If you are reading this, you probably haven't tied the knot just yet and may even be sat there right now sifting through hundreds of "recommended" photographers you found on one of those busy Facebook groups! I know how hard it is picking a photographer; after all, you only get married once, and it needs to be RIGHT!
If you can't be bothered to read this article and want to get straight to booking your perfect wedding photographer, click here! .... just kidding ;)
But there are so many, where do I start!? - Well, you got that right! If, like above, you are part of these 'bride to be' wedding Facebook groups, you have already been bombarded with links to various websites, pages, Instagram profiles, blogs etc and you are just overwhelmed! However, I can tell you this now, there is someone for every one! And in the photography industry there are so many variables to suit all styles, budgets and tastes.
You get what you pay for. We are all well aware of that saying nowadays! But it is so true. If you are on a tight budget, you are going to have to make the compromise of quality That's the hard truth! If a photographer is charging you over a thousand pounds to shoot your wedding for the day, you can almost guarantee that he or she will be experienced in shooting for various stylish weddings, in multiple locations, for bride's that are passionate about their wedding images. Not to mention, they usually have over £10k worth of equipment on site at any one time, using the best of the best lenses and cameras to give you tack sharp images with beautiful bokeh.
When you book a "more expensive" photographer, you are investing in reliability and assurance. It can also be said that a photographer charging higher prices takes his business seriously, which means investing into training regularly, bettering their photography skills and trying new and unique ways to make your images stand out!
So what else do I need to look out for!? - Style. Let's face it, we all have an image in our heads of what our beautiful wedding day will look like. You have probably already scrolled through thousands of Pinterest images, pinning the hell out of the best of them! But, just because a 'professional photographer' has expensive equipment, don't assume they can deliver you with Pinterest-esque images. This comes down to style. All.. well, most photographers have their own unique style. That is, style of shooting, style of editing, a unique eye for composition, a unique way to use light, cropping, even focal lengths of certain lenses play a big role in a photographers unique style. This is where you really need to concentrate on choosing your wedding photographer! In fact, i would urge you to keep those pinned images and compare them to those recommended photographers, and see whether they suit your standards!
Personality makes all the difference! - When on wedding videography duty, I get to work along side many different photographers and I'v seen some characters! Personality should be a big factor in to your choice. Someone could take amazing images but if they are walking round your wedding guests with a face like a slapped backside, the odds are your guests will become stiff, uncomfortable and unnatural around your photographer. In turn, your images may not be a perfect reflection of the emotions on your wedding day! Make sure you chat to your photographer, if he or she looks like a good laugh and easy going, you are already half way there!
I hope this article helped you bride's/groom's out a little, and that you now have a few pointers to look out for when booking your perfect wedding photographer! If they are just shy of your budget, make a compromise elsewhere. Buy a smaller cake, leave out the bucking bronco and thank me later.
JB