How to choose the right wedding photographer for your day?

No matter how large or small your wedding celebration is, hiring a professional photographer to capture all the details, the love and the joy of your day is a well worth investment. These are the one thing you can hold onto forever. How do you choose the right wedding photographer for your day?

Get researching

Once you’ve set a date it is time to start researching wedding photographers.  Generally, speaking photographers are booked 6 months to one year out, sometimes longer. Narrowing down photographers is tough –   there are so MANY creative, talented individuals in this industry.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right wedding photographer for your day:

1.  Have a clear idea of the STYLE you like. 

This will help you narrow down the selection of photographers.   

Are you attracted to more traditional style of photography, posed images and pretty smiles starting at the camera? 

Do you prefer a documentary feel where the photographer goes unnoticed with no posed images? 

Is a candid style that captures the big emotions and little details to tell the story of the entire day your preference?  

Take a look at the final edited images like these can vary so much with some photographers going for warmer tones, others prefer a light and airy feel.

My personal style is for clean, colourful and natural images.

I love colour and will look out for colour everywhere, it could be a door, a red brick wall or a shipping container! 

2.  Get to know your wedding photographer. 

Do you get on with your photographer?  Your photographer is going to spend a lot of the day with you, your family and your friends. Make sure you like them.  Choose a wedding photographer whose work you are drawn to and that you like on a personal level. I suggest meeting any potential suppliers in person – it is the best way to find out if you have a connection.

Whenever I meet couples, we ended up chatting about so much more than weddings such as travel, films, gin!

Pre wedding sessions can be really useful for getting to each other and for some experience of what to expect on your wedding day.



3. Ask to see a real wedding. 

It’s ok.  Don’t be shy.  It’s easy to post the best of the best on social media or share amazing stylised images from a styled shoot working with amazing suppliers (so every image is picture-perfect) but what about those real moments and real couples?  Ask to see a full gallery of a real wedding and your photographer will happily share.

4.  Backup. 

Backup equipment is crucial.  PLEASE ask your photographer if they have backup equipment.  You don’t want your photographer showing up to shoot your day with only one camera body. 

What happens if a strap breaks and the camera falls to the ground before the ceremony has started. 

Do they have multiple lenses just incase?

How do they back up your images?

What happens if they are ill?  



5.  Insurance. 

As we are talking business stuff it is important to check that your photographer is insured. 

Professional photographers should be insured in case something happens to their gear or something accidentally happens to one of your guests involved the photographer’s equipment

6.  Ask about the DETAILS. 

Remember to ask what is included in the package. 

Are there any additional charges for further editing?

Will the photographer try to sell you the digital files in addition to the original package price?  

TIP: Make sure your photographer has a contract.  For that matter make sure you sign a contract with all of your wedding suppliers.

7. Turn around time.  

Another really important question to ask. How long will you have to wait to view your photographs? Do they share them on social media? Will, there be any sneak peeks

8.  Don’t “Uncle Bob” it. 

Say your uncle shoots sports photography for your little cousins since he does a great job you think he will do a great job shooting your wedding for free!   Money saved, right??   Not quite. 

You may save some money but your wedding photos might not quite turn out how you envisioned them.

Wedding photography is a whole other game.  I would be lying if I didn’t say it can be stressful.  You don’t want to miss a shot or mess up on someone’s wedding day.  

It is so important to trust your photographer.

Bonus tip:

Take advantage of any pre wedding/engagement sessions that your photographer offers.

This is a great way to spend a couple hours with them and see if  you feel comfortable spending hours with them on your wedding day and you get great images you love. Win, win!

This is extra helpful if either of you are camera shy as it will help you be more relaxed on your wedding day. 

If you would like to see if I am the right photographer for your wedding day please just drop me a line and I would be glad to help in any way