stills, and capture the smallest moments of magic that you've never even thought possible.
So, set a budget, but be prepared to break the bank in order to work with someone whose work you really love and resonate with!
4. Interview Your Top Candidates
Once you've got a few potential candidates lined up, it's time to talk with them to see who's going to be the best fit for you and your wedding.
Of course, most photographers will offer their portfolio at this point - however, it's always a good idea to look beyond the top picks of their own work. Check out their social media profiles, and look through their wedding photo gallery to see if they're regularly uploading new photos and videos from their recent work (for example, you can check out our recent work right here).
In addition to this, given that you've already got a venue in mind, it's also a good idea to see if the photographer has shot at the venue previously. When it comes to a city like Vancouver, chances are they're already familiar with the ins and outs of shooting at the location your magical night will be hosted at.
Lastly, it's worthwhile to find out who exactly will be shooting your wedding. While many smaller teams and solo photographers work by themselves, or with a trusted assistant - you'll find that larger studios typically have an entire roster, which can sometimes create a bit of a miss-match if you're not careful.
5. Trust Your Gut!
At the end of the day, once you've narrowed down your list of would-be-photographers for your wedding, it's time to make the final decision.
And sometimes, you're left with more than just one totally evident "best pick". This can make your choice that much tougher and far more confusing.
Our advice? Trust your gut!
When you're picking between two photographers, having reviewed their work creative vision and pricing, sometimes you'll just have to fall back on your gut feeling to make the best possible choice. After all, you know yourself best, and your subconscious will often steer you in the right direction.
Closing Thoughts
And there you have it folks - our top 5 tips on choosing the perfect wedding photographer for your ceremony!
We hope that our tips have given you some insight into things that you'll need to keep in mind while you're looking around. And hopefully, our advice gives you an idea or two to help you find the best possible candidate to capture the magic of your wedding night.
With that said - why not start your search right here with us?
Lumina Inc. is one of Vancouver's leading wedding and event photography and videography companies. Let's sit down for a coffee and talk about how we can help you capture the amazing memories you'll have!