Anthony Mickeal is a professional NYC and New Jersey wedding photographer, with a passion for fine art and travel, his stories are told through powerful, captivating imagery.

Tips on how to choose the right wedding photographer - Advice from an insider 

Beautiful photos can capture the mood and ambiance of important, life events, while preserving the heartfelt emotions that accompany such occasions. When choosing the best photographer to retell your story, you want to make sure you’ve found the right person. When it comes to weddings, it’s definitely worth ‘dating around’ a bit before you find the right match. Ask questions, and make sure that you have every, last detail agreed upon, before settling down. In this case, it’s definitely the appropriate time to pop questions and make sure you get it right because you only do it once. The right photographer will already be caught up in all of the details of creatively styling your big day, so don’t be afraid to engage in a Q & A session or two to see if you’ve found the right person for the job.

So what kinds of questions should you ask, if you’re new to the wedding photography scene?

 Basically, there are four things that you want to focus on, that should, ultimately, influence your decision. Style and price enter our minds first, when we start having a look around; however, personality is as important as finding a compatible soul mate, and so is professionalism. Keep in mind, you will be spending a long, emotion-filled day with your photographer, in a high stress environment, where cooperation and collaboration are key components to making it work.

 We’ll explore each of these, essential points in greater detail so you can be prepared to ask the appropriate questions, and make an informed decision about finding your best fit.

1.  Photographic Style

Of course, when we browse through a magazine or scroll through photos on a photographer’s website, we know when we like what we see. Photography, like art, is subjective, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, there are stylistic guidelines involved, from Fashion Forward looks to Cali-Happy, Sun-Drenched, Destination photos, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a stylistic theme.

 When you go beyond your general taste, you’ll find there are some more detailed technical aspects involved.

Photojournalistic Photography – Think candid moments and genuine emotions, captured on camera. This is sort of a fly-on-the-wall, ‘You won’t even know I’m here,’ approach to photography that favors more subdued hues, with the use of black and white photos, and an emphasis on facial expressions, as opposed to focusing in on fashion and décor.

Natural Light Photography – From sunrise to sunset, this style of photography requires no flash, and when used in the right way, can produce the most incredible results. This style of photography is great for outdoor, destination weddings, or for all day events, spent out on location, to create beautiful looks to preserve your perfect day. Environmental factors are of great importance for this style, however, as your photographer will be relying on sunlight to light your photos, any low-light conditions indoors, can put a damper on things. Planned by a professional, you will create a beautiful photobook about your natural, outdoor love story.

Classic Styled Photography – If you are focusing on vibrant, old school pastel toned color, some photographers will shoot in film to reproduce the classic look. While it has been brought back boldly by some world class photographers it is not for everyone. The difference is that no photos are deleted and retaken, and film does not allow for the photographer (or the couple) to review what is kept and what is left behind. However, the end result of a wedding, captured on film, is a very bold, beautiful style of photography that is still available today.

Contemporary, Editorial Photography – My personal work style, this is a highly adaptable and versatile blend drawing from the best of each style, while maintaining a clean, crisp, editorial look. The style borrows from photojournalism and natural light photography, also utilizing advanced natural looking flash techniques – Think, soft, flattering light. The inspiration behind the photos you will receive are derived from modern, fashion/wedding magazine poses and we tie the knot with timeless, romantic photography. If you want a pro for this style of photography, look no further.

2.   Personality

Definitely, this should be a big part of the photos when you first see them; The mood, the energy, the personalities of the bride, groom and guests, and the personality of your photographer is equally important, as well. When planning for your wedding day, you need to be able to find a good fit for a photographer, someone that you like, who fills you with positive feelings, contributing to the cheerful atmosphere of the Church or Venue. Interpersonal warmth and a friendly attitude with everyone will contribute to many laughs and smiles throughout the day, and maybe even some humorous moments, to be captured in photos.

3.   Price

So, how much should all of this cost? Do you feel like when you walk down the aisle, into bridal territory, numbers get thrown at you in a haphazard fashion, like confetti? It doesn’t have to be that way, and we will educate you so you can go in with some confidence and know-how.

As a general rule, you should expect to allot about 10% of your wedding budget to photography. High end packages include the works, with added, extra special details, designed to preserve and cherish your memories in physical print. If you are on a restricted budget but want a great photographer, a no album option may be a smarter choice. Most importantly, though, you should browse through past creations, to see how you can work with your photographer, to tell your, endearing story.

4.     Professionalism

 Last but not least professionalism is key for ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch. Ask about the equipment (e.g. DSLR, Lenses, etc), and ask how the photographer will deal with lighting conditions (e.g. low-light, daylight, timing, etc). You want to find someone who knows how to dance in the rain!

For absolute peace of mind also ask how backups of the wedding photos are made and how long they are saved. Typically I use a triple backup method and keep photos on hand for 2 years at minimum.

Still indecisive? You can never go wrong with a no strings attached couples mini shoot. I like my clients to see my work firsthand and be able to book with absolute confidence. Please browse my portfolio and contact me, I'd love to chat with you and learn about your story as a couple.