Choosing the right wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will have to make in the run up to your big day. Your wedding day itself will go by in a flash and your wedding photographs will be your only real tangible memories from one of the most special days of your life. Use these 10 top tips, provided by Madeleine Andrews from Lisa Gill Photography, to ensure you choose your perfect wedding photographer.
10 Top Tips on Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
1. How many weddings have they done?
This is important as one sign of a good photographer is popularity and success, and doing a certain amount of weddings will also give the photographers more experience. But be careful, because if they are shooting weddings left, right and centre they probably won’t be able to give you the time and attention you need. Ideally, you want a talented photographer who will really take the time to get to know you and your fiancé and put 100% effort into photographing your big day. Another thing to take into consideration is that photographers who shoot a lot of weddings often outsource their photograph processing.
2. How long have they been established?
This, coupled with how many weddings the photographer has done, will give you a good idea of how much experience they will have.
3. Do they have testimonials?
When searching for your perfect wedding photographer it is important to ask any potentials if they have any testimonials from previous clients. The feedback in these testimonials can give you an insight on what the photographer will be like to work with as well as how happy the clients have been with the photographs. It is also a good idea to speak to some recent brides that the photographer has worked with, if you can.
4. Have they worked with your venue or a similar venue?
While it is not a necessity that your photographer has worked at your venue, it can often be an added bonus as it ensures that they have had previous experience there and will know the best places to take certain shots.
5. Sample Albums
Have a look through their sample albums and see if their photography style is what you are interested in for your big day. Sample albums will often have a wider range of photographs from each wedding then the galleries on their website and can give you a better feel of what the photographer’s work is like. When looking at a sample album, make sure they can show you a complete wedding, not just the few best shots they have ever taken as these could be done on training courses and not really reflect what you will get when they are going solo all day at your wedding.
6. Equipment
Even if you don’t know your wide angle from your zoom it is important to ask about equipment. Especially if you are having in an outdoor wedding you will want to ensure your photographer’s equipment will capture you and your surroundings beautifully. Does the photographer have the right equipment to still get beautiful photographs on a grey cloudy day and even in the rain? If the photographer can only shoot in natural light this may rule out many different shots, depending on the time and date of your wedding as well as weather.
7. Second Shooter?
How many photographers will be shooting your big day? Especially during the wedding ceremony, it can be useful to have two photographers to ensure that these precious moments are captured at more than one angle and that you have a good variety of shots. Second shooters also allow bride and groom ‘getting ready’ shots if you are getting ready miles apart. If they are offering two photographers, ask to meet both of them; it is usually preferable for your photographer not to outsource its second shooter.
8. Team
Your photographer and their team is going to be everywhere you are on your big day and it is so important that you get along and enjoy working together. A photographer that can make you feel relaxed and happy will get the best out of you, and will be the one to get the best photographs of you too. Having a photographer who is a real pleasure to work with, and who you will enjoy having at your wedding, really will make such a difference.
9. Are they calm and confident?
Are they going to stay calm through the pressure of capturing your big day? If something goes wrong will they have the coping mechanisms to deal with it, the back up plan? Will they have the flexibility to change and not panic? Will they be assertive enough to get the attention of your 200 guests and get them in position without taking forever or annoying them? Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and definitely don’t want to waste time worrying about your photographer.
10. Gut Feeling
Usually your gut feeling is right and you just need to go with it!
Are you looking for a wedding photographer? We have a whole listing in our directory and there are hundreds of brides and brides-to-be in the Confetti forums who will offer wonderful help and advice?
Also, head on over to the Confetti shop for some great items and accessories–including our very own disposable cameras!
Above, Confetti’s disposable cameras. Clockwise from the top-left: Vintage Design | Gold and Ivory Gradiant Twilight | Hollywood Design | Butterfly Garden Ivory and Gold
