Today folks I have some great advice about choosing your perfect wedding photographer by Fiona Kelly. Fiona is a London-based wedding photographer and a member of my Dream Team and so is perfectly placed to tell you all you need to know, over to you Fiona…..
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Venturing into the world of wedding planning can be a daunting task. There are so many decisions, so many companies offering you services and so much to look at and take in. Knowing where to start can be tricky and making sure you make the right decision about your wedding photographer really can be make or break. There are couples I know, who chose photographers who didn’t really rock their boat but they went with because their mum/dad/aunty/friend had recommended or heard about. Unfortunately they now have photos they hate and no real captured memories of their amazing day. Its a real shame.
With this in mind, a while back I started writing a few helpful points for what to look for when searching for a wedding photographer. This mainly came about after being asked a lot of these questions by friends and prospective clients, couples who were having a tricky time finding someone that fitted what they wanted. I hope it gives some guidance and some points for thought…

1. DONT LET PRICE PUT YOU OFF BUT BE REALISTIC
It seems like an odd thing to say, especially at a time when budgets are tight for most, but first and foremost you should find a photographer (or a couple of them) who’s work you love. Many photographers offer flexible packages, gift vouchers and mini packages and they will be happy to work with you to get you the coverage you want for your wedding day.
If you simply love the work of a particular photographer its worth trying to make it work financially, obviously within reason, bankrupting yourself isn’t the way to start married life! Many brides will be considering paying thousands for a dress yet the one lasting memory of that very special day is often pinched and is a secondary thought. This can often end up in images that are less than satisfactory and couples that aren’t happy with the service they receive.
Having images that will make you smile, laugh and feel the emotion again in 20 years time is worth the investment.

2. LOOK AT SAMPLES OF THEIR WORK
Arrange a meeting and see, first hand, the quality and finish of their work. Check if they were the one that took the shots. More importantly, will they be shooting your actual wedding day? Some weddings photographers have teams of people so the person you met may not be the one who’s there on the day.
Check the variety of their shots. Have they shots that show the details and close ups as well as the overall venue, pulled back shots and the surroundings? Are they going to be able to tell the whole story of your wedding day? Ask about the group shots and portraits? How do they do these and how long do they take?
Its important that you think about what you want in terms of these shots. Do you want many group shots or do you mainly want a candid coverage of the day?

3. DO YOU LIKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER?
This is probably one of the most important things when choosing who will take your wedding photos. You will be spending a lot of time with your photographer, especially if you have an engagement shoot. They will be a key part of your day so liking them, feeling comfortable and above all else trusting them is so important.

4. WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN BOOKING AND THE WEDDING DAY?
Find out how your relationship will continue/develop up to the wedding day. Is the photographer available to chat about ideas, will you meet before the day? Do they do a venue visit to check out where they will be shooting? Do they get to know you in a way that means your photographs will truely convey you as a couple? Can you get an engagement shoot to allow you to get some practice in front of the camera? Basically, make sure that you are happy with the level of contact you will have with your photographer once you have signed the contract.

5. ALBUMS & MORE, WHAT ELSE CAN YOU GET?
Ask the photographer what they offer in terms of albums, prints, canvases etc. Anything you may be interested in investing in at some point.There are a wide variety of album companies out there of greater and lesser quality. Find out what albums your photographer offers and see samples. Do you like the style? Do they offer different options of style? What about mini albums for parents?
You may not want an album immediately but its always good to know what your options are. Its also worth asking if the photographer has any time limit on your ordering an album or any other extras once the wedding is over.
Find out who designs their albums. Is it their own work or do they send it off to another company to do? Chances are if they do the design themselves it will be more personal them and while it may take a little longer to do you might just get an album thats more ‘you’.

6. PROFESSIONAL OR AMATEUR?
Its not necessarily going to be very obvious as not every professional photographer belongs to lots of associations or has qualifications coming out of their ears. Most will probably belong to one or two such as the SWPP (society of wedding and portrait photographers), BIPP (british institute of professional photographers), the ISPWP (international society of professional wedding photographers) or the RPS (royal photographic society) so you can always ask.
The main thing to look out for is their level of professionalism. How do they present themselves? How organised and efficient are they? Do they look like they do this as their career?
A good photographer will have everything sorted, even if you’re not aware of how much they are doing. They will know what to expect and what to look out for. They’ll have records of shots to do, places to be and people they need to speak to.
I know its hard to tell when you first meet them but you will get a feeling. Do they answer calls or emails within good time? Are they punctual? Are they full prepared for your meeting? These will give you some clues. You want to be able to discuss your requirements and then forget about your photography on the day, knowing that your photographer has it all in hand!
If you choose to go with someone who is just starting out thats great, everyone needs to start somewhere and you can get some great deals on photography coverage by using someone who is new to the profession. Just make sure you know about this and are comfortable with it. There’s a big difference between a talented new comer and someone who just has a go as an extra job without really having the experience.

7. HOW DOES THE PHOTOGRAPHER APPROACH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
This is a bit of a continuation to point 6 as well as being a valid point of its own. You need to work out if the photographer is just taking photos or if they are creating beautiful images. Are they passionate about what they do or is it just a job? There are many photographers who can take a decent photo and do a good enough job, but what you will probably end up with here are photos that could be of anyones wedding. Really do look for someone who’s enthusiasm makes you feel that your wedding is as special to them as it is to you. You are individual, so is your wedding, so your photos should reflect that. Not just be one off a shelf.

THE NEXT STEP…
I hope this has provided some help. When you find your perfect photographer, book them. Then relax, safe in the knowledge that you will have an amazing wedding day and end up with the most marvellous images that make you smile and bring back those special memories for years to come.
If you have any further questions or just want to chat about anything related to this or photography in general do give me a call. Im always happy to help.
Fiona x