How to choose your wedding photographer

Thanks to Claire from Weddings by Claire for asking me to write this article - there are lots of articles about choosing your wedding photographer from brides, but, less from photographers, so it's great to put across the things to look for from a wedding photographers point of view.

I'll use a bulleted list as I know these are really popular :)

1.Throw away the list of questions from the bridal press :) Actually that's not quite true - throw away the stupid questions from the bridal magazines :)

It's very easy to have a very comprehensive list of questions in a magazine - it takes up a lot of space and looks good, remember though that it can cover every type of wedding and every type of photographer.

The key thing to remember is that (hopefully) your wedding photographer will have photographed quite a few weddings already - so you won't need to ask them questions like - will you photograph the rings - this will come across as patronising and won't help with the bond you should have with your photographer

2.Create a shortlist of photographers

Don't pick the first photographer you see. I'd recommend seeing at least 3 photographers so that you can compare and contrast.

Choose a photographer who shoots in your style. If you want lots of formal photographs and posed images then you're likely looking at a traditional wedding photographer. Want minimal posed/formal images and a record of the day as it happens then you'll want to seek out more reportage based photographers. There are good and bad photographers who shoot in every style. Make sure you see at least one complete wedding and album - this will set your expectations as to the consistency - anyone can fluke a handful of good portfolio images over a couple of years. You want to be looking for a proven track record of delivering the quality that you're happy with in a style that suits you.

Finding them can be a trick - ask friends family whose weddings you might have been to - or you might know have been married recently.

Personal recommendations are always the best, failing that you can always try google or wedding fairs. Either way make sure you meet the photographer who is going to be photographing your wedding. It's very important that you get one with your photographer - they're going to be around you - a lot! So you have to feel comfortable with them. A quick test is - would you invite them as a guest?

3.Don't use price as a criteria

I know that price can be important, but, remember you will only get married once and the photos are likely the only lasting record of the day, so choose accordingly. so looking at the shortlist see if you can stretch your budget by saving money elsewhere, get your friends to give you money towards the photography, anything to let you get the photography you want and deserve of your big day. Do you want to say in years to come to your children that you had a great wedding day but you can't show them any good photos of it because you ended up with a digital CD package and no album and you've lost the CD or it got scratched? If it costs you an extra £1000 what's that over 40 years of marriage? or the depreciation on a new car? I know what I'd rather do :) (of course I'll freely admit that I'm biased in this regard)

4.Don't panic

It's easy to panic when it comes to choosing your photographer, Don't.

As soon as you have a rough idea of dates of your ceremony contact your shortlisted photographers (sooner the better). Have a chat with them see if you think they'll work for you.

That's the process I'd go through to find myself a wedding photographer.

It's key to get someone who will work in the style you want for your wedding, and that you can stand to be around a lot on your wedding day. Once you've found them, relax, trust them and enjoy your wedding!

Thanks for listening and put your thoughts, comments and questions below :)

TP Photography

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