Your wedding day was a huge success and you have just returned from your amazing honeymoon. Now you can look forward to receiving your wedding day photos.

Your photographer will capture key moments of your big day, from exchanging wedding vows, your speeches, cake cutting and first dance. But many couples often forget that their photographer will also discreetly take pictures from parts of their day that they were unable to witness. Fun and touching moments from each other’s bridal & groom preparations, your guests mingling throughout your drinks reception and your guests reactions to your speeches and first dance.

With such a vital role, it’s therefore important that you invest time finding the wedding photographer that is perfect for your wedding day.

Budget

As with every other element of your wedding day, special care should be given to ensure you are researching photographers that are within budget.  Many photographers will offer a range of packages with varying prices, so it’s important that you are comparing like for like services in order to correctly compare photographers pricing and packages. Look at whether or not they are bringing along a second shooter, (which helps to ensure each element of your day is captured). How many hours they will be with you on your wedding day, for example will they be covering bridal/groom preparations and how long into the evening reception will they be staying. If they intend to leave earlier than you would like ask if you are able to add additional hours, and if so ask that they confirm their hourly rate. You may also like to check how they will deliver the images to you after your wedding day and whether or not you have permission to print your images.

Wedding albums are a wonderful keepsake, (I still adore mine almost 12 years on), so if an album is not included within your photographers pricing consider asking them to supply their pricing structure for the albums they can create for you.

Their style & portfolio

Each photographers style will vary considerably, it is therefore important to carefully research a number of photographers to ensure you choose a photographer whose style matches your vision & expectations. Some photographers will favour a candid and spontaneous style known as reportage, where they will discreetly mingle with your guests capturing the reactions and emotions of your special day. If you select this style of photography you can still request group shots, (which should always be discussed with your photographer prior to your wedding day). However, these will probably be kept to a minimum to allow your photographer to capture the real story of your day. Whilst other photographers may focus on a more traditional style of photography which involves lots of group shots as well as direction from your photographer to stage each shot.

Requesting to view a photographers portfolio will also provide you with a good idea of the style they favour as well as the images they are able to capture.

Are they familiar with your venue

Not essential, but it is beneficial if your photographer is familiar with your chosen venue. It means that they will know the best locations to capture your images, any secluded hidden gems for your couple shots as well as the lighting conditions within your venue. If however you favour a photographer that has not previously worked at your venue check that they are willing to spare an hour or so to carry out a site visit prior to your wedding day so they can familiarise themselves with your venue.

Engagement shoot

Again, not essential but definitely beneficial. Your photographer will be with you throughout your wedding day, so spending a few hours with them prior to the big day will not only allow you to get to know each other but it will also give you a taster of the amazing images you can expect them to capture on the big day itself as well as being a wonderful way to mark your engagement.

I hope that this post has given you a helpful insight on how to choose which wedding photographer to work with. If you require further help with choosing your wedding day suppliers or any other element of planning your wedding day then please do get in touch to discuss the planning assistance I offer.

Image Credits: Terri & Lori Fine Art Photography & Film

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