Top Tips for Choosing a Wedding Photographer

You’ve got the dress, suits as well as the cake, flowers and a band ….but what’s the thing that will remain an everlasting memory from your day? The photos you take should be a beautiful and timeless account of the most significant day of your lives and should help every bride and groom relive the romance and excitement allover time.

Choosing a wedding photographer can be a stressful process, however hopefully my five top tips will give you something to think about when making your choice.

1 – Image quality/style

The professional quality of a photographer’s portfolio is the primary element that draws your interest. A professional photographer should be able to provide clients with many styles, as well as capturing the personalities of the groom and bride as well as showcasing the joy and excitement of the day. Be clear on what design you’d like to see and make sure that the photographer is able to provide it within their work portfolio.

If you’re attracted by the work of a certain photographer, be sure to request all of their images (not just the favourites they have chosen for their websites!) to make sure whether the quality of the images is the same across the board.

Be aware that photographers utilize different methods of editing. If an image is highly edited, chances are this will be a common theme within their photography portfolio and is typically a tactic to hide the poor quality of an image.

The style of the images should say something about you two as an individual. If you’re looking for casual and relaxed photography or opt for a more adventurous and contemporary style, be certain to do your research and shop around.

2 – Personality

As a bride or groom, you put an enormous amount of trust on the wedding photographer. In order to get the most beautiful photos and a true account of the most significant wedding day in your lifetime, it is crucial that you are comfortable and relaxed when they are around.

It is usually evident within the first 5 minutes of meeting someone whether you feel a rapport or sense of connection. First impressions are crucial and if you can instantly form the right chord, then you’re on to a good thing. If you feel uncomfortable around your photographer , regardless of the reason, this will be obvious in your wedding photos.

Think about your guests. Should your photographer be accessible, friendly and casual, your guests will be at ease allowing the photographer to blend into the crowd and capture the day as it unfolds naturally rather than an overly posed and forced account.

Remember, a true smile is hard to fake so pick wisely and make sure you meet your photographer a few times before confirming your booking.

3. Value for Money/Cost

This is often an important factor in the selection process for a lot of brides and grooms and even though it’s an important factor however it shouldn’t be the basis for your choice. Prices that are high-end do not always ensure the highest quality, but likewise, reasonable pricing does not always indicate poor quality.

A photographer must be upfront about their pricing structures and you should be clear on your budget. Both of you don’t want to lose time so a clear dialogue right at the beginning can resolve this.

Your photographer must offer various packages to meet your needs. They should always be flexible with the pricing and what’s included in the various packages. Your photographer is providing a service and each couple will have their own expectations and demands, so make sure that your photographer can tailor make a package to meet your needs.

Always ask questions for any hidden fees. Certain photographers charge an additional charge when editing their work, including VAT and creating images for albums or even food and travel expenses. You should always ensure that all costs are clearly stated in a quote before entering in to any contractual agreement.

4. Experience

The knowledge and experience of a photographer can play a significant role in the structure and organization that the event takes place. I am sure many wedding photographers would agree that they have often played the roles of coordinator, photographer master of ceremonies and children’s entertainer. Photography is just one aspect of being a wedding photographer and without the required experience and capability to perform under constant pressure , crucial moments can be easily missed.

Make sure you choose the wedding photographer who has previously worked at the wedding location. This isn’t necessary, but the photographer should show an ability to attend the venue on a regular basis, looking for the most suitable photo spots and spots, as well as spending the time to go through the structure of the day. It’s also a good idea for the photographer to have a meeting with the wedding coordinator or venue owner to ensure that everyone is aware of the plan from beginning to finish.

Ensure you ask how many weddings they have covered since they first started their business and how long they have been in business. That doesn’t mean they’re not as competent in the event that they’ve only been working for a short period of time but will give you a good idea of their experience. In the same way, if the photographer has been in business for a long time and has experience of a plethora, you might consider examining whether their style has evolved with the times and meets the requirements of a modern day bridal couple.

5 Recommendations/Word of Mouth

The majority of my bookings been based on recommendations from former clients and through word of mouth. If your friends and family have been pleased with the quality of the service and the work of a photographer, it is likely that you will be, too. Again, this should not be the sole reason behind your choice but should be the final part of the puzzle.

Ask your friends about their experiences of their wedding photographer. You can also attempt to take suggestions and tips from people who have organized the wedding of their choice. A professional photographer will be able to provide you with a testimonial from previous clients on request. They can also provide contact details for when you’d like to contact them directly.

In the end, these top 5 tips shouldn’t be considered by any order of importance. Each of them is as vital as the previous one and when selecting the perfect wedding photographer A combination of all of these factors must be considered as the basis for your choice. May I wish you all the best luck with your wedding planning and many happy years together.