Calgary Wedding Photographers

How far in advance should you book a wedding photographer in Calgary?

After you've been engaged, you'll certainly hear a lot of advice from well-meaning friends and relatives about when you should book your vendors and other bits of information and we understand that it might be hard to consider all of it. Luckily, we're here to help!

The average engagement in Canada lasts roughly 19 months and the average engaged couple books their wedding photographer in Calgary 12 months before the wedding date. However, this might vary depending on region and customs. Of course, depending on the conditions, engagements might be considerably shorter or much longer.

Why is it necessary to book your wedding photography so far in advance? Unlike other wedding providers like florists, caterers, tux rentals, and so on, photographers can usually only book one wedding per day. As a result, when the photographer books a popular date, that day is reserved and becomes unavailable for others.

Which wedding photography styles do photographers use in Calgary?

You've decided to hire a wedding photographer in Calgary. So, where do you begin? One of the most crucial steps in finding the ideal wedding photographer is deciding on the wedding photography style you want for your big day. You should have a broad concept of the different wedding photography styles so you can explain to them exactly what you're looking for when looking for a photographer to capture your wedding the way you pictured it. Here are the most popular wedding photography styles in Calgary:

• Traditional Wedding Photography: Traditional wedding photographers employ a lot of external lighting to create more dramatic pictures with a classic style. The couple's portraits are more traditional and posed, which some people love, especially grandparents and parents.

• Documentary Style Wedding Photography: This is possibly the most natural sort of wedding photography coverage. The photographer here captures events as they happen. S/he takes photos unobtrusively and spontaneously. This style of photography, also known as photojournalism, is ideal for couples who don't like posing and want their personalities and spontaneous reactions to shine through in their wedding photos.

• Fine Art Wedding Photography: Photographs that appear to be stand-alone works of art are considered fine art photography. Each image is gorgeous and one-of-a-kind. To the untrained eye, the techniques and angles used to capture these images may look unusual. To get this style, the photographer will go to extreme measures to acquire the shot, including putting inexpensive lighting equipment and climbing up a building.

• Vintage Wedding Photography: Photographers with a vintage aesthetic may use film or special effects to give photographs a film-like appearance. Images in this style are generally soft, faded, or grainy, so if you want a retro vibe, go with someone who defines their work in this style.

• Contemporary Wedding Photography: In this context, contemporary simply means current. This can relate to any style or technology that is fresh and new at the time in the art world. It's a mash-up of a few different styles, yet it all comes together to form a cohesive contemporary aesthetic.

How much does a wedding photographer cost in Calgary?

One of the questions we get asked most is, "how much should a wedding photographer cost?”. The cost will vary depending on what is included, the photographer's expertise, talent, and how they manage their business. Prices for wedding photography in Calgary range from $1500 to $6000+, with most packages costing between $3000 and $4000. If you're looking for affordable photographers, get in touch with as many providers as possible to locate the best match for your needs.

A wedding photographer is more than a vendor; they will be present throughout the day. They're your guide, and the procedure requires cooperation. A wedding photographer should make you think, laugh, feel at ease, and truly get to know you. Don't forget to make sure that the photographer does professional work and that their work resonates with you. That’s why you shouldn’t book the first and the cheapest, risking something that will last forever about your wedding.

What is included in a wedding photography package in Calgary?

There are a lot of wedding photographers out there, and they all have distinct services to offer. The following elements are usually included in most wedding photography packages:

• Photography coverage on the day (8/12 hrs or full day)
• A second photographer
• A pre-wedding photo session
• A certain number of digital photographs
• A large frame or canvas
• A USB stick
• A preview album
• A certain number of prints
• A wedding album
• An online gallery
• The price/deposits

In addition to these, there may be some extras. If you're thinking about hiring an out-of-town professional photographer, you will need to pay their travel and accommodation costs. You can also consider having an engagement session or increase the number of photos. Since the prices vary greatly, it would be better to sit down with your photographer and break down the price considering every element so as not to be disappointed afterwards.

What questions should you ask a Calgary-based wedding photographer?

To find the best photographer in Calgary for you, you should ask the right questions, starting with the primary style of the photographer. Then, you can ask questions related to their experience in weddings. Small photography companies might not have the necessary resources to photograph multiple weddings on the same day, so make sure that yours is the only one.

Then, proceed with asking what the contract entails, whether there's insurance and backup equipment, and what happens when the photographer is ill. You can ask questions related to editing, packaging and pricing. Don’t be shy and ask as many questions as possible to find the perfect match!

What are the best wedding and engagement photo locations in Calgary?

These Calgary settings are some of the best possibilities for your engagement and wedding photos, whether you want a more rustic or urban vibe, a historic building, or something a little quirkier:

• Baker Park
• The Lougheed House
• Edworthy Park
• Reader Rock Garden
• Fish Creek Park
• Crescent Heights
• Confederation Park
• Devonian Gardens
• Peace Bridge
• Prince’s Island Park