Choosing your wedding photographer - part 2

Choosing your wedding photographer part 2

How to Make Your Short(ish) List of Wedding Photographers

Choosing the right wedding photographer can feel overwhelming. But once you’ve set your budget, decided how much coverage you need, and figured out your preferred style, it’s time to create your short(ish) list.

Use this guide to help you narrow down the options and find a photographer who’s the perfect match for your big day.

Where to Start Looking

Personal Recommendations

Ask friends or family who’ve recently tied the knot.

• You can view their full wedding gallery.

• You already have a sense of how the photographer worked on the day.

This is a great way to get honest feedback based on real experience.

Use Wedding Directories

Sites like Bridebook and Hitched let you:

• Filter by location, budget, and style

• Create a profile to save your favourites

• Discover photographers you might not find through social media

💡 Tip: Start local to keep the list manageable, many photographers are happy to travel but filtering by region helps avoid overwhelm.

Use Google (Strategically)

Include style + location in your search.
Try:

“Documentary wedding photographer East Sussex”
“Editorial wedding photographer Lewes”

Adding key terms helps bring up photographers who actually fit your vibe.

Ask Your Venue

Venues often have a list of recommended suppliers.
Just be sure to ask:

• How is the list created? Is it based on quality?

• Or is it paid-for placement? (Yes, that happens.)

facebook Groups (With a Grain of Salt)

Local groups and planning forums can offer great suggestions.
But beware:

• You’ll get a lot of responses

• Many people just tag their friends (not always the best fit)

💡 Wedding-specific groups tend to be more helpful than general community ones.

Read Reviews

Check testimonials on:

• Google

• The photographer’s own site

• Directories like Hitched or Bridebook

Look for consistent praise and honest feedback.

First Contact: What to Ask

Once you've shortlisted your faves contact them to check if they’re available for your wedding date.

When you get in touch:

• Ask to see a full wedding gallery, ideally more than one

• Share your wedding date, venue, and rough timings

• Mention what drew you to their work

Photographers will likely showcase their best images on their site—so seeing a full gallery gives you a better sense of consistency and coverage throughout the day.

🚩 Things to Watch Out For

Styled Shoots

Styled shoots are fun and creative, but they’re not real weddings. If a website is only full of styled content ask to see real wedding galleries. Why? Because real weddings are fast-paced, emotional, and unpredictable—your photographer needs to thrive in that environment.

“Natural Light” Only

Natural light is beautiful, but…

• What if your venue is dark?

• What if it rains all day?

• What about the evening reception?

A professional should know how to use flash when needed. If someone says they only shoot in natural light, and your venue is moody or dim, that could be a problem.

Too Good to Be True?

Ultra-low prices should be a red flag. Some photographers:

• Book lots of weddings cheaply

• Send unvetted associates (sometimes without telling the couple)

• Fail to deliver or go out of business

Bottom line: If it feels suspiciously cheap, dig deeper before booking.

Meet & Greet: Before You Book

Before making a final decision, arrange to chat with your top pick(s). Most photographers are happy to meet:

• Over Zoom

• By phone

• In person

Questions to Ask:

• Are you insured?
  Venues may ask to see public liability insurance, and it’s a must-have for peace of mind.

• Do you carry backup equipment?
  Equipment fails. A pro should have at least two camera bodies and multiple lenses.

• What’s your backup plan if you can’t attend?
  Illness, injury—it happens. Ask what steps they’d take if they couldn’t shoot your wedding.

Use the call to get a feel for them personally too. You want someone who makes you feel comfortable, not just someone who takes pretty photos.

Decision Time

By now you should have:

• Seen full galleries

• Checked availability

• Asked key questions

• Got a good sense of who’s right for you

If someone ticks all the boxes and you get a great gut feeling then go for it!

Your wedding photographer is one of the most important suppliers you’ll book. Make the choice with confidence.

📌 Final Thought

At the end of the day, pick someone whose work you love and whose personality feels like a good fit. You’ll be spending a lot of your wedding day with them, so you want someone you trust, like, and can laugh with.

Happy planning, and good luck finding the perfect match! 📸💍