Choosing the right Wedding photographer

For this weeks blog I asked wedding planner Libby from EA Weddings to tell you all about finding that perfect wedding photographer!

Finding the right photographer

Over the last ten years, it has been my absolute pleasure to help organise Weddings for hundreds of lovely couples. Whether you’re planning an intimate day with your closest friends and family at the Town Hall, or a lavish party with an extensive guest list, it is important to choose the right photographer for you to ensure you have only the best memories of your special day. The best photographers that I have worked with over the years have always blended seamlessly into the Wedding day. They are there to capture those all-important moments, but never take over or dictate the timings of the day.

Do your research!

Firstly, it’s important to do your research. The internet is a great place to start. Check prospective Wedding photographers websites, social media pages, take a look at their photo galleries and read client recommendations and reviews. Your venue may also provide a list of recommended suppliers for you on request. This often works well, as the photographer will often have extensive knowledge of your venue, and will have a great relationship with the team there too. It is a great idea to make a shortlist of potential photographers that you’d like to consider for your big day. A great place to start is to check if they have your Wedding date available! Good photographers can often be booked several years in advance. It is also important in the early stages to consider your Wedding budget – a good Wedding photographer should have simple and clear pricing, and won’t take offence at any questions that you may have regards this.

The right rapport

In my experience, a good Wedding photographer will always be happy to have an informal chat with you before you make any sort of commitment, and this is a great way to see if you have a good rapport with them. You should feel at ease, and be able to envisage them being there on the most important day of your life! If you are able to, try and set up a meeting with them (in person or online)– they should be able to discuss ideas with you, show you examples of their work, and discuss the formalities such as their booking process, payment schedule, and any other important information such as potential travel costs to your venue.

Style and taste

It is important that the Wedding photographer you choose, aligns with your personal style and taste as a couple. Take some time to decide how you imagine your Wedding photos to look and feel – do you like the idea of those formal shots with both sides of the family? Or would you prefer a more natural style, with images captured from afar? Make sure your Wedding photographer knows the type of shots you are looking for – but remember, they are the experts! Don’t be put off if they suggest something you’d perhaps not even thought of – it just might end up being your favourite photo of them all! It is important to capture all aspects of the day, so discuss timings – some of the most beautiful shots are of the couple at home before the ceremony, getting ready for the big day! Your photographer may offer a second camera, to enable them to capture all of the behind-the-scenes action on the Wedding morning, right through to the last guest on the dance floor that night!

Communication

Once you have chosen your perfect photographer, always speak to your venue, just to check if there are any limitations that you need to be aware of – especially if you are considering a firework display, sparklers, lanterns, drone footage, or if you’d like to have your four-legged friend to be a part of your big day (a personal favourite of mine!)

For most of us, being in front of the camera can be daunting to say the least! Speak to your photographer and see if they can arrange a fun test shoot for you – this could be at your home, the local park, or at your Wedding venue (this can also be helpful to them, if they have never been to your venue before!) A test shoot is a great way to help you feel at ease in front of the camera, it can help you feel more natural on your Wedding day, and helps the photographer see how you interact as a couple.

Invest wisely

Photography can often account for a healthy chunk of your overall Wedding budget. It is worth spending extra time to find the perfect photographer to ensure that you have memories to enjoy for a lifetime!

Planning your wedding

You can find out more on the awesome work Libby does at her bespoke website here. She really does make planning your wedding simple and stress-free.