My Best Tips For How To Pick a Napa Wedding Photographer
While deciding on your wedding venue is probably most engaged couples' top priority, and picking a Napa wedding photographer is coming in strong at number two. The photos are what you look at for the rest of your life and are proudly on display in your home so how they turn out is a very big deal. The big question is how do you go about picking the right Napa wedding photographer?
If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lindsey Nickel and I’m a local Sonoma and Napa wedding planner and the owner of Lovely Day Events. Since 2010, I have helped stylish, fun-loving couples (and their dogs) plan destination weddings. Our clients want the ceremony to be outside, the food to be outstanding, and the dance parties to be epic. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place, so you might want to learn more about our wedding planning services.
Cheers Babe Photography
Tips for picking a Sonoma or Napa Wedding Photographer
Since this is the person who will be capturing your first kiss, first dance, and basically be your shadow on your wedding day, it is crucial that you find a wedding photographer who gets your vision and that you feel comfortable with since you are putting a lot of trust into them. Here are some tips that will help make this decision a bit easier.
Style of Wedding Photographer
When picking your Sonoma or Napa wedding photographer you need someone who has a style and vibe that matches your wedding ideas. The biggest difference between photographers is their style; light and airy, dark and moody, bold and saturated, and even retro are just a few of the options out there.
One of the best ways to start the process of finding your perfect wedding photographer is to start looking on Instagram for wedding photographers in Napa and Sonoma and check out their grids. Ask yourself these questions:
Who’s style meshes with what you want for your wedding photos?
When you look at their photos what feelings do they conjure up for you?
Who has photos at your wedding venue?
Arrowood Photography
Your Napa Wedding Photography Budget
You and your fiance should come up with a price that best suits your overall wedding budget. It is important to have a range that doesn’t cause you stress but if your budget is $7,000 and your dream photographer comes back at $7,400 then it should be a discussion you have with your partner to see if there is wiggle room. Remember that these photos will last a lifetime.
Most wedding photographers have packages that they offer, but some may charge an hourly rate and then upsell for any albums or other photos you want. Make sure you understand what is included before you sign anything. The budget range for a Napa wedding photographer is $7,500 - $15,000 depending on many factors like the number of hours and how many photographers / assistants are needed.
Wedding Photographer Reviews
Once you have your list of possible wedding photographer candidates then it is time to check those reviews. Make sure you look in a few places like The Knot, Wedding Wire, Google, etc. Don’t be scared by a one-off bad review because if they have a hundred 5-star reviews and one 2-star review, it may be an issue beyond their control. Read the reviews thoroughly and adjust your candidate list accordingly.
PRO TIP: Ask your final choice photographer for a referral from a recent client that you can call. It’s always helpful to hear from someone who has already been in your position.
Ask Your Wedding Planner for a Referral
Ask your wedding planner for recommendations for a Sonoma or Napa wedding photographer since they know your style and budget. Your wedding planner has connections and insights that can help you find the perfect photographer. Getting a referral from your wedding planner can provide reassurance about the photographer's quality and professionalism before you even reach out to them. Your wedding planner might also have inside information about photographers to avoid.
Manali Anne Photography
Review Galleries and Portfolios of Sonoma or Napa Wedding Photographers
Next up you will visit their websites and really go through their galleries. This may take a lot of time so feel free to do this over a few days. This is going to give you the best idea of their style and what they like to include in their photos. Remember that this is a collection of what they consider to be their best work so if you are not impressed then take a pass on them.
PRO TIP: Ask your top choice photographer for a recent gallery from a real wedding, not just the link on their website but a link to the client gallery so you can get an idea of what all of your wedding photos will look like.
Reach Out to your Favorite Wedding Photographers for a Consultation
Once you have a short list of your favorite wedding photographers, it is time to start reaching out via their contact forms on their websites (this is better than reaching out via Instagram so that they are sure to see your inquiry). Be sure to also take some time to look over their “Packages” or “Services” pages since they might have packages and prices listed.
Do You Connect with Them?
This is an often under-appreciated aspect of this process but has the most bearing on the wedding day itself. Besides your wedding planner, this is someone who will be looking out for you on your big day, making sure your hair and makeup are on point, and guiding you through the photo process, so this is a true collaboration. They should feel like a friend not just a vendor!
Suzanne Karp Photography
What Should You Talk About With A Prospective Wedding Photographer?
It is a good idea to share as much about your ideas, theme and wants for your wedding as possible during your consultation. Don’t be afraid of sharing examples of photos that you adore from other weddings (including social media) and especially photos from their galleries because this gives them and you the best opportunity to see if your styles mesh.
Questions You To Ask A Wedding Photographer:
What happens if you are sick or cannot physically attend the wedding?
Will you be photographing my wedding or do you have associates?
What is your turnaround time for the sneak peeks, full gallery, prints, and album?
How do they prefer to communicate?
Do you have rights to the photos?
How long will you have your photographer on your wedding day?
Have you worked at my wedding venue before?
Will you give me the digital negatives or unlimited downloads so I can make my own prints?
Arrowood Photography
When Should You Book Your Napa Wedding Photographer?
The answer to this question comes with a few caveats but this is definitely one of the first vendors you will hire. A wedding planner is usually number one or number two after the venue so don’t be shy and get recommendations from them for your wedding photographer. They know who is professional and fun to have around on your wedding day.
If they are in high demand (ie: they can be seen often in Martha Stewart Weddings or Brides) they could easily be booked up a year or two in advance. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t contact them if you have less time than that, because there could always be cancellations, but have a few others you are contacting so that all your eggs won’t be in one basket leading to disappointment.
The industry standard for booking a wedding photographer is between 9-15 months so keep that in mind when you are planning out your wedding to-do’s. Your wedding planner will also keep you on top of choosing your vendors in a timely manner which can be a lifesaver when trying to balance wedding planning, a job, and the rest of your daily life.
Sabine Scherer Photography
Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Sonoma or Napa Wedding Photographer
This may feel overwhelming but there is so much fun in researching wedding photographers and looking at gorgeous photos for a few hours. This is also a great way to see styles and themes and get ideas for your own wedding so the “research” goes beyond just looking for a photographer.
Start planning your Sonoma or Napa wedding, inquire now with the form below.
