Top Tips For Choosing a Wedding Photographer


Here are a few things to think about when choosing your wedding photographer:

1. Portfolio

  • Make sure the photographer’s wedding portfolio is extensive. Remember this is the only way you can tell if the photographer is genuine and competent. If you like the style of the photos but you have doubts, ask the photographer if you can meet up and look at more of their work.
  • These days more and more couples prefer the more modern style of wedding photography usually referred to as “Reportage style”. The result is a lot more relaxed and less posed photographs that capture the moment and the general mood of the day. But be aware that relying too heavily on reportage photography can leave you without those classic 'picture frame' images - having a mixture of reportage and some traditional posed shots is usually a good idea.
  • There are many talented photographers out there who take a more artistic approach to wedding photography and the result is beautiful, stylish and sometimes abstract black & white photos. If you feel like this is something for you then go for it, however be careful that abstract b&w photos are not a cover for a wedding photographer who is actually incapable of capturing people and smiles or has simply managed to fluke their way to some random nice shots. Again the best way to find out is to ask to see a more extensive portfolio.

2. Value For Money

  • The wedding photography market is extremely competitive which is good news for you the customer. If you know what you want but you are on a budget the best thing to do is to go that extra mile which means going beyond page three in google! Consider this: there might be a wedding photographer out there with the exact style that you are looking for who offers prices that suit you perfectly but they don’t have very high google ranking which places them on page 6,7 or 10 - are you going to miss out on a great opportunity simply because you couldn’t be bothered?
  • Make sure the photographer is clear on the services provided: how many hours, how many photos etc.
  • Many wedding photographers are still hung up on number of prints that they provide and try to make more money out of reprints. To be honest this is quite ridiculous considering that we are living in the digital age. There are plenty of photographers out there who will happily give you all the images taken on the day on a CD, sometimes for an extra cost, which leaves you free to reprint your photos, blow them up, put them on canvas or make an online gallery so all your family and friends can see them. So be careful when photographers start talking about charging you for reprints, it is a completely unnecessary extra charge that you shouldn’t have to pay.

3. Avoid the Scam Artists!

  • Make sure the photographer provides you with a legally binding contract and read through it carefully.
  • Pay all monies through bank transfers and quote the necessary reference. Make sure that the name on the bank account (if it is a personal account) matches the name on the contract.
  • Ask a lot of questions to make sure that everything is completely clear.

4. Make sure the photographer is professional and competent

  • It is very important to have a consultation specially if you haven’t met the photographer beforehand to go through all the details and make sure that there are no questions on either side. Make sure that your wedding photographer offers the option of consultation before you book.
  • The photographer should be reassuring and accommodating, remember this is your special day and your photographer should be willing to go that extra mile to make sure you are completely satisfied given your requests are attainable.
  • You can find out if the photographer is confident by asking questions regarding their previous experience and how they normally do things.