How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you can make for your wedding (other than who you marry) and it can be stressful and overwhelming.

The photography industry is not formally regulated and there are no degrees or licenses needed to operate a business. There's also no set standard on pricing so packages can vary widely between photographers.

Oh, and there are approximately 1 million photographers per square mile. How then should you chose?

1. First Identify Your Style

If you're not artistically inclined it might feel difficult to identify your photographic style. Try this exercise to determine your preferences.

Make a private Pinterest board and pin wedding images that you love. Go crazy and pin as many as you want.

Now go through them and try to identify some patterns. Are the photos light and bright? Dark and moody? Do they have a film quality to them or look like they belong in a fashion magazine?

Some of the basic photography styles are:

Traditional/Classic: Think your parents wedding photos with everyone posed and smiling at the camera. There’s nothing wrong with this style and most photographers will take some photos where everyone is looking at the camera, but if you want all of your photos to be posed and formal a traditional photographer will be your best choice.

Photo Journalistic/Documentary: The stealth ninjas among photographers and the opposite of traditional photographers. If you just want candid photos of your day this style is for you. Photojournalists don't direct any of the action. There's no posing, just documenting.

Fine Art: Involves dramatic artistic angles, creative lighting, and unique perspectives.

Lifestyle: My personal favorite! Lifestyle photography has an editorial feel to it. The subjects are usually posed but in a way that looks natural and often with movement. I love posing couples and then have them interact to draw out natural emotion.

2. Determine your Budget

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. You can easily find someone to take your wedding photos for $500.

But… are you going to like them?

Generally speaking the price of the photography indicates the quality. Higher priced photographers usually have more experience, skill, and better equipment.

There are many different pricing structures that photographers offer and they should walk you through their packages and exactly what they entail.

Good photography is expensive and it’s a luxury service. But it’s also one of the few tangible things that will remain from your wedding day. You don’t want to spend a lot of money on a beautiful wedding and end up with photos you don’t love.

3. What Products Do You Want?

Some photographers only offer digital files. Some only offer printed products. Most offer a mix between the two.

While there is no wrong way to sell images to a client, make sure you are clear beforehand on what types of products your photographer sells.

Digital files are great to share on social media, but do you remember 3 1/2in floppy discs? What if all your images were on one, how would access them today? CD’s are almost obsolete, and even USB drives are being phased out!

Make sure you backup any digital files you receive on multiple devices. When you purchase a new device, be sure to transfer your photos!

Most photographers also offer heirloom quality print products. This is the best way to ensure your photos survive the generations.

4. Ask Friends for a Referral

If you loved the photographer from your cousin’s wedding ask for a referral!

Sometimes it’s easier to find a photographer through someone who has recently worked with one.

They’ll be able to tell you what it was like working with the photographer and if you love their photos they might be a good fit for you!

5. Do You Like and Trust Them?

In my opinion this is the most important thing to consider when looking for a photographer.

You’re going to pay this person a lot of money in the hopes that they will deliver beautiful images on one of your most important days.

You really need to like and trust this person to feel confident about your decision.

At the end of the day it doesn’t matter what lens they use or how many awards they’ve won.

Do they respond promptly to your communication?

Do they honestly and thoroughly answer your questions?

Do you like their personality enough to spend an entire day with them?

Will they love on your family and treat them with respect?
 

I hope this was helpful! If you have any questions about searching for a photographer or if you’re in the New England area and want a lifestyle wedding photographer I’d love to talk to you!

I Just Got Engaged, Now What?

Hooray, you’re engaged!! You have a sparkly new ring on your finger, you’re practicing saying “my fiance” instead of “my boyfriend/girlfriend” and you’re getting a flood of happy messages from family & friends.

And then the questions begin: When’s the big day? Where are you getting married? What are your colors?

Cue the frantic googling/Pinteresting/spreadsheets.

Before you dive into the wild and overwhelming world of wedding planning sit down with your fiance and make a few key decisions first. This will keep you focused and lead you towards the day you envision.

THE 5 WEDDING PLANNING BASICS: WHAT, WHO, HOW, WHERE, WHEN:

1.THE WHAT

First create a shell of what you want your day to look like. Have you always dreamed of a tented wedding? Do you want to get married in your family’s church? Do you have a lot of family/friends that would have to travel and find lodging?

Think about the general flow of the day and how you want it to feel. If you have the ceremony and reception on the same property there’s less rushing around and more time to hang out with your loved ones. If your ceremony and reception sites are in different locations you’ll have to allot time for travel. Make a basic outline of how you want the day to flow and build on that.

2. THE WHO

The next step is to list out all the people you want to invite. Having a rough idea of your guest count will help you set a budget and choose a venue. Start making a list within a wedding planning app or google spreadsheet (use something that you can add addresses to and keep track of yes/no’s later) Start with immediate family and work outwards to friends, work friends, parent friends, etc.

3. THE HOW

Time to talk about the budget. Have an honest conversation with your families and ask them what they’re comfortable contributing. Everyone’s financial situation is different and it’s important that everyone feels good about the budget. I would also recommend using a site that allows you to create a budget and manage communication with vendors. It’s sooo much easier to have everything in one place and be able to see where your money is going and how much is left.

Be prepared for some sticker shock when researching vendors. Weddings are a one time event and there’s a lot of work that vendors have to do to make sure your details are perfect. Pick 2-3 areas of your wedding that are a priority and adjust the rest of your budget accordingly. For example, you might decide that food, photography, and florals are a priority so you may have to adjust your expectations in other areas.

4. THE WHERE

What kind of venue do you want to get married at? Are you dreaming of a seaside reception on the cape? A rustic barn in New Hampshire? A historic home with beautiful gardens? Once you narrow down the feel of your venue start looking for places that fit the bill. Set up a few site visits and ask what’s included and what you’ll have to supply on your own. A lot of venues charge substantially more for a Saturday evening wedding. Do you have your heart set on a Saturday or would a Friday date work just as well?

5. THE WHEN

It’s time to set a date! Some things to consider. Summer and fall are popular times to get married. Many venues book up a few years in advance. If you’re flexible with your date it’s a good idea to visit a few venues and see what they have available. Once you get that locked down you can start booking other vendors.

6. VENDORS TO BOOK FIRST

Venue: Many book up years in advance and a lot of other vendors won’t let you book them unless you have a date and venue.

Ceremony Location: If you’re not getting married at your reception venue it’s also important to find and book a ceremony location early on.

Planner: Some couples like to hire a planner before they go venue hunting. A planner can help you look for a venue and they can help you with all your other vendors. Many times a planner can help you save money, as they have experience working within a budget and know the ins and outs of planning.

Photographer/Videographer: Photographers and Videographers also book up a year or 2 in advance!

Happy wedding planning! Above all remember that while this is a special day the only thing that really matters is that you marry the love of your life. All the other details are just extras.

Are you looking for a wedding photographer in the New England area? If so I’d love to chat!

Best of 2018 - Erica Pezente Photography

Thank you to all my clients/friends for another amazing year! 2018 was the best year yet and it’s all thanks to the wonderful people I got to work with. I’ve rounded up my favorite images from the year, there were lots of Wellesley College photo shoots, a few elopements in Boston, new babies, and photos of my own family!

Darian & Chris were visiting from Georgia and wanted photos on Fan Pier. Darian is a photographer too and she and Chris were so much fun to shoot with.

I shot 2 Boston elopements this year, Boston is the perfect place to elope and I loved exploring the city!

I participated in the 3rd annual free photos for public safety families at Goddard State Park and started my own event here in Framingham! Taking photos of families with their officer in uniform is always a highlight of the year. The families are so sweet and I had a repeat family this year with their new baby!

And then we have fall minis! I loved seeing all my repeat clients and meeting new families. I took the majority of these at Wellesley College, I’m there so often they’re going to charge me tuition :)

I also took lots of family photos! My parents are in the first photo and the rest are my cousins.

My favorite college roommate (on the right) welcomed her son into the world this year!

Thank you again to all of the wonderful people who trusted me with their photos! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, bring on 2019!!