Your wedding day is one of the most important of your life, one that you will both remember forever, so capturing those images and memories on camera is crucial to get right but how do you choose the best wedding photographer?
Recommendations from friends and family are a great way to start, and with a world of photographers accessible on the internet you can do plenty of research. Once you have a shortlist of photographers make contact and ask for testimonials that you can actually follow up with previous clients so that you know just how good they are.
Arrange a meeting with the photographer and ask to see the complete set of photographs from several weddings. This is important because it is all too easy for them to show you a selection of their best photographs, so by viewing all of these sets you get a better idea about how good they actually are and an overall feel of their style of photography. Have a think about the style that you want, and how the photographers suit that style. You might prefer more formal traditional photos, reportage, black and white or a mix of styles so discuss your requirements in full.
Consider arranging a session with the photographer to have some engagement pictures taken, not only to mark the occasion but also so that you and the photographer can get more of an idea about what you want from them. Some photographers actually include a studio session in their packages.
Arrange a visit to view the venue together, so that the photographer can get an idea of the setting and to ensure that they know where it is! Also ask them what contingency plans they have for problems such as equipment malfunction (and check that the venue can offer a suitable indoor area for photographs in case of rain). If you have particular moments, pictures or group shots that you want to capture then provide the photographer with a list to avoid disappointment. Make sure that they sign a contract or an agreement that you are both happy with, which will provide protection for you (and them).
It's an important decision on who to select to record your special day with images that can last your lifetime and beyond so take all of these points on board to help find and choose a photographer to capture your magical moments, or consider booking a wedding planner who has access to tried and trusted suppliers of all kinds. Celeste_Thompson
Recommendations from friends and family are a great way to start, and with a world of photographers accessible on the internet you can do plenty of research. Once you have a shortlist of photographers make contact and ask for testimonials that you can actually follow up with previous clients so that you know just how good they are.
Arrange a meeting with the photographer and ask to see the complete set of photographs from several weddings. This is important because it is all too easy for them to show you a selection of their best photographs, so by viewing all of these sets you get a better idea about how good they actually are and an overall feel of their style of photography. Have a think about the style that you want, and how the photographers suit that style. You might prefer more formal traditional photos, reportage, black and white or a mix of styles so discuss your requirements in full.
Consider arranging a session with the photographer to have some engagement pictures taken, not only to mark the occasion but also so that you and the photographer can get more of an idea about what you want from them. Some photographers actually include a studio session in their packages.
Arrange a visit to view the venue together, so that the photographer can get an idea of the setting and to ensure that they know where it is! Also ask them what contingency plans they have for problems such as equipment malfunction (and check that the venue can offer a suitable indoor area for photographs in case of rain). If you have particular moments, pictures or group shots that you want to capture then provide the photographer with a list to avoid disappointment. Make sure that they sign a contract or an agreement that you are both happy with, which will provide protection for you (and them).
It's an important decision on who to select to record your special day with images that can last your lifetime and beyond so take all of these points on board to help find and choose a photographer to capture your magical moments, or consider booking a wedding planner who has access to tried and trusted suppliers of all kinds. Celeste_Thompson
