Choosing a photographer for your wedding or elopement is no easy task. Your photographer is the person you’re gonna spend the most time with on and before your wedding. So if you don’t vibe with their personality or realize they don’t have as much experience as they thought they did, the results can be less than ideal. Lucky for you, I’ve put together a blog all about how to choose a Big Sur wedding photographer!
Choose a Big Sur wedding photographer that you vibe with
If there’s one thing you should prioritize when looking for a photographer, it’s their personality. Some Big Sur wedding photographers are more reserved and prefer to be more of a fly on the wall on your big day. But if you know anything about me, you know that I’m the total opposite. Of course I know when to dial it back, but I genuinely have so much fun with my couples on their wedding day. Even before the wedding, we’re texting, having video chats, and for me, that’s one of my favorite parts about being a Big Sur wedding photographer. My couples and I become friends more than anything, and that makes capturing their day even more fun for all of us!
In fact, one of my past clients said this about our experience together: “I’ve had the pleasure of doing two sessions with Sadie, both of which have been nothing short of a great time! At this point she feels like a friend. In the moment we’re all having fun, then she works her magic and the photos come back better than anyone could’ve imagined. I truly could go on and on about Sadie and her work… So professional, talented and friendly!”
Choose a Big Sur wedding photographer that has experience
Photographers who are just starting out typically charge less than photographers who have more experience. I personally feel like experience can be the difference between good wedding photos and GREAT wedding photos. When you’ve been around the block once or twice (or hundreds of times), that’s when you really start to evolve and grow as a photographer, producing some of your best work. Not only that, but you get way more experience with different weather, lighting conditions, and overall situations that are important to know how to navigate as a professional.
Along with general experience as a photographer, location experience is also a huge factor in choosing the perfect one for your Big Sur wedding. If you take one look at my Instagram, you can see that I’m in Big Sur… A LOT. The truth is, I absolutely love Big Sur, and getting to document love in that area is just the cherry on top!
This is also important just in case there are mishaps on your wedding day. Obviously Big Sur is a public state park, so there’s always a chance something might not go according to plan. Whether it’s road closures, park closures, or any other unforeseen occurrence, you want a photographer who knows what the heck they’re doing. Because I have so much experience as a Big Sur wedding photographer, I’m able to come up with just-as-good alternatives no matter what the situation is. (That also might be because I’m a mom, but we’ll chalk it up to experience for now)
But don’t take it from me; here’s what one of my past brides had to say about the subject: “[We had] Such a great experience! Sadie makes the setting light and poses fun, as awkward as it can sometimes feel. She has great direction and made sure we were comfortable every step of the way. She knows the best spots for the most amazing backgrounds. Photos came out gorgeous!!! Look forward to working with her again!” again!
Do you love their editing & photography style?
This one might be obvious, but make sure you love their editing and photography style. There are so many different styles out there, and all photographers take the time and energy to nail their specific one. For example, I’m probably not the Big Sur wedding photographer for you if you like the dark and moody editing style. My style is much brighter and true to color! The beauty of the photography world is that there’s always someone for everyone.
When searching for a Big Sur wedding photographer, search through their portfolio on Instagram & their website. Make sure their editing is consistent (if it’s not, that’s a bit of a red flag!) across their photos before booking with them. They should have tons of photos of Big Sur weddings for you to look at too! For example, I have tons of portfolio blogs showcasing my favorite Big Sur weddings & engagement sessions on my website. If you wanna check them out, here you go!
Jennifer & Austin’s Big Sur Couples Photos
Jennie & Tim’s Big Sur Engagement Session
Shelby & Charles’ Big Sur Elopement
Jasmin & Chris’ Big Sur Wedding Photos
Leslie & Paul’s Big Sur Maternity Photos
Will your Big Sur wedding photographer help with the planning process?
Last but not least, you want your photographer to be able to help you plan your Big Sur wedding. Some photographers aren’t a fan of the planning process, and that’s totally fine! But one of my favorite things is helping my couples plan the Big Sur wedding of their dreams. Whether it’s location planning, timeline planning, giving you vendor recommendations, or just helping you figure out what you wanna eat on your wedding day, I’m here to help. Need some Big Sur wedding venue ideas? Yup, I have an article on my favorites. Are you just starting the planning process and need an A-Z guide on how to elope in Big Sur? You guessed it, I’ve got a blog about it.
How to choose a wedding a Big Sur wedding photographer
Now you know exactly what you should be looking for when searching for the perfect Big Sur wedding photographer. If you’ve reached the end of this article and you’re like “Sadie, I already know I want you there for my Big Sur wedding” then YAY! My bags are already packed. To officially get in touch with me, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
