Top Tips to Find Your Perfect Wedding Photographer
Andy Dufton is a fun and laid-back wedding photographer who will keep you feeling at ease from your very first enquiry until your beautiful wedding photographs are delivered. These are his top tips to help you find your perfect wedding photographer.
The one question I hear more and more from couples who are making plans for their wedding day is ‘how do I find my perfect wedding photographer?’ The answer, of course, is not clear cut and will vary from one couple to another. Budget, personalities and photography style all need to be considered. I hope this guide will help you find your perfect wedding photographer.
There are so many wedding photographers, where do I start?
There are a LOT of photographers to choose from, and you could spend weeks searching through them all online. There are so many variables to consider too, meaning it can quickly become a rather daunting experience trying to find your perfect wedding photographer. There are also lots of horror stories on social media about people who have received less than amateur quality photos, or worse, they just didn’t turn up at all. Your wedding day isn’t something you can just do again. So how can you be sure you’re making the right choice, and this isn’t going to happen to you?
I am here to help
I’ve put together a list to highlight some things to think about and look for when trying to find your perfect wedding photographer. I hear a lot of couples say that budget is the main factor when making a decision on their photographer. But would you really book a photographer whose work you didn’t like, just because they are in budget? Remember, when you look back at your photos they should remind you of all those beautiful moments and be a true reflection of your day – not a horror story! So first on my list is…
The Photographers Style
I think this should be every couples most important factor. A photographer can seem cheap or expensive – but if you don’t like their style, you aren’t going to book them.
There are a few different styles to consider when trying to find your perfect wedding photographer. But you also need to think if a certain style will suit you as a couple, and the overall vibe of your wedding. Just like you would consider the style and vibe of a venue or other wedding suppliers, a photographers style is crucial.
I am sure you already know what some photographic styles are, whether it’s from seeing a few different galleries or reading a lot of blogs. But just in case you’re unsure, here they are…
Reportage
Also known as documentary style, this is an unobtrusive way to capture your wedding day. A documentary style photographer won’t focus on posed shots, because their method is to be present without anybody noticing them. They will get all the shots of your day as events happen: the smiles, the tears, the uncontrollable laughter. They will capture your day that tells the story from beginning to end. If you don’t like posing or you don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera, then this could be the perfect option for you.
Editorial
If you want your wedding album to resemble that of a fashion magazine then an editorial style photographer could be for you. Think Vogue or GQ and the sort of photos you would typically see in these publications. An editorial photographer will shoot creatively and a little over the top at times. Regardless of if it’s an ‘in the moment’ shot, or a posed shot, everything will have a dramatic, edgy, glamorous look to it, and will give an artistic and alternate look to your wedding day.
Fine Art
A photographer who photographs in a fine art style not only captures the story of your day, but is also looking to create a master piece in every shot taken. Every photograph has the potential to be hung on the wall of a gallery, which could mean a trip to the nearest hardware store for a few packs of picture hooks! This photographers gallery Sylvie Gil Photography has very much a fine art feel to it, and there are some beautiful locations too.
Adventurous
Now this isn’t a style as such, but if, as a couple, you are quite adventurous and outgoing, having a photographer with similar traits could prove very handy for getting some extra special shots. From something a little more on the fun side to something more daring, like standing in precarious places to capture those ultimate WOW shots, adventurous can certainly be entertaining! Basically, whatever you’re willing to do for that ultimate shot, you want to know that your photographer is willing – and capable – of doing.
A mixture of styles
One thing to bear in mind (and something you will probably notice when looking through photographers portfolios), is that a lot of photographers will have a mix of these styles; because certain things work better in certain situations. For example, it’s not always possible to capture a certain group of people naturally mingling, so in this instance, a posed photo would be needed. A posed photo of the bride and groom may look better if it’s done in a fine art or editorial style. You get the picture (pardon the pun).
The Photographers Personality
At first you may think this is a strange thing to think about. After all, your photographer is just there to take photos right? Believe me when I say, this is a very important factor to think about. You are going to be spending your whole day with this person and you will spend more time with your photographer than you will some of your guests. Having someone you get along with, and are on the same page as, is vital when looking for your perfect wedding photographer. A photographer that you feel relaxed and comfortable with, will bring the best out in you. After all, everyone wants to look and feel confident one their wedding day. Happy, open body language will shine through in your photos.
This works both ways too, as it’s just as important for the photographer as it is for you. I’m not saying you have to be the best of friends, but if you gel together, you will feel more relaxed around them and it will make a huge difference to the look, feel and integrity of your photos.
Set Up a Meeting
With the above in mind, meeting your photographer is the best way to make sure they will be a good fit for you and the style and vibe of your wedding. Once you have picked out a few photographers based on the styles you like, make an appointment to meet them. I prefer an in-person meeting but if this isn’t possible, a video chat is better than a phone call. Regardless of how you connect, this will allow you both the chance to talk properly and more importantly, to see if you get along. It will also give you the chance to ask all the questions you have. Which brings me to the next thing on my list…
Do Your Homework and Ask the Right Questions
You have found a style you like, and contacted the photographers that made it onto the short list to arrange a meeting…. What now? Well, while waiting for the day of your meeting, you should do a little more homework.
I’m not saying you should turn into a stalker, but you need to start looking into each wedding photographer and making some notes. Do a little more digging into their business and their previous work. Have a good look through the ‘About’ section on their websites, read any blogs, and go through their reviews to see what people are saying. This is generally a good indication of how other couples feel about them; if they were helpful, supportive etc. Also look through social media groups. You may not find anything specific in group chats, which is fine – as long as there aren’t posts from people who have had issues with them.
It’s also a good idea to make a physical list of questions you want to ask so you don’t forget them on the day of the meeting.
A few important questions you could ask
1.Do they have a contingency plan should anything happen to them?
If they have a network of suppliers, other photographers they could ask to step in, then you know there shouldn’t be any issues if something were to happen to them. However, if they don’t have any kind of back up, this could potentially be a huge headache for you.
2.Are they insured?
The answer to this should be a resounding YES. No excuses, no pauses, if’s buts or maybe’s. Any photographer taking wedding bookings should be insured, and some venues may not allow a photographer who isn’t
3.Do they have back up equipment?
Again, the answer should be 100% yes. Any photographer taking wedding bookings should always have backups for if something goes wrong. Whether it’s just bad luck that something breaks, equipment failure, or accidental damage, they should always have backup equipment to allow them to continue working.
4.Ask them about their experience
Keep your wedding in mind when asking them things. For example, what time of year is your wedding taking place? Most photographers have experience in all sorts of weather but an inexperienced photographer may have only captured summer weddings. If that’s the case they may not be prepared for winter weather – snow, wind, rain, darker days – and how to get the best photos for you.
Being able to organise large wedding groups is also a different skill to more intimate weddings.
5.Ask to see examples of their work
When trying to find your perfect wedding photographer, you will have looked through a lot of galleries on different platforms. But most photographers will only post the highlights of their work. Ask to see full wedding galleries rather than just the photos they have chosen to display.
Budget
I left this until further down the list on purpose. Of course, this is always going to be a factor, and we always know instinctively if something is way out of our budget. However, if there is one photographer you prefer over the other, but who costs a little bit more, it’s always worth trying to up your budget if you can. We all know weddings can be costly, but these are the memories of your wedding day in physical form. Something to keep forever. Is it really worth having your second best option to save a few hundred pounds?
Book your photographer as soon as you can
You’ve found the style you love, met all the photographers on your short list, and you’ve found your favourite. Finally, the search is over. The only thing left to do is book. My only advice here is not to wait around or you could find yourself having to start the whole process again. Wedding photographers can be booked up years in advance. Just because they’re available for your date today, it doesn’t mean they’ll still be available tomorrow. Confirm the booking as soon as you have made the decision.
And finally…
Now you’ve got your perfect wedding photographer booked, you can relax a little. Trust them; let them do what they do best, and deliver the photos you will love and cherish forever. Most importantly, enjoy every moment of your wedding as the day will be over in the blink of an eye.
Good luck to all you ‘soon to be’s’! I hope you have an amazing wedding day!
You can see more about Andy Dufton Photography here
