Choosing The Right Photographer
Things you need to consider that can help you choose the right wedding photographer. Here are my top tips for choosing the right wedding photographer.
Planning your wedding day can be daunting. I have been photographing weddings for over 10 years in and around Yorkshire. They say you will never have the same people together in one room again. All the pretty decorations and other wedding elements you have spent your money on to make it look perfect are lovely, but human connections are far more precious and make each wedding unique. These must be documented with care, empathy, skill, and creativity.
Photography Style
Finding the style that naturally appeals to you both isn’t that tricky. Style refers to the photographer’s edited aesthetic of the final image. Usually, a photographer has an editing style that gives them a stand-out look. The first stage is research; look at the different styles and decide your preference. Styles can be editorial, airy, fine art, moody, dark or colourful. Trends come and go, and you should think about how you want your images to look after the wedding and in years to come.
Style can also refer to how the photographer approaches the wedding day in terms of how they shoot and what they capture. Reportage, candid and documentary wedding photographers will capture the day as it unfolds. They will anticipate special moments, react quickly, and capture genuine emotions as they happen. The style is candid, approachable, and spontaneous, so they will make everything look its best, but there will be minimal intervention. Documentary-style wedding photographers focus on being unobtrusive but are confident in giving quick direction. The photographer wants you and your guests to relax and enjoy the day. Your photos will tell the story of that experience rather than a traditional and more classic approach.
Experience
Are you looking for something more quirky and unusual, someone with a different eye when composing compositions, moments happen on a wedding day in a flash, someone who is not scared to push what is considered the norm” For this, the photographer’s experience is essential. It is a tough job to photograph an entire wedding day; there is so much to consider as a photographer. Not only do you need to know your camera kit inside and out, but you also need to be able to multi-task like a ninja while remaining calm, fun and approachable. Learning the camera’s technical abilities and skill makes the photographer shoot on instinct, allowing the photographer to see moments more easily. I have pushed and learnt this over the last 10 years of shooting weddings and striving to produce quirky, fun and colourful images.
I’ve seen a lot of things at weddings; to be fair, there’s not much I haven’t seen, so you will be in safe hands with me!
Don’t Forget….
Final Choice
Once you have found the perfect style for you both, create a shortlist of wedding photographers to show that they fit within your photography budget and are available for your wedding date.
Top Tip: Searching for your photographer is an excellent idea once you’ve secured your venue! Many of the best wedding photographers get fully booked 1-2 years in advance, so getting a head start can pay off!
It is essential to see your photographer face-to-face or virtually to see if there’s a personality fit. Can you spend all day with this person? They are also guests at your wedding, so you’ll be together all day. Will they make you feel comfortable? Are they excited about your vision for the big day? Ask to see complete weddings from beginning to end. It’s a great way to better understand the whole experience beyond just the highlights.
Once you’ve decided, reach out to your chosen photographer to lock in your date and kick off the booking process—exciting times ahead! It’s also nice to let any photographers you met but didn’t choose to know where they stand. This way, they can open up their availability for other couples looking for that special date. Plus, it’s just a friendly thing to do.
Top Tip: Photographer websites and Instagram are excellent platforms for exploring a curated selection of their favourite shots. It’s like entering their creative world and experiencing the moments that inspire them! Check out my Instagram here
One Last Thing
I’m dedicated to creating images I love for my clients, and I’m always striving to push the boundaries of my craft. In this industry, my fellow wedding photographers often talk about shooting what you love, and that’s precisely what I do. This gives me the creative freedom to do what I do best, and that’s why I love this job. Actually, I always say, “It’s not a job!!” I never feel like I’m at work. It is a privilege to shoot a wedding day; I am invited into your lives to tell your story with the belief that all love is love and awesome things happen when good people come together in celebration!
If you want any more tips or help or would like to enquire about me shooting your wedding day then please click on the link below and say hi.
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