How To Find Your Perfect Wedding Photographer
There are lots of wedding photographers in your area. Some have been established for years, some with just a year or two of wedding work but years experience of using a professional camera, and others have only just picked up a semi- professional digital camera because well-meaning friends and family say their photo’s are good and they should start doing it for money. And what separates the good photographer from the bad? Price? Experience? The ability to put people at ease? A good director of people? Or a mixture of all? You are choosing someone who will give you images that are going to last a lifetime. The photo's (and video) will be the most accurate memories of your special day. You need to choose a good wedding photographer.
Too often people complain about their wedding photographer. An American survey found that the complaints fall into three or four categories. The biggest is that the photographer takes too long to edit your images and give you them. I personally know someone who ended up waiting over a year for their images. The second is poor communication with the couple. Some just take a booking, send a contract, take a deposit, and do nothing till the wedding day. A good photographer will ask questions to find out what you like and don’t like, how many guests are attending, how many bridesmaids there are, the basic timetable for the day, the important guests that need photographing and things like that. Thirdly (and often combined with the fourth reason), it's that the photos weren’t good. This is often a subjective view, as what one person likes, another hates (and that’s not just with photography), but usually it’s things like out of focus images (even if it’s just slightly out), too dark, too bright, the colours looking odd, and similar grievances. The fourth reason, is not getting what the couple wants. This could be the photographic style, shots that weren’t taken, not getting many images, the wrong photo’s in the album, and similar things like that.
So how do you find your perfect photographer?
1). Throw out any preconceived ideas you have.
Just because something seems a good idea, doesn’t make it a good idea, and just because the guests at your cousin’s wedding enjoyed jumping in the air for a photo, it doesn’t mean your guests will be in the mood to do that. And just because you like a particular style of wedding photography, it doesn’t mean it will suit you.
2). Ask your married friends.
This is not just about the photos, it’s about the whole day. How did it go? Did it run smoothly? Were they running around trying to get 101 things done? Did the photographer direct everyone correctly, or did they end up with a friend. or themselves, doing that? Did they have good communication with their photographer? Did he respond to your messages or calls quickly? Did he have a back-up plan in case of bad weather? What did they pay? What did they get for the money? Did they get other quotes, and how much were they? And ask them not just if they were happy with the service, but what they would have done differently.
Then there are the actual photographs. This time, it’s not what they think, but what you think. Do you like them? Or would you prefer another style of photography? Ask as many people as possible.
3). Look at as many local photographers’ websites as possible.
You want to see a lot of images there. I have over 150 images on my site you can look at. Some photographers have just a few, others have plenty. You need to see several different styles from them. On my site I have several different styles, including: Colour, Black and White, Vintage, Vignette, Candid (or un-posed or informal & relaxed), Fun, Formal (the group shots etc.), and intimate session (usually Bride & Groom alone in a pretty location), to give you some ideas. Some present it all in a Reportage style, which is usually from the start of coverage till the end of coverage in which simply but beautifully tells the story of your big day. Ignore price for now, you are interested in whether or not you like their work.
Why I tell you to ignore price at the moment is because what might surprise you is that many of the photographers charging £3-£400.00 will have portfolios that equal or even better (and I have seen this as I view a lot of my competitors work) than those charging say £1,000. In London and the south for average prices will be double those quoted. So it does pay to shop around a lot.
4). Decide Exactly what you want and don't want.
Do you need ceremony only coverage, from preparations to end of wedding breakfast/first dance, or whole day coverage? Do you have any cultural requirements? If you want coverage of both the Bride and Groom’s preparations, you’ll need a company that will supply two photographers. If it’s not important, just make do with bridal preparations. If your venue is several hours away from where you live, it might be better to hire a photographer close to the venue. Do you want your photographer to supply your finished album(s) or will you get your own done? Do you prefer a certain style, such as Vintage, Doccumentary, Candid or Natural? And are there styles or types of photography you don't want? Generally, where an album is included it’s a lot more expensive. You can buy your own albums online (even the ones photographers use} and get your images printed yourself a lot cheaper, but you have to do it all yourself, which can be time consuming. You may find getting a photographer to do it all for you less stressful.
5) Draw Up A Short List.
So you’ve found several photographers that you like. You’ve looked at their portfolios, checked their prices and seen what they offer. Make a list of at least 5 or 6 who you really like. Go on the whole package, not just the price.
6). Talk to them all.
Don’t just do it by e-mail alone. A good photographer will return your enquiries within 24-48 hours. If they ask you to ring, get a suitable time to call, and if they are too busy to talk when you call. then give them a second chance, and if they are still too busy, forget them. The same goes if they are supposed to be contacting you. If they don’t, contact them to rearrange. A good business should call when you ask them. If they are constantly late doing this, will they be late for your wedding? Whilst you might think conducting things by email is a sensible idea, it’s only by talking to someone that you get a proper feel for them. You can build up a rapport through a telephone or face to face conversation. The latter is recommended. This is because I would expect a good photographer to show you examples of their work on a computer or laptop, or even physical prints. Don’t be pressured into saying “Yes” at your first meeting with any photographer, but say something like “ I’ll seriously consider booking you” or “I’m looking at several other photographers as well as you, I’ll be in touch if I decide to use you.” If you need to be, be honest, but not brutal.
7). Choose the one you have the best connection with.
Talking with each photographer will have given you a feel for them, and whoever you feel best suits your requirements and budget. Don’t book unless you are sure they can deliver what you want them to deliver. Now it’s up to you to fully discuss exactly what you need with your chosen photographer. It’s a two way thing. You need to let him know what you require from him. This can be specific photographs of certain people, a certain editing style, keeping to an agenda, or other things. Add this as a term in the contract you sign. I used to be a mobile D.J. and I can tell you lots of stories of wedding parties going wrong for all sorts of reasons. One example I will give is one engagement party in the 90's where the young couple asked that I play all modern dance music. However, the invited guests kept requesting party songs, Motown, and a similar mixture. When I was playing requests the floor was full, but playing what the couple wanted emptied most of the dancefloor. The guests had a whale of a time, but the couple hadn't got what they wanted all night and were unhappy, so be specific and tell your photographer what you want. And make sure you do sign and return the contract with the photographer, so if he lets you down, you have legal rights. Don't leave it to a simple "I'll pay you on the day." You won't have any comebacks. Book directly with your photographer, not an agent, so you don't get sent a subsitute should an agency decide to send someone else, and make sure they have two full sets of equipment, in case of failure. I have two full sets.
Make sure you have a bad weather back up plan as most photographers will have a disclaimer in their contract which renders them not liable for this. For example, if your wedding is at a stately home and you want the group shots taken in the grounds of the house, will they let you use a room for this in the event of rain?
8). Appoint a liaison.
This could be your wedding planner (if you have one on hand on the day), Best Man, Chief Bridesmaid, or other trusted friend. Their duty will be to arrange that people are in the right place at the right time, and that Aunty Maureen and Uncle Bob aren’t having a cuppa when they should be in the group photographs. And they will also be responsible for ensuring that the little things, such as the knife for the cake cutting haven’t been forgotten. Sorry Guys, but women are usually better at this than men.
Following these guidelines should help ensure that things go smoothly on your big day. To see why I'm passionate that you should book Colin Anthony for your wedding, click here.