How to Find the Perfect Wedding Photographer
You only get one wedding day so it’s vitally important on that momentous occasion to have a photographer you can trust to capture all of the magic moments. From the joyous look in your eyes as you say your vows to getting a great shot of your special wedding hairstyle. Imagine hiring a photographer purely because they were cheap but when you get to view your photos their finger is covering the lens or the image is blurry.
While that is an extreme example, couples need to know how to find the right photographer or face being left with unsatisfactory photos of what was the happiest day of their lives. That is why we have put together this guide to help you find the perfect wedding photographer for your big day.
[Image Source: Deposit Photos]
What to ask a wedding photographer?
Experience level – Whether they are a photographer of 20 years or 20 minutes, it is important to ask about their experience level with weddings. They may have been a wildlife photographer previously but that doesn’t necessarily translate to taking amazing wedding pictures. You want a photographer who has some tangible experience in wedding photography.
What shots are they planning? – Remember, it’s your wedding day so it’s important to establish what the photographer intends to shoot while in attendance. Ask them for a planned shot list, and feel free to add to their list. For example, they might not be familiar with your particular religion so you may need to point out certain events to be aware of.
Ask to see recent shots – A wedding photography portfolio is great for guiding your early decisions but these can be cherry-picked shots over several years. Ask your photographer to share some of their recent work to see at what standard they are currently working and whether their style has changed from their portfolio.
Find a portfolio that matches your vision
When looking for a wedding photographer the first place people often begin their search is online, and with good reason. Photographers can directly market themselves on wedding sites, social media and photo sharing pages to bring as many eyes to their work as possible.
This often means they have a digital portfolio to help guide your decisions in the early identification stages. When meeting a photographer in person it’s useful to view a printed portfolio to get a better idea of how the images will look when framed.
Here are some things to consider when browsing wedding photographer portfolios:
1. The quality of their shots – which goes without saying
2. Can they inject a personal touch into their images?
3. How well-shot are their intimate images of happy couples?
4. Their proficiency for colour or black-and-white photos depending on your preference
5. The use of lighting and whether it appeals to your taste
6. What style of portrait photography do they use?
7. Can they offer up any candid shots to capture fleeting moments?
8. Do they make use of the setting or venue in their images?
[Image Source: Deposit Photos]
Budgeting for a wedding photographer
There is no getting around the need to budget for a wedding photographer. Well there is, but you are either going to be asking someone in your family to take charge of the camera or you will be relying on the burgeoning skills of a student who may be willing to work free of charge for the chance to build their portfolio.
However, 99% of the time a wedding photographer will come with a fee. A smart budget for a wedding photographer is around £1,000-£1,500 for an experienced professional, with an average fee of approximately £150 per hour.
You may be able to negotiate a better rate when meeting with the photographer, and there is certainly no harm in trying to get a deal for yourself. Decide how important your wedding photos are to you, and whether you are willing to cut costs here at the risk of potentially missing out on some shots.
Read reviews and testimonials
As you can imagine, if a photographer has taken amazing photos of someone’s wedding day then the couple would only be too happy to share their delight with others. Look for testimonials and online reviews of potential wedding photographers to help the experience of others guide your decision.
Are there any red flags? Are there no reviews at all? Make sure to do some background research on your photography candidates to increase the chances of finding the best person for the job.
Communication skills
Whether you feel like treating a consultation with a photographer like an interview or just a casual chat, it is important to get a feel for the communication skills they have on offer. Part of the wedding photographer’s job is to connect with people. This might be to gather them together for group shots or to gently move them out of the way of their own shots without imposing on your guests’ enjoyment of your day.
You know your family and friends best, and from your initial interactions it’s worth sussing out whether your photographer would be able to get them on board when instructing them. For example, your family might be full of big characters, who while respectful of your big day, might need a strong personality to corral them.
What is the etiquette for wedding photography?
Money is often a difficult subject to talk about and while it may be awkward, it is one of the first conversations you should have with wedding photography candidates. Having an idea from the beginning about their cost will help guide your decision, and because photography isn’t the only wedding expense you can get a better picture of your budget.
Your photographer may ask you to ensure that your guests keep their smartphone pictures and videos to a minimum, or possibly restrict them entirely. This isn’t because they are worried about your family getting a better shot than them but more that they may stand in the path of the photographer’s lens, preventing those special moments from your wedding day from being captured in all their glory.
How to choose a photographer for your wedding
There is no one easy way to decide whether a photographer is right for your wedding photos or not. However, by following this guide you can create a shortlist of candidates for whom you have a stronger preference.
When it comes down to the final decision there is no stronger indicator than your gut feeling. You will have met enough photographers and asked the right questions to be well informed, at that stage it comes down to the way you gel with them and how well they have communicated their vision for your big day.
With thanks to Dakota Murphey
See our Recommended Wedding Photographers here
