How to Choose a Photographer for Your Wedding
Organising a wedding is a mammoth task. There are just so many decisions to be made! Once you’ve sorted out the venue, how many guests you’re comfortable with, and a general vibe, most couples turn their attention to the fun bits. This is where a hunt for a photographer usually begins, and it can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. I’m going to discuss budget, availability, where you can find your perfect photographer, how to get the ball rolling and what to do if it feels like you just can’t get started. But first, if there’s just one thing you take away from this blog post, let it be this:
There is a photographer out there for every wedding. Every budget, every size and style of wedding, every location.
People hate discussing money so let’s do that first, get it out the way and move onto more interesting topics.
The average wedding in the UK last year cost £17000, but this is an arbitrary figure that tells you nothing about what you should or must stick to, because there really are no rules. There are no industry standards when it comes to price. Go into your wedding planning with an open mind, and get an idea of what things cost then work out what you feel comfortable spending. Work out which services are must-haves, nice-to-haves, and can-live-withouts.
I’m massively biased, but I think it’s worth spending at least the average price for wedding photography, which is between £1500 and £1800.The average cost of a photographer is somewhere between £1500 and £1800. Photography is a skill that develops over time, and if you book someone under the average cost expect them to be new, possibly inexperienced, or very, very busy.
So where does your budget go?
We’re paid for our time and the final product. But what does that really entail? I recently sat down and worked out the average time I spend on a wedding - from the first contact with the couple, to getting them booked in, emailing to discuss the finer details, any video chats we might have, travelling, shooting, editing, curating, right through to gallery delivery. It came out at 35 hours per wedding. Add a video and a preshoot and you’re looking at something like 50 hours. Aside from time spent doing these things, I have costs to meet - insurance, my booking system, the way I deliver galleries, fuel, overnight stays, equipment and ongoing training. This gives you a rough idea of what your investment pays for, but every photographer has their own special sauce (more on that in a bit).
Along with budget, there’s also a style for every photographer. This is such a key consideration! Take some time looking up terms like ‘fine art’, ‘documentary’, ‘modern’ and ‘reportage’. And then there’s palettes. Few photographers deliver photos that look true to life in terms of colour. Some are really soft while others have more contrast and punch to them. It’s well worth making sure you love a photographer’s signature style before you book in with them, as this is not something they will change. It’s like going to a sushi restaurant and asking for a lasagne. The chef can probably do it, but sushi is where they shine.
Personally I like to capture the smiles, laughter and silly moments. I suppose this makes me a documentary style photographer! I’m not big into posing but I do like a few ‘set up’ shots and I like to play around with angles and reflections. Figure out what you like to see by looking at lots of different photographers. There will will be one who blows you away.
But where the **** are they?
A decade ago if you were looking for a photographer for your wedding people looked on Facebook. Before that it was Flickr. Instagram has ruled the last 4+ years and now video is king, so Tiktok is gaining in importance. Along with all of this there’s always been wedding fairs, wedding directory websites, Google, asking for recommendations, and asking your venue who they recommend. Each way of looking has its pitfalls though. Don’t be tempted to stick just with a local photographer becausethey live down the road - most of us travel the length and breadth of the country for a couple who seems like a great fit.
I’d first look to see other photos from my venue on Instagram. If I didn’t have a venue but instead was hiring a tipi on private land, or having a DIY wedding at home I’d search for something like “Cheshire wedding photographer”, and see if anything comes up that I like. Usually if you search for stuff in this way, Instagram will keep returning in in your feed for a while, and it’s easy to fall down an insta rabbit hole by looking at who other photographers follow.
Directories
Directories are a godsend for couples and businesses, but finding ones that align with your outlook can be challenging. When you search for one it’s best to add a description of what you’re looking. Modern wedding directory? Quirky? Classic? Think about the terms you’re using and how you’d describe it.
Personally I’m a massive fan of The Unwedding. Its the only directory I’m signed up to at the moment and every single business on their books is FABULOUS!
Venue + Friend Recommendations
Venues often host 2-3 weddings a week, if not more, all year round. They’ve seen more photographers than you can shake a stick at (please don’t shake sticks at us though, we get lairy). Once you’ve told them what you’re planning for your day then ask for recommendations. They’ll know of all kinds of people and will only ever recommend people they really like working with so you know you’ll be getting someone nice.
Similarly if you loved your friends’ wedding photos ask to see more and have an open chat with them about their experience. There’s nothing like getting an in person review before you start making enquiries.
Sometimes you just jam with someone and you can’t explain why. Pay attention to this instinct! Your photographer is with you all day on what can be an emotionally vulnerable occasion/a complete riot. Will they fit in? Do they get you? Do you feel completely comfortable letting your nearest and dearest loose on them? If the answer to any of these questions isn’t certain then find out the answers. We’re not a homogenous group but it’s important to most couples that the photographer blends in well with the day, so most of us are fab at paying attention and watching the action, and knowing when to join in. This is the special sauce that the right person brings on your day.
Get your shortlist and get chatting!
This is the bit where I have to stop holding your hand and let you crack on with the job! Chat to a few photographer to see who you gel with best. If they offer you some full galleries to look at definitely take a look. Instagram and our websites are highly curated, so it’s good to see a typical full day before you go all in. If you want a video chat then make yourself available for one and let the conversation flow. A good, experienced photographer should be able to answer all your questions, and help guide you through the process. Good look and happy wedding-ing!