Choosing your wedding photographer
How to choose your wedding photographer.
This is a blog post I first wrote before the world stopped. Now we seem to be opening up again (fingers crossed) and weddings are restarting it seems like a good time to update it and re-blog it.
I expect you think this will read….
Choosing your wedding photographer….
PICK ME….
The end.
However I can’t take all the bookings so I am going to write a bit more than just ‘pick me’.
So where do you start? There’s so many photographers out there all offering many different styles and looks. You need to figure out (if you don’t already know) what you like, probably the best place to start is on on Instagram.
Do a search for wedding photography on Instagram and you will see all different sorts: candid, documentary, reportage, traditional, contemporary. That’s the style of photography then there’s also the look; light, dark, cold, warm, colourful, contrasty, muted and many variations in-between.
After you’ve got a better idea of how you want your photos to look you can start looking for photographers who do that sort of photography. Google is your friend here along with wedding directory websites such as Wedding Wire or Bridebook. You can enter in your location and search for photographers near you or your venue. Of course photographers will travel but a) you’ve got to start somewhere so start local and b) global warming, probably better for the planet to try and find someone who doesn’t have to travel miles and miles if possible.
Also ask friends and family for recommendations too. A personal recommendation is great because if they have used a photographer who’s style you love and they’ve had great service from them then you hopefully don’t have to worry about their professionalism ie if they are going to turn up or not!
You’ll probably have a long list by now, so what next? Look at their portfolio of work, don’t just go on their Instagram page as it’s probably a showcase of a few images from each wedding (the best of the best). You want to see a full wedding gallery if possible or certainly a slightly edited version of a full wedding so you can get a good idea of what to expect from your photographer. Anyone can post three or four amazing photos from a wedding, you want to make sure the rest are pretty good too.
Make sure that their body of work fits how you want your photographs to look. If you’ve a preference for light and airy looking photos, don’t pick photographers who prefer the dark and moody feel. Equally if you pick a photographer who’s work shows mainly more traditional, posed photos don’t be surprised if you don’t get any wacky angle, people caught off guard type photos.
Then get in touch with your favourites. First of all you need to know if they are free and if you can afford them. Notice I didn’t say ‘if they are in your budget’? That’s because you may have an idea of what you want to pay but if you find a photographer who you love then your budget may go out the window!
What do they include in their packages? Pretty much every photographer now gives you all the images via an online gallery or USB but some (like me!) include a photobook or album, or you can add these on as an extra cost so check out the prices of the extras. If possible speak on the phone or meet up with them, make sure you ‘click’ (pun intended!).
A few more boring but essential things to consider are; are they properly insured, (some venues require proof of this), do they have backup equipment, a back up plan for if they are sick? You don’t want half way through the ceremony their only camera to pack up, or a call the day of your wedding saying they are ill and can’t make it. Whilst these things are unfortunately generally unavoidable, a decent photographer will have back up plans in place should the worse happen.
So once you’ve gone through all these things you should have a much shorter list. Now what? Well now you have to make your final decision, it’s all down to personal preference - who do you want to capture your special day?
Good luck!
PS Pick me :)
