There are many decisions you have to make in preparation for your wedding, and one that can’t be overlooked is finding the right wedding photographer to document your special day. I have put together some tips on how to choose a wedding photographer so that you have the best possible experience and get beautiful photos to treasure.
1. What style of photography do you want?
The first decision you need to make when choosing a wedding photographer is what style of photography you want for your wedding. The main styles of photography are traditional (posed), contemporary/fine art (a more artistic and slightly more relaxed style), and reportage (a documentary/journalistic style). When you have decided what type of photography is right for you, you will need to find a photographer who has experience shooting that style and whose images resonate with you.
2. What is your budget?
Weddings cost a lot of money, meaning you need to set a budget and determine how much of that allocation you are willing to put aside for photography. While you don’t want to use up your entire budget on your photography, you also don’t want to scrimp as your photographs will be the main physical mementoes from your special day. If you decide to blow them up and showcase them on your walls, for example, they will need to be of high enough quality. Printing your photos is the best way to enjoy them in the years after your wedding.
3. Do they have good reviews and testimonials?
Reviews and testimonials are one of the best ways to determine a wedding photographer’s credentials and whether they are the right fit for you. Testimonials should give you plenty of information about the quality of the photos, value for money, and how the photographer conducted themselves during the day, as well as how quick and easy it was to obtain the photos after the wedding. Most photographers will feature testimonials on their website so you can see what their clients thought!
4. Does their portfolio suit your vision?
While reviews and testimonials will give you a good idea of a wedding photographer’s customer satisfaction, the best way to evaluate their work is to see it yourself! Most wedding photographers will have a portfolio of their work that you can browse so that you can see if you like their style.
5. Do they have experience photographing the type of wedding you want?
As well as choosing a photographer who has experience shooting weddings in the style you want, you should also look for someone who has experience shooting the type of wedding you are going to have. It’s definitely worth asking if you can see a full album from a wedding that closely matches the type of wedding you want to have.
For example, if you are having a destination wedding or an outdoor ceremony, you should ask your photographer how they might deal with the challenges that come with them, such as lighting issues and dealing with unfavourable weather.
6. How well do you click with the prospective photographer?
One final thing to consider before you choose a wedding photographer is how well you click with them when you meet them. Meeting any prospective wedding photographers before you hire them is good practice as it lets you run all your ideas and requirements by them and also gives you an idea of the kind of person they are and whether they are a good fit for you. Above all, you need to choose someone who you are comfortable with having a big responsibility on your special day!
That concludes our guide on how to choose a wedding photographer. Your gut feeling counts for a lot when choosing a photographer, but it is important to consider the above points to ensure you have the best possible experience with your photographer so that you can enjoy your wedding day with peace of mind.
If you are looking for an experienced reportage wedding photographer, you are welcome to view my portfolio.
