So, this week I’ve written a blog post about choosing your wedding photographer. Fifteen and a half years ago I was a bride to be and didn’t know where to start or what I wanted from one, now I’m actually a photographer and have been for 6+ years, I have a little more insight into what I think is important. Theres so much I could probably add to the list, but I don’t want to keep you reading all day. So here we go.
Do you like their style?
When you start looking for a wedding photographer the first thing you see is their style, are they light and airy, dark and moody, true colours? – like any art this part is something that can’t really be advised, everyone likes something different.
In addition to style theres also the way they photograph the day, some photographers will give you a mix of shots, posing groups, posing portraits, candids. Some on the other hand are documentary and their work is based on capturing the day as it happens without getting involved. And then you have some that are a mix between the two.
Make sure you know what you’re getting, find one you like who will photograph your day for you. No surprises.
Do you like them? Could you spend the day with them?
Apart from your other half your photographer is the one other person you’re going to spend the most time with on your wedding day, so you’ve got to be able to get along with them, like them, and feel comfortable with having them around.
Are they going to be the photographer you get on the day?
Some companies have a team of photographers, make sure you meet, get to know and see examples of work from the photographer you will actually get.
How many weddings have they photographed? Do they have lots of examples on social media? Can they show you a full library?
Now this is important, you want to make sure the person photographing your wedding has experience of photographing the whole day as a lead photographer, their social media will be full of photos from their previous weddings, with examples from throughout the day. This shows you that they’re able to photograph your day and handle the pressure, direction and timelines a wedding brings.
Are they doing things properly?
By this I mean two main things, but firstly make sure you get a contract. A contract protects you as a couple as much as it protects the photographer, it sets out terms of what to expect and ensures that you are protected by law.
Insurance. Just in case anything goes wrong you want to make sure they’re covered. Insurance covers the kit they use, if they break anything at the venue or if anyone hurts themselves due to direction from the photographer. A lot of venues require an insurance certificate from a photographer before the big day to prove they’re covered.
Do they have back up equipment in case something goes wrong?
What do I mean by this? a spare camera body or two, lenses, more memory cards and batteries than are needed – just in case. You want to make sure they can continue if their kit fails half way through the day.
Have they worked at your venue before?
Its a great plus if they have, but never a deal breaker if they haven’t – sometimes a fresh pair of eyes on a venue will yield unique photographs. Theres always a venue someone has photographed for the first time, and a lot of the time a recce of a location is always a good idea.
What do the reviews say?
Always read reviews as they are from paying customers like you, and make sure they are relevant and refer to weddings. Someone with a lot of experience will have lots of reviews.
Hope this helps, its a big day in your life after all.
