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Finding the Perfect Kentucky Wedding Photographer: A Guide to Capturing Your Special Day
- jennastevensphoto
- Jan 9, 2023
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 3, 2024
Serving: Kentucky, Lexington, Louisville, Indiana, Ohio, Cincinnati and Beyond!
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Your wedding is one of the most significant days of your life, and finding the right photographer to capture those precious moments is crucial. Kentucky offers a wealth of talented wedding photographers, but selecting the perfect one for your day can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration in Louisville, a rustic barn wedding in the countryside, or an intimate elopement in Red River Gorge, here’s a guide to help you find the ideal wedding photographer in Kentucky.
How to find the perfect Photographer?
Where do you even begin?! With the help of Google, Instagram, Facebook, The Knot, and Wedding Wire, it is easy to find photographers near you who specialize in portrait photography for weddings and engagements. These sites are also great resources for reading reviews from couples who have used their services before.
To find the best creative for your big day, find creatives whose style and budget are a perfect match for your own vision. Make a list of your favorite photographers and reach out to each one by using the contact form on their website (this is usually the BEST way to get a response). Try to avoid reaching out via DMs on social media, as most photographers are receiving many other likes/comments/messages throughout the day... your message may get lost in the mix or cause an extreme delay in their response.
Asking friends, family and other couples is also a great way to hear personal testimonials about photographers they may have hired or know through word of mouth. I also HIGHLY recommend taking that extra step of setting up a call or video chat to help build rapport with your prospective photographer and will ensure everyone involved is on the same page when it comes time to capture your precious memories.
5 tips to make sure your wedding photographer is the best fit for you.
1. Define Your Wedding Photography Style – Before diving into a search, determine the style of photography that resonates with you and your fiance Do you prefer a classic, timeless look or a more modern, candid approach? Photographers often specialize in styles such as:
• Documentary/Photojournalistic: Capturing the day as it unfolds, with little posing or direction.
• Traditional/Formal: Focused on posed portraits and key moments.
• Fine Art: Creative and artistic, often with a more editorial feel.
• Lifestyle: Blends candid moments with some direction, creating natural but polished images.
Browse through wedding blogs, Pinterest, and Instagram to gather inspiration and figure out what style suits your vision. This will help narrow down your options when searching for a photographer who can bring your dream wedding to life.
2. Understand the Packages and Pricing – Kentucky wedding photographers offer a variety of packages, ranging from a few hours of coverage to full-day shoots that include engagement sessions and even post-wedding day-after sessions. When comparing pricing, consider what’s included:
• Hours of coverage
• Number of photographers
• Engagement or bridal session options
• Travel fees
• Prints, albums, or online galleries
*Remember that photography is an investment. While it’s important to stay within your budget, it’s equally important to prioritize quality—these photos will be your lasting memories of your wedding day.
3. Check Portfolios and Testimonials
Have an honest conversation about the type of pictures you want captured and what moments are important to you. No two artists are alike! From moody and bold to bright and airy... be sure to hire someone that reflects what you envision. Once you’ve identified photographers whose style matches your vision, take a deep dive into their portfolios. Look for full wedding galleries to get a sense of how they capture an entire day—not just the highlight reel. This will help you see how they handle different lighting, locations, and moments.
*Most photographers are only able to share a small fraction of their work on their websites and social media. Be sure to reach out and ask to see full galleries!
Additionally, testimonials from past clients can offer valuable insights. Look for reviews that speak to the photographer’s professionalism, communication skills, and ability to make the couple feel at ease throughout the day.
4. Review their packages
This kinda goes hand in hand with pricing. Make sure that the package they offer suits your needs and budget while also providing the quality and quantity of pictures that you are looking for. Does their package include enough hours to cover the events you need photographed? If not, are you able to add on more? And if so, at what cost? Every wedding is so unique so it's important to find someone who can build a package for your specific needs.
5. Ask questions
Asking questions upfront helps you get to know the photographer better, as well as understand what their process is like and how much time it will take for them to deliver your wedding photos after the event is over. Your experience is extremely important! It doesn't begin and end with your wedding so it's important to know what to expect before and after the event.
6. Consider Engagement and Other Pre-Wedding Sessions
Many Kentucky photographers offer engagement sessions, which can be a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. It’s also an opportunity to create more memories in locations special to you—whether it’s a scenic overlook in Daniel Boone National Forest or a cozy café in Louisville.
Other pre-wedding sessions, like bridal portraits or “first look” sessions, can also be a fun way to work with your photographer and build a rapport before the wedding.
7. Ask About Experience with Kentucky Weddings
Kentucky offers a wide range of wedding venues, from scenic outdoor locations to historic mansions and modern city spaces. Ensure your photographer has experience with venues similar to yours. Ask if they’ve shot in varying weather conditions or how they handle unexpected changes, such as an outdoor ceremony being moved indoors due to rain.
Experienced Kentucky photographers will also know how to make the most of the state’s unique landscapes and lighting conditions, capturing the natural beauty of locations like Cumberland Falls or the rustic charm of a barn wedding in the Bluegrass.
8. Meet or Chat Before Booking
Your wedding photographer will be by your side for most of your wedding day, so it’s essential to feel comfortable with them. Schedule an in-person meeting or video call to ensure you connect with the photographer on a personal level. This is your chance to discuss their approach, ask questions, and share your vision for the day. Pay attention to how they respond—do they listen carefully? Do they seem genuinely excited about your wedding?
9. Start Local
Kentucky is home to a diverse range of wedding photographers. Narrow your search by looking for photographers based in the region where you’ll be getting married. This can help with logistical factors like travel costs and familiarity with local venues. A Kentucky-based photographer will also understand the unique beauty and nuances of shooting in locations such as the rolling hills of horse country, the vibrant streets of downtown Lexington, or the serene lakes and forests scattered across the state.
10. Look for a Photographer Who Aligns with Your Timeline
Your wedding timeline is critical when it comes to photography. Some moments, like getting ready shots, the ceremony, family portraits, and the reception, are standard, but if you have unique elements—like a sunset ceremony or a sparkler exit—make sure your photographer is aware and comfortable capturing those moments.
Discuss your timeline in detail and see if they offer suggestions on how to structure the day for the best lighting and smoothest flow of events. An experienced Kentucky wedding photographer will know how to optimize shooting times, especially if you’re planning to incorporate Kentucky’s famous golden-hour lighting or want iconic shots with a beautiful bluegrass backdrop.
This tip emphasizes the importance of communication and planning, ensuring that your photographer can seamlessly capture all the key moments of your day.
5 questions to ask your prospective photographer
1. How much experience do you have? This is an extremely important question! They may photograph weddings, but for how long? Years of experience can be incredibly important in any field or profession. With every year of work, you gain more knowledge and skills that can help you succeed. You also refine your understanding of the industry, stay up to date with trends, and build relationships with others. I have over a decade of experience and it has given me a unique perspective and allows me to tackle problems from different angles.
2. Do you have any sample albums from previous weddings or events you have shot? While highlight reels look great on social media, it’s essential to see an entire wedding gallery to understand how the photographer captures all parts of the day—getting ready, ceremony, portraits, reception, and candid moments. This question gives you a chance to see MORE! You'll see how they document a wedding day from start to finish. From capturing the big moments to capturing everything in between.
3. What equipment do you use and do you have a backup process to ensure our photos are not lost? This gives you peace of mind knowing they will show up with the necessary professional equipment to photograph your day. After your event, it is important to know what their backup process is. I highly recommend hiring someone who keeps your photos in AT LEAST two other locations (in addition to their hard drive).
For example: When photographing a couples wedding day, I have two memory cards in my camera. When I take a photo, two copies are made- one on each card. After your event, I go home and take both cards out of my camera. I put one card into my computer and copy the photos to my hard drive. After the photos are finished being copied, your photos now exist in THREE seperate places (the two memory cards and my hard drive). Some photographers- like myself, will take an extra precaution and upload a 4th copy to an online "cloud". Because let's be real... life can happen to anyone at ANY TIME! What if my hard drive and memory cards are destroyed by a house fire, or stolen in a robbery... the cloud copy will be our only saving grace.
4. Are there additional charges such as 2nd photographers, albums, or travel expenses? Some couples may want to add an engagement session or extra coverage time to cover the reception. It's best to have everything laid out from the start so there are no surprises later.
5. How soon after the event can we expect to see our photos? The turnaround time greatly varies from one photographer to the next. Just because your friend or family member received their wedding photos back within 2 weeks doesn't mean that will be the case for you! Be sure to check your contract for the agreed upon turnaround time.
Examples of wedding photography in Kentucky by © Jenna Stevens Photography
Here are some of my current favessss! I also have the full albums ready to send if you wanna take a peak. Contact Me!
Do you have a special occasion coming up, like a wedding or celebration? If so, I'd be incredibly honored to help capture the joy and intimate moments on your big day! Your loved ones will treasure the photographs taken and it truly gives me great pleasure when I can provide these incredible portraits. It's my favorite part about being a portrait photographer - having the chance to celebrate with you and your loved ones on such an incredible event. So don't hesitate to contact me for all your wedding photography needs - I'm more than happy to help make sure your big day is documented for everyone involved to cherish for years to come.
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and choosing the right photographer will ensure that the memories are preserved for years to come. When searching for your perfect Kentucky wedding photographer, keep your style, venue, and personality in mind. The right photographer will not only capture stunning images but will also make the experience enjoyable and stress-free.
With a little research and thoughtful consideration, you’ll find the photographer who will tell the beautiful story of your wedding day—one that you’ll cherish forever.
Ready to start your search? Reach out and let’s chat about how we can capture the magic of your Kentucky wedding day!
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