Looking For A Wedding Photographer?

Finding The "Right" Photographer For Your Wedding

Many people often wonder: how do I find a photojournalistic wedding photographer who is professional, friendly, and talented at capturing moments. Sometimes more importantly, how do I find such a wedding photographer who has rates that are reasonable? The great news is that Fernando Matias Photography is a company operated by a professional photographer who specializes in wedding photography within the Ottawa area, and is ready to help you address these questions.

Speaking from experience, most people ultimately find a wedding photographer from a direct referral. In other words, people talk to others who have recently hired a wedding photographer and are provided with information that they then use to figure out who to hire for their needs. This is a great way to go, and in fact most of our business is obtained through direct referrals from previous clients. However, the Internet has now also changed this. You now have the power to find a professional photographer who specializes in Ottawa wedding photography by a simple web search. If you have not been directly referred to us by a previous happy customer already, we at Fernando Matias Photography would be happy to provide you with past testimonials from clients who can vouch for our passion and quality.

Experience Matters

There are several things you will want to keep in mind prior to making a decision. First, you will want to make sure that the photographer you are considering has been proven in the past. Your photographer should have a portfolio that you can browse, both in person and online. In addition, it's also important to find someone who specializes in wedding photography in your area. Capturing moments in the city that look just right is a skill that is acquired over time, and knowing which locations work and which do not will save you valuable time on an already overwhelmingly busy day. You want the very best wedding photographer for that special day in your life. Sure, the bottom line is important and wedding budgets are made for a reason. However, budget accordingly and remember that your wedding day photographs are memories that you want to last a lifetime. You won’t have another opportunity for these photos to be taken and cutting back on your photography funds can end up hurting you in the end.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line should be "Is this the right photographer for us?" and although the cost is important, it should not be your only point of reference when comparing photographers. A quick search will show that there is a huge range in wedding photography rates, from dirt cheap all the way to the insanely expensive. In most cases the photographer's rate is directly related to how much experience they have, and therefore a photographer that gives you a questionably low quote is usually very inexperienced and/or they will not give your wedding the attention it deserves. At Fernando Matias Photography we have limits on how many events we will accept in any given month so that we can be sure to provide 100% of our attention to your event.

Style

It is also important to speak with the photographer to make sure that your vision of the special day matches what the photographer is able to provide. Each photographer has their own style, and essentially this style is what you are hiring them for. If a photographer shoots entirely in black and white, and you want a mix of colour and monotone shots in your images then maybe they are not the right photographer for you. Find a photographer whose style matches your needs and then you’ll be assured that you get the photos you want. At Fernando Matias Photography our style is more photojournalistic with a strong emphasis on all the little details, and also plenty of candids. We know that posed photos are also an important part of your day for group photos and more formal shots of the newlyweds, and we'll not only do our best to show you how to pose so that you look your best but we also make formal photos fun!

Two Photographers Are Better Than One

There are many benefits to hiring two photographers for your wedding day. A single photographer can only be in one place at any given time and if you want photos of both the bride and groom getting ready it is very rare that they will both be in the same place at the same time. With two photographers one can dedicate their time to be with the bride as she is getting ready, while the other can focus on the groom. A single photographer will likely need to drive back and forth and miss once in a lifetime moments in your special day. If a photographer does offer you a second shooter, make sure that this person is also another professional photographer and not just an assistant or student. It is for these reasons and more that at Fernando Matias Photography our full day wedding packages provide two professional photographers to cover all of your wedding moments, the second being from Jeffrey Meyer Photography.

Communication

Communication between you and the photographer is very important for a successful day. You should always be able to contact your photographer and have your questions addressed quickly. The great news about working with a professional photographer from Fernando Matias Photography is that you will have your questions answered in a timely manner. This is important because once you make a decision as to which photographer to use, you don't want to find yourself constantly waiting to get answers to your important questions.

Contracts

The photographer you choose should provide you with a signed contract. This contract not only protects the photographer, but will also give you, the client, the security you need to make sure you obtain everything you were promised and in a timely fashion. The contract should stipulate exactly what you are required to pay in total, as well as exactly what you will receive for this fee. It is for these reasons, and many more, that at Fernando Matias Photography we always provide a full contract for every job we do.

Is Fernando Matias Photography the right photographer for you? Only you can decide, but we will do everything we can to earn your business. Do you have any comments or questions regarding what to look for in a wedding photographer? Feel free to ask us using the comments section below or by emailing us directly using our contact page and we will give you a frank and open answer.