How to Find and Hire the Best Wedding Photographers in Mobile, AL
If it happens to rain for the entirety of your wedding day, you’ll want a great photographer by your side to make the most of it. While we can’t control the weather, we can make stunning photographs in any situation.
There are a quarter of a million wedding photographers in America.
If you're getting married, it can be tricky to figure out all of your vendors before the big day. Your photographer is one of the most important because it's how you document and remember the wedding. But with so many available, narrowing down your search is overwhelming, to say the least.
There are a few key things to look out for when hiring wedding photographers in Mobile, AL. It's not going to be an easy decision by any means, but when you have your criteria laid out before you, you'll be able to narrow down the search and ultimately select the right person for the job.
As one of the top wedding photographers in the area, we feel uniquely qualified to give you this advice. Read on and learn how to find a photographer that can deliver wedding photos that you'll look back on with joy and happiness.
Come Up With a Budget
You'll need a detailed wedding budget to figure out what vendors you want and can afford. Carving out some room for photography should always be a priority because it allows you to look back on your wedding day.
There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to a budget. Photographers range between $2,000 and $10,000, but it really depends on what you're asking them to do.
Having a budget in mind and looking at photographer rates will help you get a sense of your options. At Storyhouse Photography, you can contact us for a consultation and let us know what your budget is so we can try to work with you.
Look At Portfolios for Inspiration
If you've been dreaming about your wedding day your entire life, there's a good chance you're going to have an idea of the photography style that you want. If you don't, it's smart to look at different photographers' portfolios to see what stylistic choices different photographers make.
This is a great way to get inspiration for your own photos. Photography is an art form, so a lot of what you see are deliberate artistic choices. If you fall in love with a particular style, make sure to bring it to any consultations to show potential photographers what you're thinking.
It goes beyond the actual look of the photo, however. You also need to look at what the people in the picture are doing. Making an emotional connection with your wedding photos is just as important as the stylistic stuff.
Consider Lighting At the Venue
Lighting makes a big difference in the outcome of a photo, so you need to think about your venue when choosing wedding photography services. At the end of the day, you can't control what happens outside, so your photographer needs to have all of the gear to make anything work.
When you meet with potential photographers and tell them your wedding date, they should have a good idea of what the weather might be like. They should be able to explain all of the different options for different circumstances to put your mind at ease.
Referrals, Ratings, and Reviews
In a town like Mobile, there are a few different ways to get leads on wedding photographers. Of course, if you have friends or family that have gotten married lately, referrals are a great way to get started. Your wedding is your own, however, so you should still do your own research.
The best way to separate a great Mobile, AL wedding photographer from the "just good" ones is to look at online reviews. Former clients can give you all of the information you need about what it's like to work with a photographer, how long it takes to get shots back, and what the finished product looked like.
They'll also be able to tell you if there are any issues, which is the information you're really looking for. You never want problems with your wedding photographer, so take these red flags seriously and ask the photographer about them if you need to.
Hold Meetings
Choose a few of the best-rated photographers that have the right style and set up consultations with them. During this, you just want to get a sense of how the photographer operates. After all, they'll be spending your wedding day with you, so it's important that your personalities jive.
Take this opportunity to ask any questions that you have about their services or their process on the day. If you're looking for videography, ask if they do wedding videos as well. Ask them if they're bringing any assistants that you need to account for.
You can find a list of important questions to ask here.
Understand Photo Rights
One important thing to understand is who holds the rights to the photos. Permissions and legal details pertaining to wedding photography can be a bit counterintuitive. Most couples assume they own the photos, but photographers often want to retain the rights for use in their portfolios.
The way it usually works is that the photographer technically "owns" the rights to the photos, but the couple gets to use them however they choose. It may not sound like a big deal, but it's important to clear up before you hire a photographer.
Timelines
The last thing you'll need to nail down before hiring a wedding photographer is how long it'll take to get the photos back after the wedding day. Realistically, the shooting day is only the first step in the photographer's job.
They need to pore over the photos to select the best ones, then edit them so they look perfect when you receive them. If there are any wedding videos involved, this will prolong the process. How long it takes depends on how much they have to do and how busy they are, but 8-12 weeks is reasonable.
Hire the Best Wedding Photographers in Mobile, AL
If you follow these tips, you'll be able to find a really great wedding photographer that'll put your mind at ease on your wedding day. If you're an Alabaman couple, you'd be remiss not to reach out to the best wedding photographers in Mobile, AL, Storyhouse Photography Co.
Having been named a top photography option by The Knot, we're sure we can help commit your dream wedding to memory. Contact us today to find out more about our photography and videography services, and to schedule a consultation.