How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer

How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer? Simple: Choose me! (Only joking – sort of!) 

But truly, in a world filled with amazing photographers, picking the right one for your wedding can be mind-boggling! Lots of styles, different price brackets, and wildly different shooting techniques have made the selection process a minefield.

Now, it’s up to you to choose the right photographer who’ll take your special day and turn it into lifelong memories. So, how do people make sure they get the best wedding photographer for them? Here are my top 8 tips to help put some much-needed breeze into your decision-making process. 

Where Should I Look For My Wedding Photographer?

Ah, yes. The great decision of the decade – where exactly should you look for a photographer who’ll provide lasting memories for the future you? It can be a bit of a jungle, so here are my top sources for advice:

Instagram & Tiktok (check hashtags/venues)

Look for specific hashtags that align with your idea of a photographer – you can make sure to get a more personalised result if you narrow things down like that. Alternatively, search venues – lots of people post stunning photos on their respective wedding venue hashtags!

Google (search by style/location)

Duh! But you can get super specific with your keywords and find the exact type of person you’re after. Depending on your style of wedding photography, you can search for documentary wedding photographers, fine art photographers, and even light & airy styles.

More tips to help you choose your wedding photographer

Word Of Mouth

Have you been to any weddings recently? Ask the guests for their opinion on who did the photos and if they had an amazing experience with them. It’s also worth asking your suppliers as many of them will have worked with particular photographers before and might be able to give you a good recommendation. 

Wedding Directories

There are so many specialist wedding directories nowadays that you’re likely to find something that’s right up your street. Just think – if you’re having a boho wedding, search for photographers who specialise in alternative weddings or eclectic photography.

I could wax lyrical about my amazing list of favourites all day, but some of my top ones include The Unconventional Wedding’s Book Of Love, The Un-Wedding, and Unique Rebels Union. 

Wedding Fairs

It’s not just about sparkling engagement rings anymore. Our wedding fairs are now stunning meccas of unique ideas and specialist creatives – including, of course, the best wedding photographers around. It’s worth tracking down a fair that matches your style; you’ll be more likely to find the perfect photographer at an indie wedding showcase than at a classic bridal expo!

9 Tips for That Perfect Wedding Photographer

Ok, now here it comes; the nitty-gritty of how to make sure you get exactly what you’re after. It’s time to think a bit deeper. These days, you don’t have to settle for a friend or an amateur who’s turned the camera on themselves.

1. Budget, Budget, Budget

Wedding photos are an heirloom – something that’ll be with you and your family for a lifetime. Don’t go cheap! Pay what is fair, research thoroughly to make sure you get the best deal, and ask about discounts if you’re flexible with commission rates. Most good photographers will be open to bargaining, so don’t be shy! 

Maybe offer them a Milka chocolate bar (wink, wink) and see if that sweetens the deal?!

2. Define Your Style

Do you like classic photography? Or are you looking for something more documentary or editorial style? Do a bit of research into the different shooting styles and decide what’s up your street. If you’re into bright and vibrant colours, make sure you’re finding a photographer whose gallery reflects that. 

If it’s hard to figure out what you like on your own, look at some wedding photos and try to understand what attractions you personally have.

Look at how the subjects interact, if they’re posed or natural, and which elements of their day have been highlighted in the photos – this will help you get to know your own taste better. Whether it’s that emotion-filled moment or the amazing details – knowing what photos you’d love helps narrow down your search. 

Now the hard part in choosing the right one for you

3. Do Your Homework

You can tell so much about a photographer by scoping out their website and social media accounts – get a feel for their personality and, more importantly, their style of photography. Dig deeper into client testimonials and reviews to make sure you’re getting all the info before you pick the perfect wedding photographer. 

And don’t forget – seeing a full wedding gallery gives you a better idea of what to expect than just the highlights.

Most importantly – ask questions! Connecting well with your potential candidate beforehand is a great sign – it’ll help you understand each other and make sure the chemistry is there on the big day. 

4. What’s Important To You?

Think about what is important to you about your wedding and how the photographer can reflect that.

If it’s all about having a wild time, pick someone who specialises in natural, candid shots that’ll capture your friends dancing their socks off – a traditional photographer won’t be a great fit here!

And if you’re introverts who don’t feel natural in front of the camera, pick someone with an unobtrusive style. This will enable them to capture memories and moments without making it feel stuffy and structured. 

If you’re into fine art photography, double-check that the photographers you select have portfolios to match. 

5. Read The Small Print

What’s worse than finding your dream photographer (but not being able to afford them)? Being misled and ending up with images you don’t necessarily like.

You’re half way with choosing your wedding photographer

Do some research on their insurance, backup equipment, and contingency plans to make sure that anything can – literally – happen on your day and you’re still safe.

Heck, if there’s something about their policy that makes you feel a bit uneasy – inquire more! Find out what the details are before committing to anything to make sure everything runs smoothly from beginning to end. 

6. Real Moments – Capture Them!

Yes, sure, everyone can take a good portrait or two, but can they capture real moments? It’s often small things – like your Nan getting emotional when you say something heartwarming or that clumsy dance move your husband-to-be makes when no one’s watching – these moments will often become treasured memories to you.

Seek out photographers who have a knack for documentary photography, and you can trust them to feel and document the true emotion of your day, regardless of rain or shine.

7. Delivery and Extra Features

Since the dawn of time, wedding albums have been a popular memento. Ask if any extra features are included in the package you’re paying for, and make sure everything is clear from format to delivery. Additional prints or canvas aren’t unheard of, and they’re an amazing way to make sure your story is shared! 

In this era, though, many couples are going digital only. Make sure you know if the price includes a digital version or if you’d need to pay extra for it.

But what about the duration of delivery? Would you need to wait a few months, or will they make sure to get them back to you in a timely manner? Don’t forget to inquire and make sure everything’s crystal clear. 

Almost there!

8. Go With Your Gut & Heart

You’re the experts in yourselves, so trust your gut and heart when it comes to choose a wedding photographer. Do you connect with them? Do you really like their style and the personal story that comes from their photos? Overlook the facts and figures – at the end of the day, it’s all about being comfortable with your photographer.

At this point, you should have a good sense of who your perfect partner-in-crime might be! 

9. Don’t be Afraid to Ask Away

Photographers normally love talking about their work – don’t forget to ask questions that matter most to you. Are they willing to refer you to an alternative wedding photographer if they’re not available on your date? Can they accommodate extra hours of coverage or extra parts of the wedding?

If there’s anything that you’re particularly concerned with, talk to them – they’ll likely have sensible solutions that can make your day go exactly as you’ve always dreamed

But don’t forget to inquire also about the venue – there’s so much a good photographer can bring to your day by knowing your venue inside and out. 

Photographer = Found!

As a Manchester wedding photographer, nothing makes me happier than when my couples are thrilled with how their photos capture and preserve the personality, emotion, and atmosphere of their day. But finding the perfect one for you isn’t easy. 

The modern pluralistic world provides endless photographers with a variety of styles, budgets, and service packages to choose from. Take your time to research and narrow down the search – it’ll all be worth it in the end when you get to keep those heartwarming memories forever and show them off to your grandchildren one day. 

When choosing a wedding photographer, it’s important to find someone who makes you feel comfortable and at ease. One way to test the waters is to schedule an engagement shoot before the wedding day. This will give you a chance to work with the photographer and see how you feel in front of the camera. It also allows the photographer to get to know you as a couple and tailor their approach to your personalities and style.

Group shots can be an important part of your creative wedding photography, particularly if you have large families or groups of friends. A skilled photographer will be able to organise and direct these shots efficiently, without taking up too much time or disrupting the flow of the day.

Let the PRO’s to do the job

Professional photographers bring a lot of expertise and experience to the table, which can be invaluable when it comes to capturing all the important moments of your wedding day. They will have an eye for detail and be able to anticipate special moments as they happen.

When looking at a photographer’s portfolio, be sure to check for real weddings they have shot in the past. This will give you an idea of their style and how they approach different lighting conditions, venues, and settings.

It’s important to book your photographer well in advance of your wedding date, as the best ones tend to get booked up quickly. Make sure you have a clear understanding of what is included in their wedding photography packages, and that it aligns with your budget and needs. Finally, be sure to communicate your vision and expectations clearly with your photographer, so that they can work with you to achieve your desired outcome on your wedding day.

I hope I’ve covered everything about “How to choose your wedding photographer”! Good luck on the search, I’m sure it won’t be long till you find “The One” for you!