HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
In a hurry? Skip to the quick version
Choosing a wedding photographer can feel surprisingly stressful. Your photos are one of the few things you'll still have long after the day is over, so it matters, and there are a lot of photographers out there. It's hard to know how to compare them or what you should be looking for.
I'm a wedding photographer myself, so I could just tell you to book me. But I think it's more useful to be honest about how to make this decision well, whether you end up choosing me or not. Here's what actually matters, and what people tend to worry about more than they need to.
Start with the style you love
This is the most important thing, and it's where I'd start. Look at lots of photographers' work and notice what you're drawn to.
Wedding photography comes in different styles. Some photographers shoot in a bright, light, airy way. Some are darker and moodier. Some are very traditional and posed, with lots of formal group shots and classic setups. Others are documentary, capturing the day as it happens with minimal direction. Some sit somewhere in between.
None of these is better than the others, they're just different, and different couples want different things. The key is to work out what you're drawn to, and then find photographers whose work consistently looks like that.
One really important point: when you look at a photographer's work, you're looking at how they'll photograph and edit your day too. Photographers have a style and they tend to stick to it. So if you love bright, natural, relaxed images, choose someone whose whole portfolio looks bright, natural and relaxed. Don't book someone whose style is very different and hope they'll shoot yours differently. What you see is what you'll get, and that's exactly as it should be.
Make sure you actually like them
This one is underrated. Your wedding photographer will be with you for most of your wedding day - often more than almost anyone else. They'll be there in the morning while you're getting ready, beside you during the most emotional moments, and with you through the celebrations. If you don't feel comfortable with them, that discomfort will show in your photos.
So what’s the communication like, notice how you feel. Do they put you at ease? Do they listen to what you want? Do they feel like someone you'd be happy to have around on a day when you want to feel relaxed and yourself? The technical skill matters, but the personality fit matters just as much. Some of the best wedding photos come down to a couple feeling completely comfortable with the person holding the camera.
You can get a sense of how I work from my guide to what to expect on the day.
Be realistic about budget
Wedding photography is a significant cost, and it's worth thinking about what you can comfortably afford early on.
Here's an honest piece of advice: if your budget is tight, it's usually better to book a photographer whose work you love for fewer hours than to book someone whose work is just okay for the whole day. A shorter day with a photographer you trust will give you better photos than a full day with someone you settled for.
It's also worth being a little cautious about going with a friend who has a nice camera, unless they're genuinely experienced with weddings. Weddings are unpredictable, fast-moving, and you only get one chance. I've been asked more than once to help make an album from a wedding a friend photographed, and the photos just weren't there. That's a hard thing to discover afterwards. If photography matters to you, it's worth investing in someone who does it properly.
The practical things
Beyond style and personality, there are a few sensible things to ask about:
Experience - how many weddings have they photographed? A photographer who's shot lots of weddings has learned to handle whatever the day throws at them - bad weather, tight timings, tricky light, unexpected moments.
Insurance - established photographers should carry professional insurance, and many venues require it.
Turnaround time - how long until you get your photos? This varies, but you want a clear answer rather than a vague one. You don’t want to be waiting many months to see your wedding.
What's included - make sure you understand exactly what you're getting. How many images? Digital files, prints, an album? Is travel included? Are there any extra costs? A good photographer will set all of this out clearly in a written agreement or contract, so you both know exactly what's been agreed.
Trust your gut
Once you've looked at the work, and checked the practical things, it often comes down to a feeling. You'll usually find that one or two photographers stand out - their work speaks to you and you feel comfortable with them.
That feeling matters. This is someone you're inviting into one of the most important days of your life. Choosing someone whose photos you love and who you can communicate with is far more important than ticking every box on a checklist.
The quick version
Start with style. Look at lots of work and notice what you're drawn to. What you see is what you'll get on your day.
Feeling comfortable with your photographer shows in your photos.
Be realistic about budget. A photographer you love for fewer hours beats one you settled for all day.
Check the practical things: experience, insurance, turnaround time, and exactly what's included.
In the end, trust your gut. The right photographer is one whose work you love and whose company you enjoy.
If you'd like to see whether my style and approach are right for your wedding, have a look at my wedding page or send me a message. I'm always happy to help, even if it's just pointing you in the right direction.