Wedding days seem to pass by in the blink of an eye. After months and months of planning every last detail, they can come and go in a whirlwind of emotion. Capturing every magical moment is so important – that’s why finding a good wedding photographer is a must.
But what makes a good wedding photographer and how do you choose the right one for you? Here are five golden rules to follow when it comes to finding the perfect photographer to capture the happiest day of your life.
Decide on a Style
Your choice of photographer all depends on the type of wedding you’re having and the way you want to capture it. Throwing a big fancy black-tie wedding in a country manor house? You’re probably going to want carefully staged, classical photographs to capture your day. Or maybe your wedding will be a big, crazy celebration with lots of laughter and colour. You’ll need a ‘people person’ – someone who can capture that spontaneous joy that weddings bring out. Either way, you must match the style of your wedding with your ideal photographer.
Set a Budget
A value for money wedding photographer is worth their weight in gold. With the stress of spending a small fortune on the wedding dress, the venue, catering, entertainment and a million other expenses, being able to rely on a quality affordable wedding photographer is an amazing weight off your shoulders. Remember, spending less doesn’t always mean the quality will be less – there are plenty of talented wedding photographers that offer a great service for any budget.
Do Your Homework
Make a shortlist of photographers and, before you make a decision, check out their portfolios. Finding a photographer with a creative touch that catches your eye is important. Don’t just limit yourself to their wedding portfolio – have a look at a wide range of their work. You might find something that truly connects – whether it’s the way they capture emotion, the way they frame a shot or just a feeling you get from their photos – something you can’t quite put your finger on – that tells you they’re the perfect photographer for you.
Choose Someone You Get on With
If you like their work and their style matches yours, so far so good. But beyond their work, it’s important that your photographer is someone you can get on with. They may be a genius behind the lens, but if they drive you up the wall, your dream day could quickly turn into a nightmare.
It’s crucial to consider your guests here too – the last thing you want is a photographer getting in everyone’s way and creating a bad atmosphere on the most important day of your life. Hiring a calm, thoughtful photographer with great people skills is a must.
Be Clear About What You Want
Maybe you’re bursting with ideas about what kind of shots you want and how best to capture the magic of your big day. Maybe you want to trust in the creativity of your photographer and give them free rein to do their thing. However you want to approach things, it’s massively important that you tell the photographer what you want from the get-go. If you’re on the same page, you’ll immediately know how to work with each other, instead of against each other. Having a good, open channel of communication is the only way to make sure everyone knows what to expect. It is the best way to make sure that you have a beautiful visual document of your wedding – something you can cherish for the rest of your days.
