How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer For You
Wedding Venue…tick, the wedding dress…tick, but what’s the one thing that will remain an everlasting memory of your wedding day? Your wedding photos. They’re the one thing you’ll have after all the celebrations are over to remember the special memories for years to come, which is why you want to choose your photographer wisely.
Maybe you’ve googled ‘local wedding photographers near me’ or ‘best wedding photographers in Surrey’ and you’re quickly realising how many local wedding photographers near you exist, and you’re unsure about how to choose the right wedding photographer for your needs. Or maybe you know you need to start looking for someone to take your wedding pictures but you just don’t know where to begin. Here’s a few key things to look out for when choosing the right wedding photographer for you so you can have a picture perfect wedding like you’ve always dreamed of.
Determine your budget:
First and foremost, decide how much you’re comfortable spending. The amount you choose to spend on your wedding photography is completely your choice but to give you a rough idea, the average uk wedding photographer costs between £1500-£2000. Any cheaper than this and there’s a chance you’ll end up with low quality images that you’ll be stuck with for a lifetime but remember to factor in your other big costs too. If you’re planning on hiring out one of the best wedding venues in Surrey for example, then that will end up costing more than a small intimate wedding venue. So make sure to find the right wedding photographer for you within a budget that suits.
What style of photography do you like?
There are so many styles of wedding photography for you to choose from. Do you like natural and candid wedding photography, dark and moody photos, posed couple photos, or funny wedding photos? Search for local wedding photographers in your area and have a look through social media sites like Pinterest to get an idea of what style feels right for you.
If you want a picture perfect wedding, you want your wedding photos to be timeless and age with you, take note of the way a photographer edits their photos. What might be on trend now, probably won’t be in a few years time. To avoid your photos looking outdated, aim to choose a wedding photographer with a natural editing style. Be aware that overly edited photos can sometimes be a coverup for bad quality images and won’t reflect the true story of your wedding day.
What kind of couple are you?
Maybe you love being in front of the camera and you have no problem with lots of posed couple shots, or maybe you’re the complete opposite and feel quite intimidated by the idea of having your photo taken but you still want a picture perfect wedding. If this is the case you’re probably after a more relaxed and candid photo style. No matter what kind of couple you are, it’s important to find a photographer whose style suits you and who you can feel comfortable around.
Have a browse through a few local wedding photographers websites and see what type of images they take. If you can imagine yourself in those photos then that’s a sign that they might be a good fit for you.
Reach Out
Once you’ve found a photographer you like, get in touch with them and arrange to meet. This could be done over the phone, in person or through a video call depending on what works best for everyone. When meeting your photographer ask to see some examples of a full wedding. Discuss what photos you would like if you’ve got some in mind, and the type of style you’re looking for. It’s also important to ask questions about their packages and pricing. Find out what’s included in each package and decide what might fit best for your budget.
Are they the photographer for you?
If you’ve asked all of the questions and feel like they might be the best photographer for you, then it’s time to look at how you felt during your meeting. Did the photographer make you feel at ease? Can you picture them taking photos of you? And most importantly, did you feel comfortable around them? Remember they’ll be at your side on your wedding day so you want to make sure you feel happy having them there.
With the right photographer you can enjoy a stress free wedding day and beautiful photos to look back on for years to come.