In this post I´m going to try to give you some tips to make your search easier and to make sure you’re hiring the best photographer for your wedding.

 1 – The Style

If there is a MUST when you start searching for your photographer, it would be that you have to like his or her style. You really have to love it. There are thousands and thousands of wedding photographers in the world. Look at all the pictures you can and don´t limit your research to the first google search results. Take all the time you can to look on the internet and social medias such as instagram.

There are lots of different kinds of photographers. Some prefer posed shoots, and some (like me) love a more relaxed and candid style. Choose the photographer who´s work is closest to your own visual tastes. It´s almost impossible for a photographer to try and tailor their work to each individuals preference… so it makes sense to have a shared sense of the sorts of photography you like, and will make for a happy partnership!

2 – First contact

Make a wish list with the photographers you like, and proceed to make the first contact. Get in touch with the one, or the ones, you like most.

Some of us have our prices on the website and others don´t. Whatever the case, ask for more details about the professional: the rates and what that rates include and, obviously, if they have your chosen date available. At the latest, I´d recommend to do it eight or ten months in advance.

The rapport between you and the photographer is very important. You are going to share very important and intimate moments with them – so you want someone there you can get along with!

3 – The budget

Ok, you have selected and contacted the photographers you like, and one of them has the date free. Now is the moment to talk about the money stuff. Photography is an expensive world. For a photographer, having the right photographic equipment and knowing how to use it in the best way to get the best picture possible in the best moment takes a lot of money, training and experience. To which we must also add the artistic and emotional value of photography.

A photographer with huge experience, great technique and the best equipment is going to be more expensive than someone amateur. You have to decide what the photos mean to you, and what price you´d pay for them…Also to consider is the end result you really want. Do you need an album or would digital files suit you better? How many hours do you want the photographer to cover?

When you speak with him or her, tell them about what you would like to have, even if is not involved in the rates they sent to you . We are not robots and we are usually open to suggestions!

4 – Sell your project

This is a very important tip. I know colleagues who prefer “easy weddings”. They like to cover the same kind of weddings in the same places. I respect this choice, but don’t share it personally at all.

Some photographers – as I – love to cover all different kinds of weddings. If you are planning a fairytale wedding in an old barn with lake views, many photographers would love to cover it and would be happy, for sure, to offer you discounts. This is where mutual tastes come in to play…and after you´ve sold an idea to a photographer they would love to be involved in it! Don´t forget some photographers are in this profession for the love of it, and if we could do it for free we would!

5 – The deal

So you have spoken with a photographer whose style you love, who has the date free and is in your budget. At this point I would recommend having “the last” appointment. Due to my travels and my nomadic style of life, I usually have great (some times hilarious) Skype meetings.

Once you are sure you want to hire your photographer, tell them to send you a written quote where all the prices and conditions are clearly included.

If you have followed these 5 simple tips you will have chosen the best wedding photographer for your big day and you won´t have to worry about it anymore. Now relax and enjoy it!!

Where to start looking?

Now you know the steps to finding your best wedding photographer… why don´t you start your search?! Visit my gallery if you would like to see examples of different weddings in pictures, or to see a full wedding like this stunning Santa Cruz wedding . In addition, you can also follow me on Instagram to see more updated content.

Please feel free to get in touch with me if you need more information.

Maybe I´m your wedding photographer or maybe I´m not, but is a good starting point

Good luck in your new adventure!

La entrada How to choose your wedding Photographer se publicó primero en The Lighthouse Wedding Photography.

Ceremony: Sanborn County Park, Santa Clara County, California

Venue: Family house in Saratoga

Date: Summer 2017

Redwoods Wedding in California

Another beautiful redwoods wedding!

The first meeting I had with Sadie and Kyle in person – after our initial email contact – was a strange and great one! Taking place in my RV in Salt Lake City, late at night after covering my first Utah wedding, which was much longer than expected!

It was an amazingly snowy and freezing night in May…There in the parking lot, we finished polishing the details of the wedding, taking place a few weeks later. It would be a small and family orientated day in the stunning redwoods of Sanborn County Park. 

Getting ready

The morning of the wedding I went very early to the house the girls had rented near to the groom´s parents. Early morning and everyone was starting to get ready, with the mum and bridesmaids all helping Sadie. Immaculate hair, make-up and garlands, it was a nice moment to capture everyone together in anticipation of the day ahead! Then it was a short trip round to visit the groomsmen, also full of excitement and ready in their suits.

The Ceremony

The chosen place for the religious ceremony was Sanborn County Park, a beautiful park in Santa Cruz Mountains owned by Santa Clara County. A short ride to San Francisco, in the south bay area, and close to the groom´s family house in Saratoga.

It´s a great outdoor spot, with a beautiful “altar” inside a circle of redwoods. The whole place smelling of lovely woods – and with nature all around. The groom´s father officiated this intimate ceremony. When it ended we went for a short walk in the bush where we took some really candid pictures.

Walking between giants

One of the best things about outdoor weddings is that you normally don´t need to look far to make beautiful photos.

The Party

The party was also outdoors in Kyle family house in Saratoga – It was a really relaxed and intimate atmosphere. Emotional toasts and funny dancing gave the final flourish to this great wedding. My favorite images were the guests dancing under stars and festoon lighting, and the newlyweds “escaping” in a brilliant red jeep under the moonlight.

The end

I feel so honored for having been chosen as the wedding photographer by this amazing couple. Best wishes in your new adventure in Colorado Kyle and Sadie!

“We could not have been happier with our photographer. He spent the whole day with us and was always there-never missing a moment. His style is very cool and original and his charming personality was a great addition. Thank you for capturing our day better than we could imagine!”

Feel free to comment and don´t forget to visit my galleries!

La entrada Sadie & Kyle se publicó primero en The Lighthouse Wedding Photography.

Location: Santa Cruz, California

Venue:  Fern River Resort

Date: Summer 2017

Stunning Santa Cruz wedding

The first time I spoke face to face (actually Skype) with Chris and Suzy, and they told me about the wedding they were planning, I knew I was going to be their photographer. I was probably as excited as they were with the idea of a great outdoor wedding. Surrounded by huge redwoods, a great style of wedding, details like an incredible bouquet, and with an adorable couple…What else could a wedding photographer wish for?

Finally the expectations were taken over by reality. I hope you like the result as much as I do.

The Location.

The wedding took place in Fern River Resort, located in a redwoods forest on the outskirts of Felton, California;  just off the road to Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz Mountains. The massive redwoods and the calm river makes it the perfect place for an outdoor wedding. The light which dares to cross the dense forest with the sound of water is a gift for the senses.

Getting Ready

Both the groom and the bride got ready in their little independent cabins.

First Look.

I love the “first look”. It´s a time where the tension breaks, and you can capture a moment of silence and tranquility…

I really wanted to capture the essence of the stunning forest which surrounded us. I took the opportunity to use it as a perfect background for details and some portraits. There is no better place than California for celebrating weddings between huge sequoias.

To be continue…

If you like what you´ve seen you will love the second part of this great California wedding. Please feel free to comment and get in touch with me with any queries or comments.

 Coming soon Sadie and Chris (part 2).

La entrada Suzy & Chris (part 1) se publicó primero en The Lighthouse Wedding Photography.