When it comes to planning an event, there’s a lot to think about. Whether you are planning a big birthday party, wedding, anniversary, graduation, engagement party or any other big event, you’ve probably got a to-do list as long as your arm. You’ll want to take the time to find the right venue, get your guest list just right, make sure that you have found the right food as well as the perfect outfit. You’ll spend time planning everything right down to the smallest details to make your event perfect, but with everything going on, how do you slow down and capture the moment? A simple answer, photographs.

Surely your guests will take pictures and post them on social media, but, for the most part, those photos won’t be very good. They’ll be blurry, messy, and they’ll leave you looking a mess because they don’t know how to hit those angles. That’s why one of your most important tasks ahead of your big day should be finding the right photographer. Here’s how to do it:

Look Online

Start out by looking at sites like Vittore Buzzi Photography online. Get a good feel of what is available in your area, how much you are likely to pay, and some of the packages that you could get for your event. Make sure you do this as far in advance as possible to give yourself time to narrow your search. Don’t forget that websites aren’t your only online tool anymore. You should also take the time to look on social media, especially Instagram to check out the work of local photographers.

Ask for Recommendations

You’ll have friends and family members that have hired photographers in the past. Ask them for recommendations, and take a look at their photos. Ask about their personality, how professional they were, how they behaved on the day. Ask about the cost and what they got for their money and perhaps most importantly, ask if they’d use the same photographer again.

Know What You Want

Not all photographers have the same strengths, so it’s a good idea to know what kind of thing you want before you start to narrow down your options. Do you want a theme? Would you prefer your photos candid or posed? Will they be taken outside or indoors? Look for photographers that specialize in what you are looking for. It’s also a good idea to know where your event will be and when, so you can make sure any photographer that you meet is available when you need them.

Have a Chat

When you meet prospective photographers, you’ll want to look through their portfolio. You’ll also need to check what they offer and settle on a budget. Finding the right photographer for a personal event is quite personal. You’ll want to make sure that they understand what you want and that they’ll be a perfect fit for your event.