How to find the right wedding photographer

As a wedding photographer and a previous bride myself, I know how daunting it can be to find a wedding photographer. There are so many wedding photographers to choose from and it’s so hard to know where to start. Should you pick a photographer who’s local to you? Should you go for a documentary style wedding photographer, a editorial style wedding photographer, or something in between? Is it better to go for a full day package, or a shorter one?

Well dear reader, to help cut through the many, many articles out there which discuss wedding photography I’m just going to lay out the key things you need to be thinking about in a straight up way.

Start Looking Early

Wedding Photographers book up early. Sometimes years in advance. So if you’re looking to book your wedding on a (what we call) ‘key date’ which could be a weekend date in the summer, you’ll want to start thinking about your wedding photographer pretty much as soon as you’ve booked your wedding venue.

Define Your Preferred Photography Style

What are the key styles of wedding photography and what do the terms actually mean? Well, there are three main categories in my view and these are:

• Editorial Wedding Photography – this is where photos are pretty posed and stylised but they don’t always look it. Think of a luxury and glam vibe where there’s a lot of focus on the details, fine-art style editing and posing in a way that looks like you’re out of a magazine.
• Documentary Wedding Photography – this is a totally hands-off approach. The photographer will not interrupt the goings on of your wedding day AT ALL. Couple portraits aren’t really a thing here, rather the photographer will look for moments when you’re naturally together and snap those, perhaps you walking between events, but they won’t be orchestrated at all. If you like candid images, and aren’t into family portraits etc, this is for you.
• Natural Wedding Photography – this is a fusion of the two above approaches. It’s also the style that I have. Think of it as a 20/80 split. For 80% of the day, I blend into the goings on of your wedding, capturing things as they happen. Weaving in and out of groups to get natural moments as they talk and interact. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for your closest family and wedding party to take natural wedding photos of them as they laugh and connect. On the other side of this, 20% of the time, I’ll offer light direction so I can elevate your wedding photos further. Asking you to stand in better light for portraits, directing reveals with your parents or wedding party so we can get those real emotions as they happen, I’ll move furniture around and bags of clothes so we can have clean backdrops for those key photos in prep. I’ll direct your family quickly through family portraits so we can get through them quickly and offer prompts here and there to get that natural affection coming through in your wedding couple portraits so you look natural and comfortable rather than standing awkwardly not knowing what to do with your hands! In my view, it gives you the best of both.

View Wedding Photography Portfolios

Once you’ve got a shortlist of wedding photographers in your area, it’s time to dive into their portfolios. Look beyond the surface and pay attention to the emotions captured in each shot. Not just the snazzy couple photos but all the in-between parts of the wedding day too. Have a scroll through their blog posts (you can see more of my blog posts here) to see how they capture different parts of a wedding day. Do their images tug at your heartstrings? Do they tell a story? Trust your gut and choose a wedding photographer whose work moves you.

Get to Know the Wedding Photographer

Your wedding photographer will be by your side throughout the day, so it’s essential to vibe with them on a personal level. Have a stalk through their Instagram page, a lot of wedding photographers share stories so you can see behind the scenes of how they work, their personality and interests. Schedule a meet-up or hop on a video call to get to know each other better. Chemistry is key, and finding someone who feels like an old friend will make your wedding day even more magical. For me personally, I never book a a wedding without meeting the couple first and ensuring our values align. For me, the most important thing is that what I offer, matches the couples priorities for their wedding photos so I can ensure what I deliver will be exactly what they want.

Read Wedding Photographer Reviews

Nothing speaks volumes like glowing reviews from happy couples. Take the time to read through testimonials and ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your wedding planner. Personal experiences are invaluable when it comes to finding the perfect match. Want to read my Google reviews, have a look here.

View Wedding Photographer Pricing

Whilst your wedding photos are priceless, your budget is not infinite. Be transparent about your budget with potential photographers and discuss their packages in detail. Remember, it’s not just about the price tag but the value you’re getting in return. If you find the DREAM photographer, it’s always worth looking to see if they offer smaller packages. A lot of photographers offer smaller packages on weekdays or off-peak weekend dates. You can still get the wedding photos you really want if you cut down your coverage and keep within budget. I like to make my wedding pricing transparent as I know a lot of wedding couples have a lot on and want the process to be as simple as possible, you can see all my packages and pricing here.

Trust Your Instincts

In matters of the heart (and wedding photography), trust your instincts. If something feels off or doesn’t quite click, it’s okay to keep searching. Just let the photographer know as they’ve likely spent time talking and emailing with you and will wonder why you left (that’s really important, trust me they won’t be offended).

So, there you have it! Your ultimate guide to finding the perfect wedding photographer. Remember, your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of love, and choosing the right photographer will ensure that every precious moment is captured with beauty and grace. Better to get the right photographer for less time, or cut down your budget in another area (if your budget doesn’t stretch), than get a wedding photographer who’s not quite right for you for a full day coverage and be disappointed. You get to do your wedding day once, it’s so important you choose your wedding suppliers wisely.

Book a Wedding Photographer

I absolutely adore my job. I still can’t believe three years in, this is what I get to do full-time. So it’s always such an honour when a couple contact me to capture their wedding day. I live in the West Midlands but I’m regularly travelling all over the shop for weddings so if you’d like to chat more, and looking through my website you are getting all the good feels, I’d love to photograph your wedding! Head over to my contact page to check my availability or ask any questions. Interested in packages? Find those on my info page.