I Do! Saying Yes to Your Wedding Photographer

One of the things that overwhelmed me the most when choosing vendors for our upcoming wedding (besides the guest list…I don’t care what anyone says, that is the most stressful part of planning a wedding, hand’s down!) was selecting our wedding photographer. I love looking back at photos of special times and being able to relive those once-in-a-lifetime moments, so of course the pressure was real when trying to find someone to document our wedding. We had a few prerequisites:

We wanted a photographer who specialized in a photojournalism style
We needed to be mindful of our budget (not just mindful actually, we needed to stick to it!)
We wanted someone who was familiar with our wedding venue and neighboring locations on the island (we are getting married on Oahu)
We preferred a photographer with a more creative and artistic flare

‘Creative and artistic’ is just what we found with our Hawaii Wedding Photographer Roy Nuesca. From the very beginning, he recommended the perfect locations. We requested a variety of scenery and that’s exactly what he gave us. He wasn’t afraid to have us climbing on cliffs (I realized how uncoordinated I am), and venturing into the middle of the ocean to get the perfect shot. I appreciated his genuine effort, suggestions, and how relaxed the experience felt from start to finish. Upon meeting us, he asked if there was anything we weren’t comfortable doing (he meant like kissing), and Kuinise replied ‘nudes‘– that totally broke the ice and we felt like long-time friends by the end of the day.

If there is one thing I would suggest for all of my brides-to-be, it would be to invest in your wedding photographer and choose someone you like early on. It may seem like an after-thought in the midst of the hundreds of other decisions you have to make, however if you are considering the route of a professional photographer there are benefits to doing your research and locking your choice down in the early stages. While in pursuit of a wedding or engagement photographer, here are some questions I recommend asking potential hires that will help you make your decision:

Have you ever shot at our venue?
Do I have a say in the types of poses you shoot? (Sometimes it’s helpful for you to pose yourself. I’ve had experiences with photographers who direct the entire shoot, and it can be awkward if they don’t know you/your significant other)
How many images will I receive? And how will they be supplied?
How many photographers are included in this price?
How long will it take to receive my photos once the event is over?
the event that you cannot make it, who will cover the wedding photography?
How would you describe your photography style?
Do you have a portfolio? (If someone responded ‘no’ to this question, I would seriously run for the nearest exit and continue looking).
Do I have the rights to these images? (Believe it or not, sometimes people limit where you can post images– even when you are in them! This is important)
Will you edit the photos? (I thought this was an obvious yes, but in my research, I discovered that not always will they provide you with the edited versions of the photos)

It can be a challenge to find the perfect photographer at the right price. But just like everything else that comes with planning a wedding, it is so rewarding finding someone that matches your vibe as a couple, and is able to make your vision come to life.