So, you’re looking for a Wedding photographer in Seattle, WA.

But, how do you pick the right one?

Most photographers are going to take great images, but how do you tell them apart? Here are some things to keep in mind.

Fit

The photographer is the vendor that you’ll spend the most amount of time with on your wedding day. You want to work with someone that you feel comfortable with — not only will this be more enjoyable for you, but also your pictures will come out MUCH better if you’re at ease behind their lens.

The best way to evaluate fit is to talk with a photographer before you decide to hire them. Ask them about their philosophy, what their favorite part of the wedding day is, and how they serve their clients. Really listen to them, and try and gauge if this is the person that you want to spend your wedding day with.

Style

There are many different types of photography styles that are popular in the Seattle area. The three most popular styles of photography are A) dark and moody, B) true-to-life, and C) light, bright + airy. Make sure you look through your potential photographer’s portfolio or gallery to make sure that you’re confident in their style. You want to ensure that you LOVE the work of the photographer that you choose. In certain circumstances, it might make sense to pay a little extra to get the style that you want.

Engagement session

Look and see if your potential photographer offers an engagement session. This is a couples photoshoot that happens prior to a wedding, and is important for a few reasons. First, it allows you to understand how that photographer works in action and allows you to meet them before you spend your entire wedding day side-by-side. Second, it gives you the opportunity to have professional photos that are NOT in your wedding attire. These are great for save-the-dates, Christmas cards, and just hanging in your house. I’ve never worked with a couples who has regretted an engagement session.

Interested in learning more about engagement sessions? Read the full post here!

Contract

There are more photographers than ever, but pros have contracts in place so that you can feel confident in the services that you’ll receive, and the expectations will all be laid out up front. Who owns the images? How long will it take to deliver your gallery? Are their rules about posting online? Make sure you understand their terms, and feel free to ask them about anything you don’t understand, or that gives you bad vibes.

License & Insurance

Check to see if your photographer (and your other wedding vendors) is licensed in Washington state. This is super quick to do on the WA Department of Revenue website here. This is a simple way to check if they’re a legit business in the state. Just as important, PLEASE ask your photographer about their insurance. This can EASILY show you if the vendor knows their stuff! At a minimum, they should be able to tell you who their insurance provider is, and how much general liability insurance they have. $1M is pretty standard, and some venues will want proof ahead of time to shoot there. Plus, if anything goes wrong, you know you’re covered.

Those are my top tips for choosing a wedding photographer in Seattle. If you have any additional questions, get in touch!! Good luck on finding your photographer!