How to Find a Charleston SC Wedding Photographer That Fits Your Needs
If you’re searching for the perfect Charleston SC wedding photographer to capture your special day, you’ve probably quickly realized how many photographers there are. With so many options, knowing what to look for and the right questions to ask is essential to ensure you find the perfect match for your needs and style. It’s okay to look at Pinterest for these questions, but I will cover the questions that really matter, so let’s get started!
Table of Contents:
- Experience Matters
- Personal Approach to Your Day
- What Sets Them Apart
- Backup Process and Second Shooters
- The Basics
Experience Matters:
When considering a Charleston SC wedding photographer, experience is vital. It’s not just how many weddings they’ve shot but also how they handle different situations. Ask them about their approach to handling unexpected delays, adverse weather conditions, and managing timelines and family dynamics.
As for my approach, I’ve been fortunate to capture countless weddings, each teaching me valuable lessons. One of my main focuses is being present when needed and blending into the background when not. I prioritize capturing genuine moments, ensuring my clients are immersed in their day without feeling overwhelmed by posing for hours.
Personal Approach to Your Day:
Every photographer has a unique style and approach to capturing weddings. Some may focus heavily on posed shots, while others, like myself, prioritize candid moments. It’s crucial to understand how your photographer plans to document your wedding day and ensure it aligns with your vision. If you want all candid photos but hire a photographer who focuses mainly on posed photos, you might not necessarily receive what you want.
For me, it’s about authenticity and connection. I believe in letting moments unfold naturally while also ensuring my clients are comfortable and I get the best lighting for their photos. Posed photos are essential, but they shouldn’t dominate the day. My goal is to photograph the essence of your love story in its purest form.
What Sets Them Apart:
Beyond technical skills, what truly sets a photographer apart is their why. For me, it’s deeply personal. Having experienced significant loss in my life, I understand the importance of cherishing moments and being present. As a Charleston SC wedding photographer, I capture many real, meaningful memories that will transcend for years and years to come. Because this is such a special occasion for you, you want all your guests to be together. A wedding is a truly once-in-a-lifetime moment, where you marry the love of your life and have a great celebration with family and friends.
Family formals tend to be everyone’s least favorite part of the day, but it’s important to me that I have a list from my couples so we remember everyone. I never want them to look back on their wedding day and feel sad that they didn’t get a photo with just the bride and mom together. I am 100% there for my couple’s best interest.
Kind Words About Charleston SC Wedding Photographer, Emma Lili Photography:
“WOW is all I have to say about Emma & her team. Emma is so easy and fun to work with! When we met her for our engagement pictures, she made us feel so comfortable and we had a blast with the shoot! Her work is AMAZING! We shared the moments of the (wedding) day we wanted her to focus on, and she listened and did exactly that! Our family and friends also commented on how phenomenal she was. We also used Emma and her team for our videography. The videos captured our entire venue and the feelings and love of the day perfectly. The quality of the videos were more than we could’ve ever imagined. It’s like watching a Hollywood movie of our special day! We’re so happy we found Emma for our special day. Without a doubt, the best photography and videography team!!” – Jennifer
Backup Process and Second Shooters:
A reliable backup process is crucial in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. Ensure your photographer uses dual memory card cameras and has a robust backup system in place. Additionally, you can inquire about the photographer’s vetting process to guarantee the utmost professionalism and reliability for their second photographer. I prioritize having great second shooters, so I ensure they undergo training to equip them to step in seamlessly if needed. I prioritize investing in my team to ensure my clients receive the best.
The Basics:
Don’t forget to cover the basics when discussing your photography needs:
- Resolution and quality of photos: Ask to see a couple of full wedding galleries to see what their work looks like, and you’ll not just see the “highlights” on their website or social media.
- Delivery turnaround time: This can be different for each photographer. Some may deliver the whole gallery very quickly, while others might pride themselves on editing and making sure each photo is perfect, so it will take longer.
- Sneak peek options: Be sure to ask if they will send you sneak peeks. If they do, see how many you can expect and their timeframe. You’ll be itching to see some photos from the best day of your life!
- Number of images delivered: Like the delivery turnaround, the number of photos you receive will vary. If you’re expecting 1,000 photos, and then get 400 back, you don’t want to be alarmed.
- Delivery method: Now that things are primarily digital, you’ll want to see if you’ll receive an online gallery or if they will send you physical copies of the photos.
- Package inclusions and print products: While photography packages can be similar, make sure what you really want throughout your photography experience is included in the package of your choosing. Also, make sure you ask about the possibility of printing your photos and any albums.
Ready to Book Your Charleston SC Wedding Photographer?
I hope this gives you some great insight into the process you can take when finding the perfect wedding photographer, because at the end of the day the memories might fade away, but the photos will always be around! If you resonate with my approach and values, I’d be honored to be a part of your journey.
Fill out my contact form, and we can chat about your wedding photography needs and get your wedding date on my books. Let’s create timeless memories together!
Kind Words From An Emma Lili Couple:
“I can’t begin to express how grateful my husband and I are for the incredible wedding photography experience we had with Emma and her team. From the very first meeting to the final shot, they were an absolute delight to work with!
Emma’s warmth and genuine passion for her craft made us feel immediately at ease in front of the camera. Her ability to capture the most natural and candid moments was truly remarkable. She effortlessly made us feel comfortable, and it reflected in the stunning photos she produced.
Emma (and her team) took the time to understand our vision and preferences, ensuring that they captured every moment that mattered to us.
We cannot recommend Emma and her team enough to all the brides out there. If you want a wedding photographer who not only has incredible talent but also makes the entire process enjoyable and stress-free, Emma is the one!
Thank you, Emma, for making our special day even more memorable. We are forever grateful for the moments you captured so beautifully. To all future brides, do yourself a favor and book with Emma – you won’t be disappointed!” – Hunter
