COLORADO SPRINGS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Colorado Springs is one of the most beautiful places in the Colorado to get married. The natural beauty of the location alone makes for breathtaking images.

For most people, hiring a wedding photographer is one of their first steps in wedding planning. 
Finding the right photographer, however, may seem daunting. You want to make sure that you find a wedding photographer that can capture one of the most important moments of your life, the carefully planned details, and the enjoyment of your friends and family in a beautiful setting.

We’ve highlighted eight tips for hiring the best wedding photographer for your wedding in Colorado Springs.

When to Book Your Photographer
First things first, when do you book your photographer? In general this depends on several variables like wedding venue, time of year, and the popularity of your desired photographer. 

Colorado Springs is a hot destination year-round and it’s peak season is during summer between June and September. Regardless, if your wedding is during peak season we recommend that you book your photographer 12 months in advance. Definitely try and book early to make sure you get your top pick.

If you are past that date don’t be discouraged, and don’t rush to make a decision. It is important for you to find the right photographer for you and your partner.

Choose Your Venue & Date
Before reaching out to photographers, it is best to have your wedding venue and wedding date selected. This is an important first step for many reasons. The main one being that to book your photographer, you will need to have a date in mind for them to check their availability. 

In Colorado Springs, the seasons have a tremendous impact on choosing your wedding photographer. Do you want to have a wondrous winter wonderland wedding? If so, that will be one the main priorities in picking your photographer. Why? Because there are photographers that specialize in winter photography and you want to zero in on them.

You also may want to choose a photographer that has shot at your venue before and knows the ins and outs of the space. By picking your venue first, you guarantee just that!

Understand Your Style
You don’t need to have a perfectly curated mood board of your dream wedding photographs, 
but you should have an idea of the style of photography you are seeking. 

Ask yourself some simple questions to get started. Like, do you want formal and traditional wedding photos, action shots that are more candid, or a combination of both? Do you want crisp, strong imagery or a soft and natural tones? 

Your venue and the time of your wedding will also have a major influence on the type of photos that will work best for your big day. Google keywords that fit your venue and location, and zero in on the mood you want to evoke and see what you are drawn to. 

These are all things to consider while you are looking for ideas and inspiration. And to eventually narrow down your style.

Research & Reach Out
Do your homework. Carefully review the websites of potential photographers, in addition to their blogs and social media. This will give you an idea of their style and help you understand if they are a good fit for your wedding. 

Thankfully, social media can help you get real and candid customer feedback. What are you finding online about their reviews and customer feedback?

Try and reach out to at least three photographers by sending them emails or completing their contact form to ask their availability for your wedding date, pricing and samples of their work. Include a brief overview of what you are looking for so that they can send you the proper examples. If any of your picks are booked, ask for recommendations. They tend to know who is best in their area and what other photographers embody their style.

Review Their Work 
Reviewing a wedding photographer’s portfolio is the probably the most exciting part about picking someone to document your day. You get to literally picture yourself in the photos and explore who will be the best fit. 

Ask to see full wedding gallery and not just the select images in their online portfolio. When you review their entire gallery and continue to see great work consistently, you've likely stumbled upon a great find. 

Another thing to look for are pictures that were taken at similar settings to yours. If you are having a picturesque outdoor wedding, you want to make sure that they can meet your needs. 

Compare Packages
Definitely create your budget before reaching out to wedding photographers. It will make it easier to narrow down who is the best fit for you and your wedding budget.

The average price for a wedding package in Colorado Springs ranges from $2,500 to $15,000+. This range includes a day or a full weekend. A wedding day-only photography session is typically 6-12 hours to cover the pre-ceremony to the reception. 

We recommend booking your photographer 8-10 hours. If you are having a larger wedding, 170 guests or more, it is a good idea to get a second photographer to make sure the entire event is covered.  

Make sure to read the package in detail. If their package does not include a list of everything included, definitely ask for it. Each photographer is different. If anything isn’t clear, ask for clarity.

Connect With Your Photographer 
It is ideal to chat with your photographer in-person, by phone, or virtually before booking. We highly recommend that your partner joins so you are all aligned. Just like blind-dating, you take it to the next level by connecting and seeing how the conversation goes. It’s a two-way street, you want to find a photographer that wants to work with you just as much as you want to work with them. 
 
This may not seem like a given but it’s important to highlight - you need to make sure that you and your partner mesh well with your photographer. You don’t have to be best friends, but you do want to get along and know that you trust them. You are counting on them to capture special and sacred moments.

Create a Plan Together
Preparation is the key to success - we’ve heard this all our lives and your wedding is no exception. It is critical for your wedding to run smoothly and to make sure you're happy with the photographic outcome. 

About a 60-90 days before your wedding date, your photographer will likely reach out to dial in on your photography timeline. Your photographer is a wedding expert and will be helpful in letting you know how much time they will need to capture some of your favorite moments. Like getting ready with your bridesmaids and the time needed to get to the next spot or capturing the magical Colorado Springs sunset walking hand-in-hand as newlyweds.

Be sure to provide any familial issues that they may need to be aware of. If Uncle Charles doesn’t get along with Aunt Gene, let your photographer know. They are experts in navigating these unique family dynamics.

Colorado Springs is one of the most scenic and romantic places to get married. Finding the right wedding photographer can take some time but it is worth all the effort. We hope these tips will help you find your partner to capture some of the most magical moments of your life.