When you think about the person who you’ll be spending your wedding day with, I’d venture to guess most people are thinking about the man or woman they’re going to marry. But I’ll let you in on a little secret… it’s more than likely going to be your wedding photographer, so it’s really important that you like us.
Think about it. The first half of your wedding day will be spent in hair and makeup, and generally getting ready for your ceremony. That’s time you won’t spend with your future spouse by your side. If you’re not doing a first look, that’s even more time getting portraits taken solo, doing photos with your side of the wedding party, probably seeing your family and traveling to your venue. That whole time, sometimes 4-5 hours of your day, your photographer will be very close by. So you better get along.
Let me repeat that: you need to like your wedding photographer as a person. As a wedding photographer here in the great state of Minnesota, I’ve met with more than a few potential clients who I can tell are holding back and it’s just not clicking. Awkward silences, weird non-answers and generally feeling like I have NO idea what this person is thinking or feeling because they’re too busy being polite. They like to call it Minnesota Nice here. I just call it confusing. Big thumbs down from this girl.
I’m going to ask all of you lovely, midwestern, confrontation-hating brides to not do this when you’re interviewing a photographer for your wedding day.
Love you, mean it. Please knock it off.
If you have a vision for your day, tell us in explicit detail. Tell us if you’re comfortable posing or if you think you’ll need more time to warm up in front of the camera. If you’re asked if you’re flexible and willing to go with the flow, don’t say yes just because you think it’s the right answer. Give us YOUR right answer. It’ll make the situation better for everyone and help you decide if the photographer whose photos you love is also a person you really like. It’s just as important.
This is why it’s so damn important to meet up in person with the photographer you want to work with. While you’re in the same room with your photog, ask all the questions you have and be really honest about what you’re looking for and what you know you don’t want. Open up a little about your life and ask them about theirs. You should look at this person, who you’ve already vetted as being a talented photographer, as your friend. That’s what this meeting is really about. If you can’t see a day where you guys are hanging out without you needing their services, that could be a sign you need to find a better fit.
If you’re going to spend 6-10 hours on the most important day of your whole life with someone, you better freaking like them. This is your time to shine, babe. Make sure you choose a photographer who will not only make you look, but make you feel like a million bucks.
Happy hunting, love!
