Step #1
Discover your style: Create a Pinterest Mood/Inspiration Board
Start with searches in Pinterest using terms like

• Bridal/Bride and Groom portraits
• Weddings: dark and moody, light and airy, formal, traditional, outdoor, documentary etc.
• Weddings: Ottawa, Carleton Place, Perth, Parliament Hill, Byward Market, Stanleys Olde Maple Lane Farm etc.
• The possibilities for search are endless so make up your own
• Save the pictures you like onto your board

• When you are exhausted from this - it can be exhausting
• Let your board sit for a day or two
• Come back to your board and remove the pictures that don’t quite make it for you
  
  Now you know the style you love!

Step #2
Find a local photographer who echoes your style

• Use Google or Chat GPT to search "Ottawa Wedding Photographers", "Ottawa Wedding Photographer Prices" or "Wedding Photographers near me"
  This will identify photographers in your area who are serious about weddings and have made their SEO work to get your attention
• Ask close Friends and Family for suggestions
  They will want what is best for you
• Join Ottawa Facebook wedding boards, and ask for suggestions.
  Remember to include your date and budget - note: a lot of photographers - including me - have notifications set for these posts and respond quickly especially if they know some details 
• Ask your venue if they have a preferred vendor list
  In the US some venues charge vendors to be on this list but I haven't seen evidence of this in Canada
• Create a tab in your search bar titled "Wedding Photographers"
• Visit all of the websites you've found and, with your Pinterest boards open to compare
  If their vibe matches yours, add them to your "Wedding Photographers" tab

• Go back and look at prices (or "investment") compare and narrow it down to your top 5 based on style and price

Step #3
Reaching Out

• Reach out to your top choices via email, text or phone
  Save time by sharing the following with them
• Your wedding date
• Your wedding venues and locations
• When and how you can meet them (zoom or in person)
  And ask
• If they are available on your date
• Their prices (if not shared on their website)
• If it would be them or an associate photographer
• That they send you a link to see a complete wedding gallery
• Will they send a sample wedding photography contract for your review
  

Step #4
Checking for fit

• How quickly did they reply to your email? 
  It is reasonable to expect that there should be some lag in their response - they could be out shooting a wedding or have other things going on in their lives but they should reply within 24 hours, but also remember that the speed in which you respond to emails can be telling them how quickly you want to be responded to as well - so please don’t ghost them after they respond.
• If they sent you a complete gallery, how do they compare to your inspiration boards?
• Do you need to (or can you) adjust your budget to fit them into your plans?
  Expenses for weddings can get extreme, by prioritising what is important to you, you will get closer to the wedding of your dreams.
• Most wedding photographers require a retainer followed by interim payments leading up to your wedding day.
  This will ease your cash flow and allows the photographer to function in a seasonal industry.
• Do they accept credit cards? 
  Some couples use points to help pay for their honeymoons and some photographers don't want to pay the credit fees that come along with offering complete options (I accept either credit cards or etransfers).
• Does their contract or agreement match what they say on their site? 
  Some key things to note 1. copyright rules 2. how many pictures promised 3. who the photographer will be 4. package/price breakdown and payment schedule and 5. a refund policy
  
  If all of these line up with your expectations, set up a meeting with them in person or over Zoom

Step #5 
Meeting with them

Meet them to see if they are serious about your wedding either in person or over zoom

• What is your general/personal impression them? Do they seem to be groomed/dressed for business (it is a business)? How social are they and can they relate to you? Do you get the feeling they will be a good fit for your family and friends?
  Questions to ask include
• How many cameras do you bring and what other gear do you use? I've heard too many stories of photographers that don't have back up gear (cameras/lighting and even batteries) to be professionally responsible for a "one-chance in a lifetime to get it right" event. 
• Do you have experience with this (my) venue/culture/style of wedding? This isn't a "red flag" so much as a measure of experience with working with a critical path of understanding micro moments that you may need to coach them on. Regardless of experience they should also be asking micro-detail timing questions.
• How do you dress on the wedding day?
  It's a wedding but everyone has their own ideas of how to fit in (or stand out) while also being comfortable in doing their job.
• Do you have a second photographer or assistant included?
  This is important for meal planning as well as for diversity photo opportunities and a unique perspective this can offer in your final images.
• How much liability insurance do you carry?
  If a light stand falls in the middle of a dance floor who gets sued (hopefully, not you).
• Will you do a critical path and shot list for my day?
  Having a plan is a sign of prepared professionalism.
• Do you require meals and where do you prefer to be seated?
  If you have a photographer reserved for a full day you will want them to have food so that their energy level remains high while also having them available to capture the goings-on at your reception.
• When do you need to know if we want to move forward with you?
  You may already know if this is the photographer for you, in which case go ahead and book them. If not, take a day to discuss with your partner and get back to them as soon as possible. One way or the other, the photographer needs to know as there will be over 6,000 weddings in the Ottawa area this year and dates get filled up quickly - holding a date for a "maybe"isn't fair to either of you.