Victoria Selman is KILLING the game ladies and gentleman! With a fresh and innovative take on capturing her bride and grooms, Victoria's pictures are most definitely worth a thousand words ;) With such a sweet soul and forgiving heart its no wonder why couples book her 2 years in advance! Her photography speaks for itself and is incredibly gorgeous, authentic, and unique. Lets hear her tips and tricks for present planning brides and grooms!

Hey there! My name is Victoria Selman and I’m a nature-inspired wedding photographer based in Maryland with a passport in one hand & a taco in the other. I photograph weddings with my rugged husband Hunter for super chill, outdoorsy, creative couples who want a relaxed & natural wedding day experience. I’ve been a bride, too, so I’ve got you covered on both sides of the photographer search - let’s dig in and help you find the wedding photographer of your dreams!

1. Let the Search Begin!

As you set out to snag a photographer that is the p-e-r-f-e-c-t fit for you, start by brainstorming what photography style, wedding day approach, budget (can I get an amen??), and personality you’re looking for.

STYLE // What style of photography do you love? Fine art film // traditional // bright & white // dark & moody // a blend of two styles // etc.
APPROACH // Are you searching for a high-energy solo photographer, one who shoots with a consistent second shooter, or a hilarious husband & wife team?
BUDGET // Just like styles, there’s a wide range of costs out there. Talk with your savvy wedding planner to estimate an amount that pairs well with your total budget to get the best experience, professionalism, and creativity levels at a price that makes you comfortable.
PERSONALITY // I’ll touch on this more in the ‘Joke Over Some Java’ section, but, man, you’re going to need to like your photographer as a human.

Armed with a general idea of your criteria, ask your savvy wedding planner to recommend a trusty ‘tog they’ve worked with & love. You can also search around Pinterest, search your venue location tag on Instagram, look through local & national blogs, & hunt through Facebook to find your friends’ wedding photos that you thought were to-die-for. Get your millennial search on!

2. Scout The Photographer’s Site

Now that you have a potential fit (or a few), go ham in stalking their website. Click through their portfolio slideshows, give their blogs a good scroll, and even check out their instas. You should start to vibe their style right away - in both photos & the words they use. For an example, I best describe my style as creative photojournalism with earthy, natural tones - avoiding trends, keeping skin tones natural, and creating timeless images of real moments & outdoor adventures is something that resonates with my clients. Keep in mind as you’re searching that the slideshows you’re seeing on websites are typically highlight reels, so you’ll want to check out full wedding galleries to make sure the rest of their photos are consistent with the best-of-the-best. And speaking of consistency, take a moment to notice the flow of the collection of images you’re finding - do you want someone who edits bright & white one minute, then dark & moody in the next? Probably not, consistency is key here.

3. Check Availability & Budget

Once you’ve decided you’re diggin’ this photographer, go ahead & submit an inquiry on their site to find out if they’re available. Give each answer to their form a valiant effort, remember they’re trying to discern if you two would be a great fit, too! As you key-in to your budget with your planner, remember that your photo collection will be the one tangible thing that you pass down for generations. So while it might be tempting to go with someone who costs less, choose a photographer who you know will beautifully capture your emotion-filled moments that only happen once.

The two main ingredients to compare in pricing packages are (1) how many hours of coverage are included and (2) whether or not they include a second photographer. For day-of coverage, you might only want 4 hours or maybe you want 10 (our average is 7-8 hours) and that will change the price significantly. For a second shooter, it might be important to you to have photos of your groom getting ready / four eyes on your ceremony / flexibility for them to split-up if the timeline gets a little crazy / etc. so take note whether you need to add a second photographer to your package or if it’s included. Your savvy planner will help you navigate these waters - so have no fear!

4. Joke Over Some Java

Being in love with your photographer as a person is equally as important as being in love with their style. Get this: you’ll spend more time with your photographer on the day of your wedding than anyone else - including the person you’re actually marrying! So, yep, you need to like them. Do you want someone who makes jokes, keeps things light-hearted, and is flexible with the schedule? Or are you someone who prefers a more serious personality who sticks to the rigid timeline? Remember, there are no wrong answers here, just meet up with them for a cup of coffee // a cold beer // or even a FaceTime ring & get to chatting. It’s important to me that my clients know I’m relaxed day-of & that they can trust me to be responsible, organized, and completely autonomous when it comes to capturing the important moments of their emotion-filled day. Simply put, if you’re not jiving with your photographer it’s going to be challenging to feel natural & relaxed in front of the camera.

5. Book ‘Em!

Once you’ve found someone you & your fiancé love, book ‘em right up. Hunter & I book anywhere from 3 months out to sometimes 2 years in advance, so when you’re ready, go for it!