Photography: CJK Visuals

There are many important things to consider before jumping into any kind of relationship, and we believe the same principle rings true when starting a relationship with your wedding vendors. Wedding photographers are especially important, as they are responsible for making your special moments last forever. Just like choosing a partner, choosing your wedding photographer is a once-in-a-lifetime decision and you will have to live with the consequences long after the wedding day ends.

There's no need to worry too much, because we're here to help! Just follow our five-step guide below to find the perfect wedding photographer.

Step 1: Decide on a photography style

Before you start looking for a photographer, you need to answer this question: What does a good wedding photograph look like to you? Photographers have many different styles and tones, and no two photographers are truly alike. Do you like documentary-style photography or carefully posed shots? Do you prefer muted colors or highly saturated colors? There is no right or wrong answer, as it all depends on your taste and preferences.

Before hiring a photographer, you need to see their portfolio and decide whether you like their work or not. One common thing to avoid is to hire a wedding photographer and tell them to emulate the signature style of another photographer. If you're not quite sure about the photography style that you like, check out four of the most popular photography styles below. Remember that there are no set rules, and many photographers combine different styles or can even have completely different styles altogether.

Photography: Mademoiselle Fiona - Caroline Tran

1. Classic
The classic style is the most well-known and timeless photography style, which was most likely used for your parents' or even grandparents' wedding album. A classic wedding album usually has clean, carefully composed photos with perfect lighting. If you just love those classic wedding moments—like the first look, wedding kiss, and bouquet toss—and would like yours captured in the same way, then you should look for photographers with this style.

The downside of this style is that it can make your wedding album look "too similar" to other wedding albums. To tackle this, you can ask your photographer to add a certain twist to the pictures, so the photos can look more modern and less predictable. Another thing you can do is to let loose and have fun. Let your positive radiance shine through every frame.

Photography: Jessica Loren Organic Photography - Jose Villa

2. Photojournalistic or documentary
These types of photographers are inspired by photojournalism and capture moments as they happen. They usually shoot pictures from a slightly different perspective than traditional wedding photographers, focusing on candid and spontaneous moments instead of posed portraits. If you don't enjoy posing in front of a camera, this style might be a good fit for you. The photos also give you documentary coverage, which will make you relive them easily in the future. However, this style might not be suitable if you want to take perfectly posed portraits.

Photography: Davy Linggar

3. Fine art or artistic
Fine art wedding photography is actually a bit hard to define, as the definition of art lies in the eyes of the beholder. The easiest way to tell a fine art wedding photograph is to take it out of the wedding context. Would the photo still be beautiful as a stand-alone piece of art? A fine art photographer usually has an artistic background and applies elements such as blurring or silhouettes into the pictures. With this kind of style, your wedding photos will surely be beautiful and won't look like anyone else's. The downside of this style is how it can get too artsy and abstract that it doesn't tell a wedding story like a wedding album normally would. One way to tackle this is to hire another, more conventional wedding photographer as backup.

Photography: Coco Tran - Andrew Mark

4. Lifestyle
Lifestyle photography is more or less a mixture between documentary and classic wedding photography. Candid moments are mixed with of direction and styling. As a result, you can get relaxed and relatable photos. This style is increasingly popular these days, as a lot of couples wants to have candid pictures but also want the assurance that their photos will look good. Another important thing to consider is the format. Film photography is having a comeback in the wedding world thanks to its beautiful tone and colors, but it's not for everyone as it can be costly and more time-consuming to edit. Carefully research the perks of both digital and film photography before you make a decision.

Step 2: Find potential photographers
Once you have an idea of the photography style you like, you can start looking for a suitable photographer. An easy way to do this is to search for wedding photographers based on your location and budget through Bridestory, making sure to check their portfolio and reviews before you make any major decisions. You can also reach out to friends or relatives who just got married recently and ask for recommendations.

If you're planning to get married in Indonesia, you're in luck! We've compiled 25 affordable yet highly professional wedding photographers in Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, and Surabaya for you below.

Bondan Photoworks

Ask vendor

Pre Wedding Story Kevin & Deviana by Bondan Photoworks

vendors involved in this project:

other projects you may like

Pre Wedding Story Kevin & Deviana
by Bondan Photoworks