How to find your perfect wedding photographer

Capturing moments, creating memories

You’ve just got engaged and the excitement of getting married is creating a real buzz. Beginning your wedding planning journey is an adventure filled with choices that shape the essence of your day. Once you’ve decided on a location, the next step is how to find your perfect wedding photographer. One who aligns with your vision and can capture those precious moments in time as they happen. Today’s blog highlights some of the key factors to help you make that choice

North Cadbury Court Exterior

Do take time to do some research. It is such an important part of your decision-making process. You may have been recommended photographers either by the venue you’ve booked or friends. Spend time looking at their websites. Drill into each photographer’s portfolio, testimonials, blog posts and what they say about themselves. Look for authenticity, emotional connection, fun, love, laughter – a moment unposed, unstaged, real and tangible. If what you see and read doesn’t resonate with your vision and style; move on.

Use social media to help you make an informed decision​

Once you have a short-list from your initial research, pile on to their social media profiles and see if what you about a photographer’s website is replicated across their Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest accounts. Social media has revolutionised the way we connect. It’s also a treasure trove for wedding inspiration. Follow your shortlisted photographers to get a real-time feel for recent work.

I love Pinterest. It’s a brilliant visual playground for wedding planning, and it can be a fantastic tool to refine your vision. By creating vision boards that reflect your style, colour palette and mood, you can share them with a photographer during initial consultations. This is a great way to start building a relationship and helps tailor their approach to match your vision.

Building a connection with your chosen photographer is not just about their work but also about the person behind the lens. I really get to know the couples I’m photographing from the comments I receive on content I’ve posted. I always take time to respond to a comment or a question asked. This interaction is the foundation of a great collaborative relationship.

Aligning your vision and a photographer’s style

Whether you are planning a marquee in your back garden or have opted to use a beautiful wedding venue, choosing a photographer who can work with you in either is really important. Many venues have a list of recommended suppliers, but knowing they have worked at your venue can really influence your decision. They will know the set up, be able to guide you on where the best places for photographs are and be able to work with the planning team seamlessly.

Understanding how your potential photographer goes about capturing your wedding day should be one of your top questions. Do you want someone who is almost invisible, but always in the right place at the right time. There to guide and pose you to get the best of every shot. Or are you happy to have a photographer who is much more front and centre, giving direction rather than letting the story roll. Only you can decide.

Budget and next steps​

Organising your own wedding, as much as it is a lot of fun, it can be quite stressful too. Working out a budget for each element of the day can bring a few surprises with along the way. Wedding photography should be seen as one of the core investments, along with venue and flowers. Your images stay with you for ever. You want to be able to look back at them with your parents, your children and your grandchildren, reliving your day as if it was yesterday.

Not all photographers advertise their prices on their websites, don’t be afraid to ask and just because one is more expensive than another, doesn’t mean their photos are any better. This can also be opposite. Go back to your research, find out what is included in the price and what is extra as this could impact your final decision.

When it comes to choosing your wedding photographer, make sure they fit with your vision and style and you know you will have a genuine connection with. You will spend more of your wedding day with your photographer than almost anyone else during the course of the day. Their photos should totally reflect the love story that unfolds moment by moment and all those unseen moments that make your day even more special than you remember.

Similar Posts