Your wedding is one of the biggest days in your life, and of course, you want to ensure that the memories are captured in stunning photos and videos. And it’s not just about taking pictures but creating a visual story of your love, joy and commitment.
Choosing the right wedding photographer is crucial so you can enjoy your big day without worrying about ensuring that everything will be captured.
This free guide will look at the different factors to consider on how to pick the best wedding photographer in Toronto.
Apply what we call the LIKE test.
L – Look at the works of various photographers,
I – if the works are Inspiring you
K – get to Know the artist by visiting their website or Instagram and talk to them
E – Engage with them if they made a good impression on you.
With many different wedding photography styles, it can be overwhelming to determine which is the best for your celebration. This is where the internet can be a fountain of inspiration, with pages such as Pinterest or blogs offering many posts and pins of different styles and types, allowing you to browse and see which one you like the best.
Doing a quick Google search for “wedding photographer near me” will give you a long list. Now while there are many wedding photographers, not all offer the same styles. So it’s essential to research and check for photographers in your area that offer your chosen photography style to narrow down the list. This will allow you to focus your efforts.
Getting first-hand information is an excellent way to determine which photographers to contact. One great source to tap into is friends and family to see if they have used the services of a professional photographer recently. They will be happy to let you know about their experiences and recommendations.
As the saying goes, “A picture says more than a thousand words.” Most photographers have portfolios on their websites to showcase previous projects. This is an excellent opportunity to check which style of photography they offer, the quality of the photos and their experience. It is the best way to find out if their work matches what you envision and if it is worth contacting them.
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While you’re on their website, check if there are any additional services and products they offer, such as albums, canvas wraps, etc.? Do they provide you with digital files as well? This can be an essential factor to consider depending on your vision.
While many questions can be answered by browsing a photographer’s website, we recommend also calling the photographer, not just for any questions you may have that are not fully answered on the website. Speaking to the photographer will also give you a feel for them and their vision, which is critical as you need to feel comfortable with them.
Ask if and how they will help you prepare for the photo shoot, what kind of retouching they offer, what the turnaround time is unless specified on the website, and how much the packages cost.
You can use this interaction to see if they are easy to deal with and forthcoming with clear answers or if they are prompt in getting back to you. This can be almost as important as the services themselves.
Make sure that they have adequate insurance in place. Typically, this means both professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance.
It is also essential to have a clear contract detailing all services the photographer will provide, pricing, and the terms for cancellation or postponement. This will protect both you and the photographer in the case of someone not feeling well or the weather not cooperating.
Traditional is what most people think of when they think of wedding photography. They have likely seen them in albums of their parents or grandparents, and while they are not necessarily exciting, they are classic, timeless, and will not go out of style even years down the road. You will often find posed shots, especially after the ceremony, with all the family and friends gathered around. That being said, even when couples go for a different style overall, they will often have some of these traditional shots.
In many ways, the opposite of traditional photography, the photojournalistic style adopts a different approach. The photographer usually aims to take candid pictures to capture the natural flow and emotions of the couple, the guests and the ambience. This style is so exciting because it doesn’t feel staged but captures an unfolding story throughout the ceremony and the festivities.
While an experienced photographer still will pay close attention to having the proper lighting or background, the spontaneous nature of the photos gives them this fresh feel and often captures little moments that usually would get lost in the shuffle. It also can help couples forget their nervousness because they don’t feel like they are being photographed.
In many ways, the editorial style is like your personal magazine photoshoot. In a complete departure from the natural and candid character of photojournalistic wedding photography, the photographer completely controls the lighting, setting, angle and poses. While it is the most staged of the typical wedding photography styles, it can also give a very high-end and luxurious feel.
At first glance, dark and moody is not what most people would want their wedding photos to be. However, it can create a dramatic effect with the photographer playing with shadows or unusual lighting, creating a unique atmosphere. Some photographers will also use different filters in the editing process.
Lifestyle photography is a bit of a balancing act between spontaneous and posed. Under the photographer’s direction, you will create candid shots within a set scene, giving you some guidance and reassurance if you feel nervous about letting go or are worried that you might not get at least some more traditional pictures.
Many photographers offer both colour and black-and-white versions of their photos. Black-and-white wedding photography is not so much a type but more of an editing choice. It can create an entirely different focus in a picture without any distraction by colour. Sometimes the emotion feels more centred in black and white.
While rarely used for a wedding ceremony itself, landscape photography can be an add-on at a scenic destination, such as mountains, a beach or a forest. This is not something that happens spontaneously. The photographer will scout different locations with the couple ahead of time to find the perfect spot. A landscape image can create an epic highlight with a spectacular (or intimate) backdrop.
Also Read: Benefits of Hiring a Professional Wedding Photographer
First of all, what is a wedding photography contract? It’s a binding agreement between the couple and the photographer that outlines all of the photographer’s responsibilities, deliverables and policies. Usually, this includes pricing, terms for cancellation or postponement and payment timing.
While the prospect of going over a contract with your photographer is probably not the most exciting thing in your wedding planning, it is essential for both sides. It will cover cases of a breach of contract, meaning that the services provided are not what was promised and agreed upon, so this can be crucial to protect yourself. On the other hand, it is also essential for the photographer to have set roles and responsibilities to meet the couple’s expectations. So it works both ways.
View a contract as a safety net for both sides, so it’s clear what is expected, how much it will cost and how things will be handled in case something doesn’t work out as planned. In most cases, everything works exactly as planned, but you want to ensure you’re protected if it doesn’t.
We hope that our blog has helped you with how to pick the best wedding photographer in Toronto. While it may seem like a lot of effort to research, you must remember that a great photographer will do far more than take pictures.
SL Anand’s passion for photography began 29 years ago when he was in 11th grade, taking photos of his friends and teachers, and has just grown from there. SL Anand Photography has been capturing memories since 2010 with offices in India, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, using his experience and expertise to continue to fuel his passion and contribute more to the creative field of photography.
He has covered more than 1500 weddings across different countries, ethnicities and religions and over the past three decades, he has experimented with and developed a unique methodology for creative sessions. Thorough training ensures that every team member receives the necessary training to realize their vision of making photography an experience rather than just posing.
Contact SL Anand today at (647)-394 9249 or fill out our convenient online form to learn how we can help you create magical memories of your special day!
Do some research to find a style of wedding photography you like, and then check out photographers in your area. Look at their portfolios to get a feel for their style and quality of images, and talk to them to get to know them and their way of working.
Our wedding photography packages are entirely customizable, and we will work with you to create the right experience. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (647)-394 9249 or fill out our convenient online form with the details, and we will plan the whole package with you.
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*Second photographer optional
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