Choosing your wedding photographer is a pretty big deal. They're going to be there for some of the most important, emotional and chaotic moments of your wedding day and you'll be looking at those photographs for years to come. So, how do you choose the right one?
Here are 10 things I'd recommend looking for when choosing your wedding photographer.
1. A style you genuinely love
First things first: look at their portfolio. Do you love the way their photographs look and feel? Maybe you love bright, colourful images. Maybe you prefer something more editorial. Or perhaps, you love natural, relaxed photographs that capture the day as it actually happened. There's no right or wrong style and every photograph offers up something different.
2. Someone who makes you feel comfortable
This is a great one if you're not naturally comfortable in front of a camera. A good photographer should be able to guide you without making you feel like you're performing. You shouldn't need to know how to pose. You shouldn't have to suddenly become a model. You should be able to relax and be yourselves.
3. Make sure they understand your wedding
Every wedding is different. Maybe you're having a tiny ceremony followed by a meal. Maybe you've got 150 guests and a huge party planned. Your photographer should be interested in your plans, not just trying to squeeze you into the same formula as every other wedding.
4. Check what's actually included
Before booking, make sure you understand what you're getting.Things worth considering include: Do you need a ceremony service or full day coverage? How many photographers? How many edited photographs?How will you receive your images?Is an online gallery included? Are prints or albums available?Is travel included? What happens if you need extra hours? Knowing this upfront means there shouldn't be any nasty surprises later.
5. Don't choose based purely on price
Of course, your budget matters. But try not to make price the only deciding factor. You're not just paying for someone to turn up with a camera. You're paying for their time, experience, equipment, editing, preparation and ability to handle everything that happens during a wedding day.
6. Ask how they approach the wedding day
Are they going to direct every moment? Will they mostly stay in the background? Do they focus on candid photographs? How much time do they recommend for couple portraits? There isn't one correct approach, but their way of working should suit you. If you hate posing, you probably don't want someone who spends half your wedding arranging you into elaborate poses.
7. Trust your gut
Once you've looked at portfolios, read testimonials and compared packages, there's one thing left: Can you imagine having them around on your wedding day? Your photographer is going to see some pretty emotional, chaotic and unfiltered moments. You want someone you trust to capture them.
Choosing your wedding photographer
Ultimately, choosing a wedding photographer isn't just about finding someone who takes beautiful photographs. It's about finding someone whose style, personality and approach fit you. Your wedding day isn't a photoshoot. It's a day you're going to spend with the people you love. Your photographer should help you enjoy it, not make you spend the whole day worrying about photographs.
