If you are an artistic couple there are a few factors that will get you the kind of artistic wedding photography you see circling the internet:
PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERY
The first is finding a photographer that has mastered not only photography but editing as well. Without the proper skill set, there is no way you’ll be seeing amazing shots at the end of your special day. The photographer must be able to visualize how they will edit the photo before they can actually take it!
Finding such a photographer can be quite difficult because as I’ve mentioned before, years of experience doesn’t matter. But that doesn’t mean you can believe everything you see. Make sure to read reviews, look at past work, and personally get to know the wedding photographer before hiring them.
If you’re looking for an artistic photographer that isn’t just following what’s trendy, who is creative, and who caters to a higher artistic standard, then you’re going to be paying more than the average couple. That’s exactly why you need to have to make sure you have a good, old-fashioned relationship with them.
RELAX ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
While mastery will give a photographer the edge to find and create the best images, having more time is better than less time. This doesn’t mean they should need an hour to figure out how to get an artistic shot. In fact, some photographers even bring assistants to test out shots before asking the couple to step in. Either way, the most important thing is to have a relaxed wedding day.
Most couples want the day packed with as many photo ops as they can possibly cram in; driving from location to location around the Greater Toronto Area just to fill in the time. When you take your time, relax, and go with the flow, amazing images can come of it; the photographer isn’t pressured into snapping every little thing they see and can focus on creating those artistic wedding photographs.
If you find a photographer that won’t take you unless you’re willing to make the “sacrifice” of quality over quantity then you’ve found a good one!
YOU ARE UNIQUE AS A COUPLE
This last factor is something of my own belief. I think that a photographer should be able to create artistic wedding photography that speaks to the uniqueness of a couple in terms of their relationship and personalities.
It’s relatively easy to give couples the same artistic shots over and over again.
I could grab a light, shine it from behind my couple as they face and hold each other tightly. Would it be a great, artistic image?
Yes!
Does it necessarily appeal to every couple who is looking for artistic wedding photography?
Probably not!
A good photographer should ask questions, listen, and then act in your best interest. If they just want to book you as soon as possible, without having a discussion about who you are and if you are equally a good fit for one another, then I believe they are doing you a disservice and you should consider finding another photographer!
ASIDE: BLACK WEDDING DRESS
Personally, I’d love to find a couple that wants to buck the trend. Like a bride who wants to wear a black wedding dress! As much as I love that airy, feel-good theme that has become so popular, I for one would like to try a darker, more intimate style for a wedding day. Perhaps it would be better suited for an Autumn wedding…I’m not sure. Of course, I have to find the right couple first!
If that’s you then please give us a shout!
Finding the right wedding photographer might lead you on quite a long search, but I know it’ll be worth it. Don’t give up on finding the right one for you, just like you didn’t give up finding that person you’ll soon be marrying!
P.S. We’re located in Milton (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario and know how to get from place to place. If you think we might be the right artistic wedding photographer for you then feel free to grab a coffee with us to find out!
Jonathan How is the photographer behind Made by Ten and calls Milton his home. He specializes in creating beautiful, creative portraits of real women. He uses photography (and this blog) to help them build confidence and love for themselves and creates artistic images for their homes and offices. You can see him driving around the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Ontario, Canada from portrait to fashion shoot and back again.