Finding the right wedding photographer for your big day can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to start your search. As an engaged couple in Victoria, British Columbia, you want to make sure that your photographer captures all the special moments of your wedding day. In this blog, we will discuss tips and strategies to help you find the perfect wedding photographer in Victoria BC and make the most of your search.
1. Determine Your Style:
Before you start your search for a wedding photographer in Victoria BC, it’s important to determine the style you want for your wedding photos. Do you prefer traditional posed shots or more candid, photojournalistic images? Do you want your photos to be vibrant and colorful or soft and dreamy? Do you like dark and moody? Fast paced? It’s important to recognize which wedding images you are drawn to and find a Wedding Photographer with that style. Knowing your preferred style will help you narrow down your search and find a photographer whose work aligns with your vision.
2. Search for Recommendations:
Ask friends, family, wedding planners, wedding venues, and of course Google for recommendations for wedding photographers in Victoria BC. Word of mouth is a powerful tool and can be a great way to find a photographer who has a good reputation in the community. Some Wedding Photographers can be rated great but in reality, their personality might not be what you need. You can also check online reviews and social media platforms to see what others have to say about different photographers.
3. Check Their Portfolio:
Once you have a list of potential wedding photographers, take a look at their portfolios. This will give you a good idea of their style, their ability to capture special moments, and the quality of their work. You can also check their social media pages to see if they have recent posts or reviews from past clients.
Remember, some Wedding Photographers are SO busy and might not have updated their portfolio on their website, that’s why it is important to check their social media as well.
If I was looking for a Wedding Photographer in Victoria BC, I would look for someone with really natural candid moments (well, that’s my style but it might not be yours!) so I would look for REAL moments, not just posed ones.
4. Consider Their Availability (or book around their schedule):
Make sure to check the availability of the photographers on your list. You don’t want to fall in love with a photographer’s work only to find out they are already booked on your wedding date. Most photographers have an online calendar or booking system that allows you to check their availability and make a reservation but if not, it doesn’t hurt to reach out. Desired Wedding Photographers in Victoria BC usually get booked at least 1 year in advance!
Personally, I have had a few clients plan their wedding date around my availability. It is extremely flattering when this happens! If there is a vendor you absolutely MUST HAVE, then make sure to book them first and then do the rest from there.
4. Communicate Your Expectations:
Once you have found a wedding photographer you like, communicate your expectations for your wedding day. This will help ensure that the photographer is aware of your needs and can provide the best possible service – and if they can’t, they will recommend you to other photographers that can. You can also discuss any specific shots or poses that you would like to have captured.
For example, when I work with wedding clients, I LOVE looking at their Pinterest boards to see exactly what they want out of their Wedding Photography.
6. Meet In Person or Hop On A Call
Meeting with a Victoria BC Wedding Photographer on your list in person or on a call will give you a great idea of their personality and how you can expect the day to go, what you can expect to receive from them, how they will handle you in front of the camera, how they make their couples comfortable, and much more. You can also see their portfolio in person and discuss your expectations and any questions you may have. This will help you determine if the photographer is a good fit for you and your wedding day. Remember, you will be around your Wedding Photographer for at least half of your wedding day so it’s VERY important that you like them.
Ideas For Questions To Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Here are some important questions you could consider asking a wedding photographer before hiring them – keep in mind that these things might not be important to you so you don’t have to ask all of them. Ask questions that are important to you!
- Can you provide examples of your previous wedding photography work? (If you haven’t seen it already)
- How do you approach a wedding photography session?
- How many final edited images can we expect to receive?
- What is included in your photography package?
- How do you handle unexpected events like bad weather?
- What is your policy on retouching and editing of photos?
- Do you work alone or will you have a 2nd shooter?
- Are you available to meet with us before the wedding day?
- When can we plan an engagement shoot?
- What is your booking and payment process?
- What is your timeline for delivering the final edited images?
- If I have a specific image in mind, will you help create it for us?
- What kind of images do you like to capture the most? What do you like to focus on?
- Do you have any dietary restrictions and where would you like to eat during dinner?
- Do you have any advice for us? How does our timeline look to you?
Conclusion
Finding the perfect wedding photographer for your big day is an important task. By following these tips and strategies, you can make the most of your search and find a photographer in Victoria BC who will capture all the special moments of your wedding day. Remember to communicate your expectations, compare quotes, and meet with the photographers in person to ensure that you find the perfect fit for your big day. Good luck!
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Victoria BC Wedding Photographer & Videographer
Hey, if you’re new here, I’m Hayley, a Victoria BC Wedding Photographer and Videographer!
Most couples struggle to feel a genuine connection and realness when posing for a camera.
I ditch ‘cookie cutter’ photography methods to create a deeper bond between couples resulting in a rush of emotions every time they see their pictures.
I go above and beyond to help create moments where you can have fun, feel comfortable, connected, and playful, even in front of a camera. If you’re looking for bright, vibrant, emotional, and exciting images, you’ve come to the right place!
I specialize as a Vancouver Island Wedding Photographer & Wedding Videographer working in Victoria, Campbell River, and the rest of the world!
I have a deep passion for outdoor photos and love searching for new hidden gems. Do you enjoy the outdoors? I specialize in working in the outdoor elements: beach, river, lake, ocean, forest, you name it and I’m there.
If you’re ready to find your perfect Victoria BC Wedding Photographer to capture all of the real and raw moments of your wedding day, take a look at my wedding photography page and let’s see if we are a good match! When it comes to being your wedding photographer, my goal is to support you through out the whole process and make sure that your dream wedding becomes a reality!