Guide to Starting Your Wedding Planning Journey: Finding the Perfect Photographer
Congratulations on your engagement! As you embark on the exciting journey of planning your wedding, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the right photographer. Your wedding photos will be cherished memories that last a lifetime, so it’s worth taking the time to find a photographer who aligns with your vision.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: What Do You Like the Look Of?
Every couple has a unique vision for their wedding day, and your choice of photographer should reflect what you love. Take some time to think about the kinds of photos that make you smile.
Do you love seeing candid moments? Look for a photographer who captures natural interactions beautifully.
Do you want timeless posed formals? Ensure your photographer has experience creating classic portraits.
Do bold, creative shots catch your eye? Research photographers who enjoy experimenting with modern techniques. Finding a balance between trending social media photos and timeless, tried-and-true methods ensures that what is captured during this once-in-a-lifetime moment delivers the best of both worlds.
Remember, all weddings should have a balance of candid moments and posed formals to provide a comprehensive, full gallery that tells the story of your day. Spend time browsing wedding blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram to discover what resonates with you.
Step 2: Set Your Budget
Photography can be one of the larger expenses in your wedding budget. Coverage for wedding days and vendors typically ranges from $2,000 to over $10,000, so finding a vendor that matches your needs and budget is key to ensuring your special day is beautifully captured.
VMG Productions offers options to fit a range of budgets while ensuring exceptional quality:
The Chickadee Package: Starting at $1,975, this package provides essential coverage of your wedding day, perfect for couples looking for professional photography with simplicity.
Customizable Options: Add multiple photographers, extended coverage, or engagement sessions to tailor your experience. Booking a separate engagement or couples shoot is also a great way to test compatibility with your photographer. Some photographers, like VMG Productions, even credit the cost of the engagement session toward wedding packages if they’re available for your big day.
If you’re considering video in conjunction with photography, VMG Productions’ packages start at $4,425, combining beautiful still images with cinematic videography to capture your wedding day comprehensively. Explore our wedding combo packages for details that align with your vision.
Step 3: Start Researching Early
Popular photographers book up quickly, especially during peak wedding seasons. Begin your search as soon as you have a wedding date and venue locked in. Some key places to research photographers include:
Step 4: Review Portfolios and Galleries
A photographer’s portfolio is their visual resume. As you review, pay attention to:
Consistency: Does their work consistently align with your desired aesthetic?
Variety: Do they capture a range of emotions, settings, and moments?
Lighting: Can they handle different lighting conditions (indoor, outdoor, day, night)?
Storytelling: Does their work tell a cohesive story of the wedding day?
Take notes during this stage. If you like a photographer but have questions about certain photos, always ask why. Most photographers can elaborate on why a wedding had certain challenges and how they overcame them. Additionally, as you explore galleries, use applications like Milanote to save your favorite photos. Even if the photos are from another photographer, sharing what you love about them—composition, pose, color, or style—with your chosen photographer can help ensure your vision is brought to life. It’s important to feel comfortable with them.
Check out some weddings of ours for inspiration!
Step 5: Ask the Right Questions
Here are some key questions to ask photographers during consultations:
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We describe our photography style as photojournalistic with a cinematic editorial flair. Our goal is to capture genuine moments as they unfold naturally, acting as a fly on the wall while providing subtle guidance when necessary.
For example, during bridal prep, moments like a bride putting on earrings can feel focused and serious. To enhance this moment, we might suggest that after the earrings are in place, she gently holds her hands near her ears, adjusts slightly, and smiles or laughs to add animation and joy to the shot. Similarly, for bridesmaids, we encourage lighthearted laughter or subtle smiles to create a relaxed, lively atmosphere.
When capturing wedding formals, we blend natural poses with gentle movement to keep everyone comfortable and authentic. This ensures each person shines in the final images.
For ceremonies and receptions, we remain unobtrusive, documenting the moments as they naturally unfold, ensuring your story is told beautifully without interference.
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We always carry multiple cameras and an assortment of lenses, lighting, and backup equipment to ensure we’re prepared for any situation on your wedding day. As experienced wedding photographers, we anticipate potential challenges such as changing weather, lighting conditions, or unexpected events. This allows us to adapt quickly and capture your day to its fullest.
Regarding assistants, the need for a second shooter or assistant depends on the specifics of your wedding day. For some weddings, a solo photographer is sufficient, while others benefit from additional team members to ensure every moment is covered seamlessly. During our initial consultation, we’ll assess your needs and determine whether extra help would enhance your experience and ensure the day runs smoothly.
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We strive to deliver sneak peeks of your wedding photos within the first week after your wedding. Your full wedding gallery is typically delivered within 4 to 8 weeks, but no later than 90 days after your wedding day. This timeline ensures that we have enough time to meticulously edit and curate your photos to the highest standard, capturing the essence of your special day beautifully.
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Absolutely! Every wedding is unique, and we’re happy to offer customizable packages to fit your specific needs. Whether it’s adding extra coverage, a second shooter, or including an engagement session, we’ll work with you to create an estimate that perfectly aligns with your wedding day vision.
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With over 10 years of experience, we see challenges like bad weather as opportunities for creative, memorable photos. We bring backup equipment to handle any technical issues and adapt quickly to make the best of every situation, whether it’s romantic rain shots or dramatic skies.
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Yes, we offer engagement sessions in various formats and pricing options to fit your needs. Engagement sessions are typically included in our full wedding photography packages, such as the “Mourning Dove” and “Swan” packages. If you’re looking for a standalone session, they start at $495. Let us know what works best for you!
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We strive to balance candid and posed photography to create a comprehensive and authentic gallery. Candid moments capture the raw emotions and genuine interactions of your day, while posed photos ensure timeless and polished portraits. During formal sessions, we guide you with natural poses and subtle movements to keep everyone comfortable and relaxed. For the rest of the day, we blend into the background, capturing the story of your wedding as it unfolds naturally.
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You will have full print rights to all the photos in your wedding gallery. This means you can print them at any store of your choice and share them freely online. Additionally, we offer a full print service if you’d like us to handle the technical aspects of printing your wedding photos. From photo paper stock and sizing to framing, we can take care of everything for you.
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All of our photography packages include an online gallery where you can view, download, and print your wedding photos. Additionally, some packages come with stunning physical albums to beautifully showcase your favorite memories.
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We have a zero-refund policy for wedding cancellations, and any payments made are retained by VMG. However, we do offer the ability to reschedule your wedding, provided there is enough time to plan ahead. During the 2020 pandemic, we adapted to many changes in wedding plans, working closely with couples to find new dates even when we had other bookings. Our small but flexible team strives to accommodate rescheduling requests to ensure we can still capture your special day.
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Absolutely! If there’s a particular wedding you’d like to see, feel free to reach out. We also share links to full galleries under each of our couples’ wedding pages. You can explore them here.
Communicate with Companies
When you find photographers you’re interested in, start by reaching out to check their availability for your wedding date. Companies like VMG Productions, with over 10 years of experience capturing weddings, are experts in wedding day logistics and can provide valuable insights even if you’re in the early stages of planning. They can quickly help you visualize what a wedding day timeline might look like based on your venue and needs.
Be clear about your wedding details, including the date, venue, and approximate events to occur on wedding day. Planning a meeting, call, or email exchange is an excellent way to ask your questions and ensure they’re a good fit. At VMG Productions, we’re happy to communicate in the way that’s easiest for you—whether that’s a video call, detailed emails, or even quick texts as you discuss your plans. Photographers may also share what information they’ll need from you, such as your vision, preferred style, and budget. Many will guide you through their booking process and explain next steps, including signing a contract and paying a deposit.
Informing a Photographer of Your Decision
If you decide to book with another company, it’s important to communicate this politely. Don’t ghost them—our feelings won’t get hurt if we’re not the right fit for your wedding day. There are many talented photographers in the state of Maine, and we understand that we may not be the perfect match for everyone.
Letting photographers know about your decision allows them to mark you off their list of potential clients, avoiding unnecessary follow-ups. A short, professional message is all it takes. For example:
"Thank you so much for your time and for sharing your portfolio with us. After careful consideration, we’ve decided to go in a different direction for our wedding photography. We truly appreciate your effort and wish you all the best."
By communicating your decision, you maintain professionalism, respect their time, and keep the door open for potential future collaborations.