5th FEBRUARY 2020

5 TIPS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE YOUR PERFECT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER!

(Reading time: 4 minutes)

Hello February! (Where the heck did January go?!) This year is a big one as I’m planning my own wedding! I recently had the exciting and slightly daunting task of choosing my own wedding photographer. Eee! In the process, I felt extremely thankful to have already been exposed to the world of wedding photography - I knew exactly what I was looking for and how to go about it. But there is SO much out there now. Where do you start if you’re new to all this?! Where wedding photography used to seem quite generic, it’s now a field for creative-types who all want to stand out from the crowd; the difference in editing styles and approach to the day itself are HUGE. Here are 5 simple bits of advice to get you a bit more clued up and inspired!

TIP 1: EXPLORE EDITING STYLES

As you start to explore, you’ll find that there are a whole range of editing styles, from ‘light and bright’ to ‘dark and moody’, from ‘traditional’ to ‘arty’. You’ll also see what colours the photographer likes to enhance or mute. Green grass for instance can be made bright and vivid, or less saturated and slightly ‘khaki’.

Decide what fits best with your wedding and its style, and generally go with what you’re naturally drawn to. This may be influenced by whether you’re having a Spring/Summer wedding or an Autumnal/Winter wedding, or whether you’re outdoors or inside a candle-lit barn!

TIP 2: KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER’S PERSONALITY

In my opinion, this is one of the most important things to consider when choosing your wedding photographer! Out of all your suppliers, your wedding photographer will spend the most time with you throughout the day, and has the responsibility to ensure you feel comfortable. Are you/they a ‘people person’? Yes, some photographers are great with a camera, but they MUST be good at picking up on emotions and have a true heart for you. Would you and your wedding guests prefer a rowdy wedding photographer that may direct a lot on the day, or would you/they prefer a calming presence that gently guides you?

Don’t hesitate to meet for a coffee or arrange a Skype with your photographer before you commit to booking them in! How you feel will reflect in your photographs.

TIP 3: LOOK AT THEIR SHOOTING FOCUS

Wedding photographers have a lot to document throughout the day; the natural interactions between loved ones, the thoughtful details, the stationary, the flowers, individual accessories, wedding favours, photos of the couple themselves, the important group photos, fun group photos on the dance floor…etc! I assumed that most photographers generally cover a bit of everything until a friend of mine received her wedding photos and the photographer hadn’t taken any photos of the homemade wedding stationary (order of ceremony, table plan, signs), the wedding favours, and the handmade photo booth. He was a great wedding photographer, but clearly focused heavily on shooting the natural occurrences between people, rather than the details. Other photographers adore the detail shots! Others may focus on constantly getting people in to groups to pose. There seems to be a lot of different approaches to the day, so make sure their priorities align with your expectations.

Ask your photographer if you can see a full gallery so you can generally see how they shoot on the day and what they focus on.

TIP 4: CHECK THEIR PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION

Whoever you choose, it’s important that they send you a contract for you to sign. This will protect you and them in case of any unforeseen illnesses or circumstances. Make sure you thoroughly read the contract before signing it in case there appears to be any sneaky clauses!

Depending on your venue, they will likely ask for the photographer’s proof of public liability insurance. Most professional photographers should have this, but it’s worth checking with your venue if it’s necessary, and then checking if your photographer has it.

TIP 5: BUDGET WELL

As tempting as it may be to some, now is not the time to be relying on your friend who is a fashion photographer to ‘do you a favour’ and photograph your wedding! The best wedding photographers have years worth of experience and knowledge to know where to be at the right time, how to shoot and flatter you in all sorts of light and weather conditions, how to deal with time-restrictions, how to blend in with your friends and make everyone feel as ease, and they have invested time in training/tutorials specifically for weddings!

Your photographs will be your lasting memory of a truly special day that you can show generations to come! If you find a photographer that you warm to and feel as though you can trust, see if you can play around with your budget and allocate it to them! You absolutely will not regret it!