How To Choose a Wedding Photographer
You will cherish your wedding photographs forever, long after the flowers have wilted and the decorations have been put away. Your photo’s will provide a lasting memory of every detail from your special day, allowing you to relive the magic over and over again.
Because you will treasure these memories forever, it is crucial to select a photographer who can capture the joy and intimacy of your special day in the style that you want.
It is key to find a photographer who is passionate, and understands the importance of your wedding photos. Someone who truly cares about capturing the sentiment, and tells the story of your special day in the images they create. A professional photographer will use their experience to take stunning photos that will stand the test of time.
The following article is a “How To” guide, explaining the key factors to consider when selecting a wedding photographer and provides some detailed information on things to look out for as you set out on this journey.
Are we a good match?
The following article is a “How To” guide, explaining the key factors to consider when selecting a wedding photographer and provides some detailed information on things to look out for as you set out on this journey.
Photography style:
Your wedding photographer’s approach to how they will shoot the wedding, is one of the most important factors in your selection criteria. Photographers adopt unique styles, and employ different editing techniques, to create artistic images.
When considering this, it is worthwhile investing some time reviewing the various styles, to see what you like. The following list details some of these styles and can be used as a reference when browsing the web to see what captures your imagination.
- “Fine Art Photography” is an approach that aims to produce works of art that are aesthetically pleasing to the viewer. Pictures will have a very stylised look, giving them an air of sophistication and refinement.
- “Natural or Classic Wedding Photography” focuses on ensuring photographs look as natural as possible, and have a traditional, timeless quality. The photographer will typically shoot with natural light and avoid heavy editing to capture the overalls essence.
- “Bright and Airy Photography” provides a lighter and more delicate feel. These photographs are frequently taken against a white or pastel background, and the colours are generally subdued.
- “Photojournalistic style” aims to tell a story through a series of photos. There is not a lot of posing or staging. Instead, the focus is on catching genuine expressions and reactions in the moment. The photographer will use prompts rather than postures to capture candid shots and the intimacy of the event.
- “Adventure Wedding Photography” employs techniques to capture subjects engaging in exciting activities in an outdoor setting. The beauty and grandeur of the countryside or mountains are often a big feature. As a Lake District Wedding Photographer, I am very lucky to have some of the most beautiful locations in the UK on my doorstep.
- “Moody Style Wedding Photography” Photographs tend to have a dark, gloomy colour palette, with dramatic lighting and stark contrasts. Images in this style tend to be more mysterious and the photos typically have high contrast and dark or muted tones.
- “Editorial Photography” is commonplace in fashion photography to produce images that evoke a certain feeling or atmosphere. Photographs are often highly stylized and posed imaginatively.
Pricing
Photographers may charge by the hour and provide only digital images on a USB stick or online gallery, and then add extra for any physical prints or albums, while others include these as part of their overall packages.
More often than not, it will be worth paying extra to ensure you get an album included.
Some photographers also offer family albums in their packages. This may be a great choice if family members would like to receive a copy of the wedding memories too. Photographers should publish a price list that specifies the various packages they provide, so ensure that you fully grasp the scope of what is covered, and that the pricing information is clear. Also consider whether a second shooter will be required, as this will usually incur additional costs.
Importantly, try to resist any temptation to simply select the cheapest option, as it is often the case, that you will only get what you pay for.
Consider Scale and Size:
Knowing how many people your wedding photographer can comfortably capture is crucial if you expect to invite many guests. Instead of a single photographer, you could hire a small company of maybe three to five photographers instead to manage your big day, this will help ensure that nothing important is missed and all the important elements of the wedding are captured.
Consider the location
You should find out where your potential photographer is based and if they can (or are even willing to) come your location. Avoid getting your expectations up if you happen to be from London, and your venue is elsewhere. Instead, seek out a photographer from that that region. This information should be readily available on their website. Determine if the photographer has ever worked at your location and/or venue, and if so, ask for examples of their work from those locations.
Review Their Past Work:
Once you’ve found a handful of photographers who seem like a good fit it’s time to start looking at their portfolios. You must be wary of any photographer who doesn’t have one. Examine their photo gallery, the editing, and the final product thoroughly, and then choose the ones that stand out to you.
At this stage it would also be a good opportunity to look at the album/s being provided in the various packages, to satisfy yourself of the overall product, and print quality
When reviewing your photographers gallery on their website, you need to consider the styles discussed in the previous section, to see if they resonate with you, and provide what you want for your special day. You may wish to have your wedding photoshoot in natural lighting instead, so its important to find a wedding photographer whose aesthetic vibes harmonise with your dreams.
Check Reviews and Ratings:
Looking at reviews on social media, website reviews, and Google My Business star ratings, that will help you narrow your options further. Read the reviews and have an open discussion with yourself about your wedding day priorities.
When deciding, remember that a photographer is more than just a camera – they’re also a living, breathing human being. Look for someone who shares your values and meets your expectations,. There is bound to be some nervousness on both bride and groom’s part on the morning of the wedding, so having a professional photographer who can support and guide you, can help alleviate some of the pressure.
You can access web resources such as Hitched a web service which lists all the best reviewed photographers in your region.
Have a consultation / interview:
A photographer’s sample portfolio is something they would typically provide you access to via an email link before you ever meet with them in person. Ensure the collection features recent weddings the photographer has shot from beginning to end rather than just a “best of” highlight reel compiled from dozens of different weddings. You will get a better sense of the photographer’s skill this way.
During the initial discussion / consultation with your photographer, discuss costs and their availability for your day. Don’t forget to provide the following information about the wedding:
- Time and date
- Budget
- Attendee Count
- Duration – i.e. Full Day /Ceremony Only
At James Gray Photography, I offer a number of digital and album packages to cover most requirements and budgets.
Discuss Wedding Venue and Lighting Issues:
If the photographer knows the venue, they may know the optimal place to take detailed photos and how many hours they will need to capture the perfect moments. One major benefit of hiring a wedding photographer from the local area is that they will likely be familiar with many local hotels, churches, and other event spaces.
On the other hand, someone traveling a greater distance may need to double-check their lighting, angles, and placement on the day to get the perfect “walk down the aisle” shot.
At James Gray Photography. I cover most areas in and around Cumbria, The Lake District & South-West Scotland. I know many of, and am very lucky to shoot at some of the Most popular venues
The quality of the light is the single most important factor in any photograph. Cloudy weather is more typical in the autumn and winter, so a wedding at those times will appear differently to those taken in the spring or summer months. You and your photographer should discuss the amount, source, and timing of light at your wedding venue, considering whether it will be a bright outdoor setting or a dim inside one.
Check the finer details:
Here are some questions that can help you get to know your photographer:
- How do you normally shoot a wedding?
- Do you prefer to hang back and observe, or do you actively engage in posing individuals and staging moments?
- Do you take mostly group, posed, or direct couples photographs?
- Have you ever shot a wedding here at our venue? If not, could a pre-shoot visit be arranged (see below)?
- What sort of pricing tiers do you provide?
- When do I have to start making payments?
- What information do you require from us to fully enjoy our wedding?
- May I contact some of your previous customers?
- Can I send you a list of specific shots I want you to take?
- How long do you plan to stay that day?
- Can we negotiate an hourly rate or pay an extra fee if we need you to stay later than expected?
- Can you provide a second photographer so we can document each other getting ready?
- Can I get a first look at the photos?
- Do you want us to buy you food?
- How much of my trip will be spent on transportation?
- How do you dress for a wedding?
- What happens if we/you need to cancel?
Discuss opportunity of a Pre-Wedding or Engagement Shoot?
An engagement or pre-wedding shoot is the perfect opportunity to get to know each other, test the creative waters, and get a feel for the photographer’s aesthetic. A pre-wedding photo shoot is a wonderful way for couples who aren’t used to having their picture taken to relax and have fun with it. People feel more comfortable in front of the camera on their wedding day after having had an engagement session and seeing proof that they look great in the photographs. This makes the photographer feel more like a friend, and helps them support you throughout the whole of the wedding day..
Discuss Post-Wedding Timescale:
The post-wedding timescale for receiving your wedding photos can take several weeks or even months, so it is important to manage your expectations accordingly. The photographer is capturing many high-resolution images during the event and it is understandable to want to see these quickly, but it is important to remember that the editing process itself takes time.
Based on industry standards, it is typical for photographers to dedicate over 40 hours to editing a wedding shoot. As a result, it is reasonable to anticipate a waiting period of six to eight weeks before receiving the final album that captures cherished moments from the special day. This period may also be extended further during the peak wedding season.
Additionally, if the photographer utilised both traditional film and modern digital methods, the waiting period may be prolonged further, so seek their anticipated turnaround time for albums and digital downloads based on their experience from previous wedding seasons.
Conclusion:
That is it – you’ve arrived! The planning has finished, you’re here, and it’s time to say “I do,” no matter the weather or the minor mishaps that may occur.
Relax and take the time now to enjoy the day as much as possible, knowing that you and your partner are the centre of attention and that you will capture these memories forever with the help of your own wedding photographer.
If you are looking for a wedding photographer that offers more in Cumbria, The Lake District, or South-west Scotland James Gray Photography can capture your very own personal love story in a unique way, so that these moments can be relived again and again, for the rest of your life.
