Choosing a wedding photographer

So much time and effort go into planning a wedding and for many it’s the biggest day of their lives. The day will go by so fast you can’t rely on memory, therefore you really must have a photographic or video record of the day.

There are many wedding photographers around, so how do you know which one to choose? Our guide will help you choose the right wedding photographer to best capture your memorable day. Photographers who are members of the guild are established professionals who know what they are doing.

Finding a wedding photographer

Some wedding photographers work from a studio where they do lots of different kinds of photography. Others work from home and specialise in wedding photography.  

One good way to find good wedding photographers is through recommendations from friends. Ask around anyone you know and trust who has recently been married and ask them about their wedding photographer. Even if they can’t recommend a good wedding photographer they might be able to alert you to any potential problems or pitfalls with choosing your wedding photographer.

Some wedding photographers are members of The Guild of Wedding Photographers UK. Members have been vetted by the Association, and you can see at a glance their level of qualification and experience as a wedding photographer.

Some wedding photographers advertise. Look in wedding magazines and local papers. You can also search for wedding photographers in the Yellow Pages.

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Sometimes a family member or friend will offer to be your wedding photographer. This can save a lot of money, but if they’re not a skilled wedding photographer it could be a false economy. Have they ever photographed a wedding before? Wedding photography is a demanding job. Have a look at their previous photos and perhaps ask them to take a few test shots to see how they look.

Researching wedding photographers

Once you have set up some photographers to go and see there are a few important things to ask and look out for.

• Ask to look at the wedding photographer’s portfolio.
• Ask to see a range of wedding photos and preferably photographs from a recent wedding.
• Ask who will be the actual wedding photographer on your wedding day. If it won’t be the person you have initially met, ask to also see the portfolio of the wedding photographer who will document your day.
• Ask the wedding photographer about any professional qualifications they have and membership of any professional bodies.

Look for a good rapport with your wedding photographer. Your wedding photographer will need to be able to make you and your guests feel comfortable in front of the camera so this is important.

Often a professional wedding photographer will agree to take a few test shots to give you an idea of what you can expect and a taste of being in front of the camera.

Budgeting for a wedding photographer

The cost of a wedding photographer varies greatly, depending on the package you want, how long you would like them to be at your wedding, and the amount of experience that they have. The more experience a wedding photographer has, generally the more they will charge.

In order to be able to compare quotes from wedding photographers, you will need to have a good idea of what you want in terms of your wedding photography. Think about the style of the shots you would like the wedding photographer to take. Do you want modern or classic? Colour or black and white, or a mixture? Consider how many photographs you would like them to take and how many you would like to receive in the final album. They should certainly take more than you finally receive so that the very best shots can be chosen.

Ask the wedding photographer about any hidden extra costs to make sure you are keeping within your budget.

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