When it comes to capturing your big day, finding the right photographer is so important. Your wedding is a day you will want to remember for a long time to come, and even show future generations, so having shots you really love is key.
There are so many things to consider, and if you’ve only just started the planning process and are perhaps feeling a little overwhelmed, we thought we’d put together our top 10 tips to help you find the perfect person to capture your wedding day.
Do lots of homework
The first thing you’ll want to do is plenty of research. Look for local photographers and reviews of each photographer from others who have recently got married, and generally spend some time looking at wedding blogs. It’s important to get an idea of what your options will be so that you can begin to hone in on exactly what’s right for you.
While wedding photography used to all look fairly similar, these days there are plenty of different styles to choose from and you need to get a feel for all the different types of photography out there, in order to choose the one you love the most.
This roundup from The Knot is a great place to start.
Check for testimonials
Have a look at the testimonials on the websites of photographers you like the work of, but also check out their Facebook, Instagram, and other social media channels to see what people are saying there. Look for feedback from clients, as well as the way in which the photographer responds!
Does their vision match yours?
Your photographer will be telling your story through their eyes, so it’s important to make sure that matches what you’re looking for.
Are you wanting to capture your day in a humorous light? Do you want your pictures to be really romantic? Do you like things to be portrayed in an immaculate and crisp way, or soft and dreamy? Take a look at their portfolio and make sure their vision matches your own.
Have they worked with your venue or a similar venue before?
It’s a good idea to look for photographers who have already shot weddings at your chosen venue as their previous experience could be valuable when it comes to knowing the perfect spots for particular shots, or any details that may not have worked particularly well.
Here at Broadoaks, we can provide details of photographers and other vendors such as florists and musicians.
Consider the lighting
If you’re having your wedding in daylight or somewhere bright then your photographer will have a little bit of an easier job when it comes to finding great lighting for that perfect shot.
If, however, you’re tying the knot somewhere a little darker such as a barn or a church then it takes skill to create light and get that perfect shot. Make sure that, if this is the case, you look at photographers who have experience shooting in darker conditions.
Ask to see some complete portfolios
It’s one thing to see a photographer’s highlight reel as presented on their website, but be sure to ask to see the complete set of photos from a couple of weddings so that you can get a true idea of their skill level.
Look for the details
While looking through the portfolios, keep an eye out for those shots of the minor details and special moments. Typically these ones won’t be showcased on their website but are just as important as the main couple pictures.
You’ll want to capture the little things throughout the day so that you can remember them fondly in years to come, from the decor you’ll have spent a great deal of time and effort choosing, to the sweet, funny, or emotional moments.
Make sure you get along
You will be spending a lot of time with your photographer throughout the day, so be sure that you get along with them! Whether you need to love them to BFF levels or not will be personal to you, but at the very least it’s important that you like them, and that they make you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Find out about post-production and your rights
There are a few questions you should ask any photographers you meet with, regarding the post-production process and your rights once you receive the photographs.
It usually takes at least a month (if not longer) to receive your photo proofs, as it takes a long time to process the raw files, not to mention that the best wedding photographers will have plenty of other weddings to work their way through too.
You’ll also want to find out whether you’ll have the right to have your own prints made, or whether the photographer will retain the rights to the images, and what your retouching options are.
Don’t be too tight
Your wedding day is likely to be the best day of your life and capturing it just right is so important. You can have the most beautiful setting and the most perfect day, but you want to be able to look back over your photos and remember how it was.
You may have an uncle who has a fancy camera or a cousin who shoots models on the runway, but wedding photography is a whole different ball game and it really is important to hire somebody who not only knows exactly what they’re doing but fits into your vision too.
Of course, if you do have a relative who’s a celebrated wedding photographer then that’s a great position to be in, but if not, do consider opening those purse strings just a little.
We hope this has given you some help when it comes to the process of choosing the perfect wedding photographer. If you are considering Broadoaks as your venue, you can find out more about our wonderful weddings here.