Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer? - A guide by a Bristol Wedding Photographer
Let's not beat around the bush, wedding photography is a saturated market. There are 50,000 registered wedding photographers in the UK, add in amateurs and that number swells up to hundreds of thousands. You are spoilt for choice, so how do you choose the wedding photographer that's right for you?
It can be a minefield, but I always advise people to ask themselves the following THREE fundamental questions while choosing a photographer for their wedding:
ONE: Do you love (and I mean really really love) the style of their PICTURES?
Every wedding photographer has a different style and that's awesome, variety is the spice of life after all. This means that there is something to suit everyone's taste.
Really trawl your prospective photographers' website and social media platforms looking at as many of their photos as you can. Most wedding photographers have the 'big WOW' photos on display, and for good reason, they're gorgeous, and most likely what you will be hanging on the wall and looking at for years to come. But a wedding day is a long and moves very fast. As a result, not every photo will be taken as the sun is setting, with a pre-setup lighting. Make sure to look at photos taken throughout the whole day, and see some complete wedding albums.
TWO: Do you like their PERSONALITY?
For me personally, this is probably the most important question, which is strange considering that it doesn't have to do with actual photography.
At your wedding you will spend a lot of time with your photographer/s and this is why it is so so so so so sooooo important that you feel comfortable in their company. It's the most special day of your life and you really don't want to spend 12 hours of it with someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
THREE: Is the PRICE within your budget?
Weddings are expensive and your wedding photography can be one of the larger ticket items. Prices can vary from hundred of pounds right up to thousands, it is important to not stretch yourself too thin.
I recommend prioritising what is most important to you on your wedding and try to cut costs on things lower down the list. Use these savings to stretch your budget a little further on the things that really matter to you.
Summary
If the answer to anyone of these questions is not a resounding YES! then you still haven't found the right wedding photographer. Keep on looking.
I hope that you have found this article useful, if you have any questions, or would like to talk to us about photographing your wedding please get in touch.