25 Best Wedding Photographers In America
When it comes to finding a photographer to capture what most people dub "the most important day of your life," a.k.a. your wedding, we here at The Daily Meal understand that is no easy feat.
Click here for the 25 Best Wedding Photographers in America (Slideshow)
With thousands of photographers dedicated to capturing nuptials, it can be a daunting task to sift through the endless company websites and review sites in search of the best shooter for your special celebration. In order to make your selection process easier, we've done the dirty work for you, rounding up the Top 25 Best Wedding Photographers in America using a distinct methodology.
We started our compilation by coming up with five categories: national recognition, social media influence, creative compositions and poses, wedding package offerings, and editorial input. Then, we developed a points system of 1 to 5 (5 being best) for the categories, taking into account the specific metrics that determined industry clout and leadership for each one. Lastly, we designated a weighted percent to each category to reflect that some–like national recognition (30%) and social influence (25%)–have a more pronounced effect on success than others.
After that, it was time to hit the web. We started out by compiling a list of 50 of the most nationally recognized wedding photographers in the field, looking through top wedding publications like Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot and Style Me Pretty, as well as distinguished photography publications like Rangefinder Magazine, American Photo Magazine and PDN. Next, we researched Facebook and Instagram to see how our 50 photographers' Likes and follower counts stacked up. From there, we studied the style and creativity of each (20% weight), giving higher point totals to those who employed more artistic shots, made better use of scenery and angles, and acted as industry trendsetters. Wedding packages was only weighed at 10%, as most of the higher end photographers offer a combination of albums, prints, and a second shooter or assistant.
The final category allowed me to use my professional input and editorial eye to make judgments based on experience, as I happen to be a veteran wedding photographer, myself. Many of the people on the list are household names who have inspired other photographers for years; others are rising stars who have fought hard to stand out in such a competitive industry.
Adeline Ramos is a fine art photographer with over who has shot over 200 weddings and has worked with some of the top wedding photographers in the industry. Her wedding photography has been featured on Style Me Pretty and was nominated for Image of the Year 2013 by Belle Lumière Magazine.
25. Michelle March
Miami based photographer Michelle March offers both vibrantly romantic photographs and cinematography. Teaming up with her videographer husband, Michael, makes her one of the most boutique full service wedding vendors in the US. Her work has been featured in top wedding blogs and magazines including The Knot and Southern Weddings.
Laura Murray's soft colors and intimate compositions have garnered her global recognition, recently photographing Tony award nominee Annaleigh Ashford's wedding in the mountains.This Colorado based photographer and former Bronco's cheerleader is often published in top wedding blogs and magazines, and was recently named one of Martha Stewart's Top Wedding Photographers.
Read on and see if any of the photographers on our list is right for your big day. All of them travel, so wherever you're tying the knot, you'll be able to have one of them capture every important moment.