A Guide to Choosing Your Wedding Photographer in Indianapolis

When it comes to your wedding day, every detail matters – from the dress, to the venue, to the colors, the flowers, the decor, and most importantly, the photographer. Photography captures the magic of the day that can be passed down for generations to come. Finding the right Indianapolis wedding photographer, in a sea of options can be a daunting task.

But fear not! Our comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the the vast options and find the perfect artist to immortalize your special day. As an Indianapolis wedding photographer for 5 years now, we know all the tips to help guide you on this journey.

Understand Your Style

Before you start your search, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your personal style and the kind of photography that resonates with you. Indianapolis wedding photographers are plentiful and every style you envision you will find! 

I always recommend going onto Pinterest and creating a board of what you are drawn to.

Do you favor traditional poses? Or are you drawn to candid, spontaneous shots?

Do you seem to pin dramatic, high contrast photos? Or do you prefer soft, lighter shots?

Knowing your preferences will help you narrow down your options and find a photographer whose portfolio aligns with your vision. This is absolutely a crucial first step. You want to find a photographer whose editing matches your vision and style. Please know – it is not fair to ask your photographer to edit in a different style. A dark and moody photographer won’t edit light and airy. It’s OK to pass on a photographer because another matches your style vision better. At the end of the day, we all want you to be happy and in love with your photos and pass them on for generations to come! 

Research and Shortlist

Once you have a sense of your style, it’s time to dive into research. Utilize resources like The Knot and WeddingWire to find top-rated photographers in Indianapolis. Pay attention to reviews and testimonials, as they can provide valuable insights into the photographer’s professionalism, reliability, and ability to capture beautiful moments. 

But know – reviews are not all that matters. Some of us (eh hem… *me* ugh!) are not the best at remembering to ask for people to go post reviews (ADHD problems amirite?!). 

So what is important to look for then??

Look for Experience and Expertise

Experience is a crucial factor when choosing a wedding photographer. When sifting through your list of Indianapolis wedding photographers, look for those who have a proven track record of shooting weddings. Experienced photographers are better equipped to handle the unique challenges of wedding photography, such as changing lighting conditions, weather, and the fast-paced nature of the event.

Review Portfolios

Take the time to thoroughly review the portfolios of your shortlisted photographers. Look for consistency in the quality of their work and see if their style aligns with your vision. Pay close attention to the emotions captured in their images, as well as their use of lighting, composition, and creativity. A strong portfolio will give you confidence in their ability to deliver stunning results.

Ask to see multiple full galleries. Review different settings. Inside, outside, rain, snow, cloudy days, bright days. Check on the consistency of these photos in the various settings. 

Pro-tip! 

DO NOT rely solely on Instagram or Facebook for the portfolio. These are highly curated platforms. People pick a few of the best images from the best weddings, where everything was perfect to post.

Some only post from styled shoots too. What is a styled shoot? This is where photographers, videographers, content creators, etc. get together and photograph a “mock” wedding. It is slow paced and allows for super dreamy photos BUT it isn’t reality and does not represent a real day. I LOVE styled shoots. They are so fun. But it is not the same as a face paced real wedding. 

ASK TO SEE MULTIPLE FULL WEDDING GALLERIES! *say it louder for the people in the back* ASK TO SEE MULTIPLE FULL WEDDING GALLERIES!

Meet and Connect

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, schedule consultations with your top choices. Meeting in person or via video call allows you to gauge their personality, professionalism, and communication style. Often Indianapolis wedding photographers will meet up at one of the amazing coffee shops or take clients out to lunch. But with busy schedules, sometimes Zoom is just easier. Regardless, make time to meet your potential photographers! 

It is so important to feel comfortable with your photographer. They will be spending as much time with you on your wedding day as your wedding party.

Rachel from Bohemian Lights Photography is known for her laid-back demeanor and ability to make clients feel at ease, which can be a significant advantage on such an important day.

Ask Key Questions

During your consultations, ask the right questions to ensure they’re the perfect fit for your needs.

Style

What is your photography style?

Ask how they describe it, but also make sure to describe your style. How a photographer describes may not be how you describe. Show your photographer what you love and make sure the editing matches up! 

Gallery

Can I see full galleries? Answer should always be yes! 

Pricing

What is included in your wedding pricing?

Do you offer customizable packages and pricing?

Not all do this, but Bohemian Lights Photography does. We consider it a “build your own adventure” for wedding pricing. No two weddings are the same so no two couples would want the same thing! We build it based on YOU and YOUR DAY! 

Engagements

Do you offer engagement photos? 

Bohemian Lights Photography includes engagements ALWAYS because it is an opportunity to train you on how to move, pose, and get the photo jitters out BEFORE the wedding!!! This is super important to us! 

Day Of Questions:

How many cameras do you bring? Photographers should ALWAYS have backup cameras. Backup batteries. Backup lighting. Backup SD cards. Extras of everything!

Bohemian Lights Photography always has a suitcase of backup gear. You never know what may happen. We’d rather not be in a situation where gear breaks or technology issues happen and can’t capture your day. So we always have extras on extas on extras! 

Do you have a second shooter?

Do you help with timeline building? Not all do this but some do! If you have a planner AWESOME! But if not, the photographer should help!! 

What is your backup plan in case of emergencies? Answer should include ability to tap into others to fill in if needed. You never know what may happen months or years later! 

What do you do if the venue is really dark? Answer should be they bring extra lighting. This includes flash, off camera flash, etc. 

Delivery

Do you provide black and white photos? Some include ALL in b&w, some include none. This is preference to the photographer. Personally, we do not believe all photos should be in b&w. So we include many but not every shot. What thing to ask and look out for – if they provide b&w that they also provide it in color. 

How do you deliver the photos? Some do digital galleries. Some deliver via a USB drive. Some do both. Some offer prints too. Really this is specific to the photographer. Just make sure what you receive is what you want. 

Do the digitals cost extra?

*Please note* do not ask if they deliver ALL photos. You do not want blurry or eyes closed photos! And please don’t ask for the RAWS. That is another whole topic. You can read more here. 

The answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision and ensure there are no surprises down the line.

Consider the Investment

While it’s important to stay within your budget, remember that your wedding photos are an investment in preserving cherished memories for a lifetime. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they often come with compromises in quality or service.

I see often in Facebook groups people posting they got “such a great deal!” and the photos for 8 hours, 2 shooters, etc. are $1000 or under. Then time and time again, I see the same people months later posting how disappointed they were in their product.

An Indianapolis wedding photographer can range anywhere from $2500 to $10,000 plus. This is where doing your research and digging into FULL galleries and asking the questions comes into play!! 

Your wedding is once-in-a-lifetime. Budget for a good photographer. 

It’s worth investing in a reputable photographer like Bohemian Lights Photography, who offers tailored wedding photography services designed to capture both conventional and breathtaking moments.

Trust Your Instincts

At the end of the day, trust your instincts. Choose a photographer whose work moves you and with whom you feel a genuine connection. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you deserve a photographer who will not only meet but exceed your expectations.

With these tips in mind, you’re well on your way to finding the perfect wedding photographer in Indianapolis who will turn your cherished moments into timeless treasures.

Want to chat more? Contact us today!