Booking your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions throughout the wedding planning process (besides saying yes to the man of your dreams, of course!). I may be biased, but your wedding images will be the only thing that remain once the day has come and gone. Before making such a big decision, though, it’s important that you choose your wedding photographer wisely, and make sure that they are going to be a good fit for you. 

Before you make the investment, there are three things that I think you should ask your photographer, that you may not find on The Knot or Wedding Wire. These questions are rooted in the fact that I own a relationally-based photography business that is build on a foundation of a relationship between me and my couples. Working with me is an experience, not a transaction. I’m not going to simply show up your wedding after you sign the contract, with no interaction in-between! It’s an experience where you’ll be served, loved and prayed for.

That, friends, is the reason why I encourage you to ask your potential wedding photographer the below three questions:

1. What is the heart behind your business (i.e. why do you do what you do)? For me, I could go on and on about this one. I have a big passion for this topic and it’s something that I share about regularly. The foundation of my business, while built on relationship, is service. I strive to love my clients and serve them with the joy and grace of Jesus. Serving is all about loving well, regardless of whether or not someone is my client. Because I believe in the power of loving others well, I encourage my couples to learn how to love each other best in their marriages. For me, it isn’t just about a pretty wedding. It’s about capturing the start of a marriage.
2. Out of all the weddings that you’ve attended, what makes a wedding memorable? I’ve attended a LOT of weddings throughout my past few years as a wedding photographer, and there are definitely specific weddings that stand out in my head. No, they aren’t the most expensive weddings, or the weddings at a beautiful venue. In fact, my favorites really have nothing to do with the material pieces of the wedding day; they have everything to do with showcasing the marriage beautifully. The weddings that I remember most perfectly captured the couple’s personality. One wedding’s ceremony was centered around the theme of “light” and how the couple’s marriage would bring a light into this world. Another wedding ceremony included letters that the couple wrote to each other, and was a beautiful glimpse into their love story. A recent wedding wasn’t even about the marriage between the couple; instead they focused their guest’s attention on the marriage between Christ and the church instead. When I think about these weddings, the fit the personality of the couples perfectly, and THAT is why it was memorable. It wasn’t because of the flowers or the dress; those things can be cookie-cutter across any wedding. Weddings are memorable when you add your own spin to the day.
3. What is your favorite part of the wedding day? This, one, friends is a tough one! I have so many favorite parts to the day, but honesty, I’m going to have to say that it is the first look. The joy that exudes from this moment is almost indescribable. This time usually leads right into bride and groom portraits and you’ll almost always find me smiling from ear to ear and squealing with excitement. This is when I produce my best work, and it’s a chance for my couples to really just take in their wedding day for all that it is.

Well that’s it, friends! When you are looking to hire a photographer, remember that you *usually* get what you pay for. I promise, it will be so worth the investment!