How to choose a wedding photographer in Charleston

8 tips on choosing your Charleston Photographer

Its time to choose a wedding photographer in Charleston to capture and produce the shots which will become a lifetime of memories for you and your family.   You want to find a Charleston Photographer that is not only professional and artistic, but someone who is affordable as well. 

1. Start Early: Because Charleston is one of the most popular destination spots, you may want to reserve your Charleston Photographer as much as one year in advance.  Wedding photographers in Charleston face the same issues that other wedding vendors face.  There are only so many Saturdays in a year.  
2. Evaluate Three Professionals:  When looking for vendors (not just photographers) you should at least evaluate three professionals for each service need that you have.  Look at three caterers, photographers, videographers and cake makers.  This will give you something to compare.  Once you select the vendors, reserve them as early as possible. 
3. Choose a photographer who does mostly weddings:  Shooting a wedding is much different than studio photography.  Your Charleston photographer should have at least 50 - 60% of their work be from weddings.  The best wedding photographers in Charleston are the ones who are at weddings each week.  Just because someone is a photographer, doesn't mean that they have the photojournalistic eye for quality candids.
4. Look at the portfolio:  Take a look at some of the photographer's other work when choosing a wedding photographer in Charleston.  Equally as important is to make sure that the pictures you see in the portfolio were taken by the photographer that will ultimately shoot your wedding.  Many studios hire "candidmen" to shoot for them. 
5. Check prices and services offered:  Many photographers offer services that you may not want or need or have prices that you simply cannot afford.  Finding a Charleston Photographer with low prices may not be easy because of the huge demand here in the area.  So many weddings happen here that photographers can be a bit more expensive and not loose business.  Shop around though and you can find better deals.
6. Once reserved, plan a photo engagement session with your Charleston Photographer:  Sitting down with your photographer will help you so much in planning out the big day.  He or she will be able to show you their shot list and you can choose some of the photos that you will want taken and ones that may not be as important to you.  Wedding photographers in Charleston are shooting 1-3 weddings each weekend, so you will want to get your session in writing.  A checklist is a nice thing for your photographer to offer to you.
7. Get a contract:  Once you agree on a price and make your decision about your Charleston Photographer, get a contract.  The contract is a binding agreement in writing that assures you will get the professional you want to shoot your wedding day.  If your photographer does not have a contract, do not give them any deposit money and look for another professional.
8. Ask how your photographer will dress:  Many photographers in the area will wear black pants and shirt to be as unobtrusive as possible.  Still others wear a shirt and tie.  Find out how they plan on dressing for your wedding and request a certain dress code if desired.  Remember, unless your entire guest list are wearing tuxedos, then you don't want the photographer to wear one.  You don't want your Charleston photographer looking like a groomsman.

This is a short list of questions to ask and find out.  For more information, visit our Charleston Photographer web site.