What should you look for in a wedding photographer?

There are lots of things to consider when you choose your wedding photographer, and since I sometimes have to turn down wedding work because I’m already booked, I thought this handy guide might be useful!

You should put as much time and thought into your photographer choice as you do your flowers, dresses and music, because, at the end of the day, when the hangovers have kicked in and the flowers are wilting, the only tangible part left of your amazing day will be the photos! So make sure they fill your cup of joy!

This list is my top 5 things to look for in your photographer, and there’s a very important ‘don’t’ in at the end for good measure!

1) Make sure their work excites you!

When you’re checking out photographers, visit their website and social channels for a good nosey! If you don’t get a wee buzz of excitement in your belly, they’re maybe not for you!

Do a deep-dive into their work, don’t base your decision on 1 or 2 photos from a wedding on Instagram! Maybe they have more on their website from that one wedding, go full blown detective and see if they’ve really told a story with what they’ve captured, rather than one or 2 wow shots!

Do the moments they manage to capture really make you go ‘oooooooh’ with lovehearts coming out of your eyes?! Does their editing style ‘talk’ to you?! Do you want to keep staring at those photos even though it’s a random couple and you know that’s a little creepy?! If the answers above are YES, then talk to that photographer! 

This leads very swiftly onto my next little nugget of advice….

2) You should ‘click’ with your wedding photographer!

Your photographer will be like a wedding guest, but one that stalks you and is there constantly! You MUST get on with them! If you don’t click, it’s gonna be a little awkward throughout your day! You don’t need to be BFF’s by the end of the day, but you should like them enough to have them around as a big part of your day! If you can, organise a coffee before you sign on the dotted line, or a video/phone call if that’s not possible! This isn’t essential, but if you’re unsure, ask to meet them, if they’re like me, they’ll be delighted to do so!

A good photographer will be stealthlike when need be, but aside from the ceremony, they will be actively capturing you, and not like a wildlife photographer who’s hiding in the bushes! They should make you feel at ease and comfortable, because let’s face it, no one really enjoys having their photo taken! Equally as important, you want to know that they are going to be a welcome guest amongst your family & friends.

3) There should be no surprises!

Your photographer should be open & honest about their prices from the get-go. You should know exactly what you’re getting, how much time they will be there for, and what products (if any) are included in their costs. If you want an album and it’s not included, ask them for difinitive costs before you book.

Also make sure you know the payment terms and how long you will be expected to wait for your images. I have heard many a horror story about people waiting months for their images, so make sure they manage your expectations!

4) Communication is key!

Your photographer’s communication and customer service should be gold standard! You should feel like your wedding is really important to them, regardless of it’s size! If you have to chase them at any point in the beginning, it might be a sign of things to come, and with all the stress of organising a wedding, this is the last thing you’ll need!

You may have booked them over a year in advance, but there should be clear communication about when they will be in touch to meet up with you to discuss the day. This should happen a 6-8 weeks before the big day, when the finer details have been ironed out. Your photographer should know exactly what is happening on the day, so they can always be in the right place at the right time!

No photographer should turn up on your wedding day and wing it, they will want to know exactly what’s happening, when they can take you away for couples shots and what you really want from your wedding photos (see point 5 below!)

5) They should really listen to you.

Your photographer should ask questions, lots of questions! Usually they will send out some sort of questionnaire to get a jist of anything, or anyone, you want photographed. Your wedding day is so busy, you won’t have the time, or the headspace to remind your photographer about a speciific shot, so make sure everything you want can be covered! Equally, you might not think to have your dress photographed, or your fabulous shoes, but this is something that your photographer should automatically capture!

If the cake is really important to you, or you have a special item that you’d like captured, let your photographer know, they will have a list that they’ll work through on the day! You might forget about it in all the excitement, but your photographer shouldn’t!

In that first meeting, make sure you feel like you’re being listened to – it’s YOUR big day, and what’s important to you matters!

Finally….you will have a budget in mind, everybody does, but please don’t pick someone based on cost alone. Consider all the points above, and choose your photographer wisely! Happy Wedding Organising!

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