Getting the right wedding photographer is super important - these photographs are something to be treasured for the rest of your lives, you’re going to want to LOVE them.

Ideally you want to find the wedding photographer that makes you feel comfortable and confident with them from the start of the day as you get ready, to walking down the aisle, all the way through the speeches to the celebration with your loved ones. 

But you also want a photographer who will capture your own unique style, your vision, your guests and the emotion of your special day. That’s why we’ve pulled together these simple steps to help you find the perfect wedding photographer who works for YOU!

 

 

 

 

 

Do your research

You’ve probably already been looking at loads of wedding photos but now is the time to take things up a notch.

Instagram and Pinterest are great ways to get a feel for different types of photography. What stands out to you? Think about your venue, what kind of photos would work best there?

You’ll soon start to see how different wedding photographers approach their subjects - note the couples that look the most relaxed and comfortable. Save them in your favorites. 

Start creating a shortlist of the wedding photographers you like. Research their websites so you discover a little more about them. Read the testimonials from other couples and check out their portfolios.

It really is worth spending time on this research phase to find the perfect person for your special day.

 

What style of wedding photography do you like?

Staring misty eyed into the distance, cuddled up together or laughing your heads off - you’ll notice lots of different styles of wedding photos once you start your research. 

Again, make a note of the ones you love the most.

Do you prefer candid, relaxed, laughing, classic, a mix of color and black-and-white, artistic, contemporary? There are lots of styles to choose from! Here is a quick guide:

Reportage or Photojournalistic Wedding Photography is about capturing candid moments, it’s less posed and more spontaneous.

Contemporary Wedding Photography is for couples who want their images to be striking art pieces; unique shots for fashion- focused couples. If you have a strong vision in mind you’ll want to work with the photographer closely on this. 

Classic Wedding Photography is more traditional; your wedding photographer will get group shots and posed shots that are beautiful, well lit and in the perfect locations around your venue.

Don’t forget, there are other ways to capture photos at your wedding - what about all the photos that your mates and your family take on their cell phones? Never Miss Moments offer a really cool way to collect all of these really easily by creating a simple QR code for you to share with all your guests. In just one click, they can upload their photos so you can re-live all those tiny moments from different view points from your special day. Find out more about the benefits of QR code galleries here.

Set your budget 

 

Before you go any further - it’s time to talk about budget. What have you set aside for the wedding photographer? 

There can be a big difference in costs when it comes to different photographers and packages, so think about what you would be happy to pay for your wedding photographer. It’s a hugely important job, to capture your wedding forever, that’s why we have to get this right. 

Read up on the average wedding photographer costs ahead of time so you are prepared. Ask your friends what they paid. Make sure you have a strong idea of what works within your budget. 

Remember you don’t have to spend loads of money on the wedding photographer to come away with awesome photos. 

Most wedding photographers have a variety of packages they offer, usually based on how many hours they’ll stay, so you have options. For example, if your photographer is leaving at 7pm, you can always rely on the photos that your friends capture on the dancefloor throughout the party by using an online QR code gallery like Never Miss Moments. 

Reach out to some of your favorite wedding photographers

 

Okay so by now you have an idea of your vision, you know your budget and you know what you like. Create a shortlist of your preferred wedding photographers and get in touch.

The first question always needs to be if they are available on your wedding date. 

It’s also worth checking if your favorite wedding photographers know your chosen venue. It’s not a deal breaker, but it can be very useful when discussing the space, the grounds, the light etc.

Then you should set up some meetings with your preferred ones.

A video call is a great way to meet, to ask them questions and discover how well you get along. See how you and your partner feel about them - do they put you at ease? The more relaxed you are around your wedding photographer, the more natural and relaxed your photos will be. Do you get a good vibe?

It’s important to discuss how they work; will it actually be them shooting the wedding? Will there be a second shooter? It is a good idea to talk about your vision and share other wedding photos that you have seen and really love. 

It would also be helpful at this early stage to state your concerns upfront - maybe you're camera shy or dislike a certain angle - let them know. 

You can discuss the specifics of your venue and highlight any particular ideas you may have already. Your wedding photographer should listen to your thoughts, ask plenty of questions and provide you with more ideas that make you both feel excited about working with them. 

Get the prices of the ones you start to gel with. How do they work with your budget? Hopefully by now your shortlist is getting quite short.

Book an engagement shoot

 

The best way to truly get to know your favorite wedding photographer is by booking an engagement shoot. It’s not essential, especially if budget is tight, but it really is the best way to truly get to know them. You will be so much more comfortable on the day if you have already spent time with them. You will all benefit from the experience of working together, and they will begin to understand what you like and how you both best respond to direction.

And if it doesn’t work out, you have time to go back to Number 2 on your list!

Book them!

Hopefully you will have a really good feeling after your meeting (and potentially your test shoot.) It should feel natural and exciting at this stage. Do confirm and book them and send your deposit quickly - it would be disappointing to lose the right wedding photographer after you’ve found them!

Once you have found the perfect wedding photographer, let your guests help capture even more memories

 

So once you have booked your professional wedding photographer, don’t forget to organize an online gallery to capture all the memories from your friends and family. Now time to practice that smile - enjoy!