Photography

How To Pick A Photographer

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but your wedding photos will be priceless.

When you look back years from now on the day you said, “I do,” nothing will breathe life back into your experience like an album of timeless photography.
Making your big day last forever is a monumental responsibility, so make time to research your options and go with a photographer you can trust to keep your memories alive.
North Carolina’s High Country and surrounding communities are home to an impressive variety of professional and fine art photographers, who are talented, educated, experienced, prepared, and ready to give you their best work. They understand how important your wedding day is to you, and they’re up for the challenge.
Not only are these artists well versed in their craft, they offer you a level of expertise that off-the-mountain photographers just can’t match. They know the ins and outs of the community, have worked with the network of other local industry vendors for years, and have captured weddings at most, if not all, of the area’s breathtaking venues.

Putting together a destination wedding can be a lot of work, but it’s made easy when you hire professionals who know their way around. Even if miles of highway separate you from them during the planning process, these photographers are only a call or a click away. They know the best outdoor locations for the images you want to achieve, the best time of day to capture the light in these beautiful spots, and how to show off the glory and the colors of the Blue Ridge in your portraits.
The unique environment, economy, and weather patterns of the High South can quickly throw a wrench into wedding day and photography plans, but local experts have the experience and the insight it takes to get the perfect shot, no matter what.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but your wedding photos will be priceless. Why turn to other photographers when the best of the best are right here on the mountain?
Making the decision to hire a local photographer is just part of the process. The next step is to choose one of the many talented folks. Here’s our advice for finding the right one and things to consider in doing so:

GO PRO
Asking a friend with a nice camera to shoot your wedding may sound like a way to save a few bucks, but capturing the most important day of your life is a responsibility you don’t want to dole out to just anyone. There are plenty of ways to make your budget work for you without sacrificing high quality photography, and it’s totally worth it to spend a little more on what you’ll get from these local experts.

DO YOUR RESEARCH
When it comes to making decisions about your wedding, sometimes advice from other brides is the most helpful way to figure out what’s what. Go online to read about the photographers in the area and check them out on social media. Look for feedback from other clients and ratings in online reviews.

STYLE CHOICE
Every photographer has their own style and, while many will offer a combination or agree to the one you ask them to achieve, their best work happens when they’re letting their creativities flow and shooting in the style that best suits their own personalities.
There are many styles to choose from, so figure out what you like and get to know photographers who specialize in that look.
Go for the fine art look if you’re looking for truly dreamy, dramatic, jaw-dropping artistry.
If posed shots of your family and friends are more important to you, look for photographers who tend to lean toward portraiture.
Opt for a pro with photojournalistic style if you’re looking for a variety of candid shots that tell the story of your wedding one detail at a time.
If your heart is set on an album that touches on a mixture of styles, find a photographer that’s versatile and can give you what you want.

TAKE A LOOK
During your initial consultation with the photographers on your mind, ask to look through their portfolio, or a collection of other weddings they’ve done in the past. Browse through galleries that show the whole day from start to finish and think about what you’re seeing — does this style of photography catch your eye? Are they doing a good job of capturing all of the details? Is there a good balance of product shots, posed portraits, and candid shots?

THE WHOLE PACKAGE
High Country photographers offer you an array of services and packages that can meet your needs with items like engagement sessions, bridal portraits, ceremony and reception photography, a CD of finished images, wedding albums, fine art printing, online viewing, and so much more.
Packages often begin somewhere within the $2,500-$4,500 range, although some photographers will allow you to personalize the package you choose to include the products that are right for your experience.

SHARING YOUR IMAGES
Before you hire someone, find out if the package you’re buying includes rights to the images or if you’ll need to pay extra to purchase them. This is an important question to ask if you’re planning to share your photos on social media, post them on the web, or print them on your own. Many contracts dictate that photographers have the right to publish your images or use them for promotional purposes, so make sure you discuss those details if you think that could be an issue for you.

WHAT TO EXPECT
It will take your photographer a lot more time to edit and prepare your images than it will for them to shoot your wedding, so be realistic and try to understand that it may take them awhile to get your proofs back to you. Talk to them about how many shots you’ll get from them, whether or not they’ll be retouched, and how long it will take for you to get them back.

MAKE A LIST
Give your photographer a list of shots you have to have and the people or details you want to include in your photos. Make sure the contract you sign with them gives them plenty of time to accomplish all of the shots on your list.

WORK TOGETHER
When you find the right photographer for you, meet with them in person and get to know them before the big day. Chances are, they’ll be by your side every step of the way, from the preparation to the exchange of vows and even the after party, so make sure you’re personalities work well together.
Consider hiring the same photographer to do your engagement session, your bridal portraits, and your wedding day. The more they get to know you, the better they can capture your best moments the way you want to remember them.