Tips for Hiring a Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer

Below, I am covering things to consider when hiring a Santa Barbara wedding photographer. Hiring the right photographer to capture what will be some of your best moments of life is a priority of every couple. These photographs will be priceless when you look back at them.

If you are looking for a Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer, the checklist below should get you started!

5 things you should consider when hiring a Santa Barbara wedding photographer

It is not an easy task to find a suitable and expert wedding photographer who comprehends your expectations. There are so many photographers in the Santa Barbara market; therefore, to narrow down your search and help you find the best photographer you need, the following are the 5 things you need to consider when hiring a Santa Barbara wedding photographer.

Search for expert and reputable wedding photographers

Skim social media and google to find the best Santa Barbara wedding photographers. Read their portfolios on the social platforms or check and analyze their work on their official websites. Search for the customers' reviews and read what they say about them because it will give you the idea of what type of expectations you can have from the respective photographer. It is important to find someone's stye who you like, but also someone who has a personality you think would compliment you both. This vendor is someone you both need to feel comfortable with.

Communicate with them and let them know what you expect

Communication is the key to understanding, and a wedding photographer cannot read your mind. You have to clarify your expectations and make sure they have understood them. Listen to them if they have to suggest something. You have to work as a team with your wedding photographer. If you want to recreate some shots that you saw on the internet, let your photographer know your specifications. If there are some poses you are finding uncomfortable, be clear about it. This should all be discussed prior to hiring them to ensure you are the right fit.

It's key to have a clear discussion with your Santa Barbara wedding photographer before finalizing things with him or her.

Get clear on your budget

The average wedding photographer in the Los Angeles market ranges from $3,000 - $7,000. Setting a firm budget in advance will help you narrow down your wedding photographer options.

Put your trust in your Santa Barbara wedding photographer.

You need to trust your wedding photographer. Befriend them after you have hired them. Stay in touch with them because they are going to be like your family member on the day of the wedding. The wedding planner and the wedding photographer will be the two vendors you will spend the most amount of time with on the wedding day. Trust and a comfortable environment are important so that one can have their photoshoot comfortably.

Santa Barbara Wedding Photographer Style

Each wedding photographer will have his or her personal style, but for the most part, there are 5 overall photography styles, which are:

The Light & Airy Fine-Art Wedding Photographer: This photographer will compose shots with a lot of intention and utilizes light to create photos with a dreamy, romantic look.

The Dark & Moody Wedding Photographer: This photographer usually edits in way where the photos have a moodier, more evocative quality.

The Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer: This photographer hardly offers pose guidance throughout the wedding day. He or she will capture everything as it naturally unfolds. This infuses a lot of emotion into the images, but for someone who appreciates guidance, it may not be the best fit.

The Classic Wedding Photographer: This photographer shoots and edits in a way where everything will be on the timeless, more traditional side.

The Hybrid Fine-Art/Photojournalistic Photographer: He or she balances composing shots with intention, while knowing when to step back and capture moments as they naturally unfold. The editing style here is usually softer and more romantic, but the images have a lot of emotion infused in them. This is the style I am most personally drawn to.

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If you'd like to discus wedding photography, please reach out! You can contact me HERE.