how to choose your perfect wedding photographer?
I’m a documentary wedding photographer and I work mostly in London and north Kent. With this post, I’d like to give some tips to newly engaged couples to help them choose their perfect wedding photographer.
Unlike the work of other wedding suppliers (tasting the food at the venue, the trial with your make-up artist or your hairdresser etc.), it is hard to predict how your photos are going to turn out as the event is still to take place.
But a careful research can surely help you in finding the right photographer for you
Style
Before you begin your search, have a look on Instagram or Pinterest and understand what you like. Is it a classic, more staged, elegant and formal portraits that you are more inclined to, or you are more attracted by a journalistic/documentary approach? Do you like a dramatic feel or you are looking for images transmitting fun or real emotions? Do you like more black and white or colour? This could be a starting point for you to narrow your search and find the perfect photography that matches your taste.
Reviews
Once you have in mind a few photographers, visit their website so to have a feel of their personality. The photographer will choose the photos that normally match with what he/she likes so to understand the type of person she/he is. Look for reviews on Google and check their Facebook and IG account. Search for information until you are comfortable with it.
Contact
The next step is getting in touch with the photographers you like and ask if they have available your wedding date. If they are already booked, I strongly suggest asking If they can suggest any other good photographer. There is a good network among photographers so asking for a recommendation could help.
Once you have checked the date, set an appointment (normally the photographer will suggest that)
Once you see your photographer, ask to see a full gallery of a past wedding. We show the best of the best in our website and in social Media so, I think it is important that you have a feel of what a full gallery looks like. You will be reassured.
Be prepared to talk about everything concerning your wedding. The relationship with your photographer will be an ongoing one as you will be in touch a few times before the big day. You will discuss the venue, the schedule of your day, where the ceremony will take place, the preparation times, the details and much more.
At last, ask how many images you will be delivered. Post-production takes normally between 4 and 8 weeks and the images should be delivered fully edited and in JPEG high resolution, so at least 3 MB per file. The digital images should be delivered to you with a full licence to print. The copyright remains the photographers.
Super-important: The relationship with your photographer
Bonding
I can’t stress enough the importance of bonding with your photographer. Does he/she put you at ease? Does he/she irritate you? You have to feel good with your photographer and feel safe. Trust him. You want someone discrete, who blends well with your guests and is unobtrusive. He should ask a lot of questions and be a good listener.
I hope I have given you some good tips before starting your search. Good luck. If you like a documentary/reportage style, here some examples of my work and if you like it then please give me a call and let’s meet up soon! This is my website
