Top Ten Tips for choosing a Photographer
Tips on choosing a Wedding Photographer
Your Wedding Day is one of the most important days of your life, So you want a Photographer you can trust with the responsibility of capturing the memories of the day.
#1 ALWAYS MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER BEFORE BOOKING
Its is important that your wedding photographer is the right person for you and that vice versa so you feel at ease with him. Meeting before hand lets you get to know each other a little so on the day he doesn't feel like a complete stranger. A professional photographer should be happy to do this if they are not, then why not ?
We never take a booking with out first meeting up for an obligation free chat over a coffee to get to know each other before you decide to book.
#2 NEVER BOOK YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ON PRICE ALONE, YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT IT
I know its an old saying but it usually is true with photographers, you do tend to get what you pay for. So make sure they can deliver what they promise. I hear so many horror stories regarding cheap photographers not delivering on the day. A wedding is usually a weeks work for us, when you consider the pre-wed shoot the wedding full day then a day to edit the the pre-wed and 2-3 days to process the wedding, then their is the album design that can take 1-2 days also, and that is without the meetings etc.
#3 ARE THEY INSURED
Make sure whoever you choose is insured that should include both Professional indemnity and Professional Liability insurance.
You should also take out your own insurance to cover eventualities like venue cancellation etc.
#4 DO THEY HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE KIT OF EQUIPMENT
Imagine a photographer turning up to shoot your wedding with just one camera! It happens! Content providers typically only have 1 phone !
Then something goes wrong with that camera you are left with no photographs. Always make sure your chosen photographers has plenty of back up equipment to ensure if there is a problem with a piece of kit then they have back up equipment.
#5 WILL YOUR IMAGES BE POST PROCESSED AND EDITED PROPERLY
This is a reason some budget photographers can appear to be a bargain, because they give you unprocessed images straight out of camera. All digital images require post processing and enhancements of some kind and done properly this can add 2 to 3 days to the time spent actually working on your wedding
#6 DONT GET TIED DOWN WITH TOO MANY FORMAL GROUP SHOTS
Its always nice to have some formal groups shots, but try to limit these to no more than around 10. Plan them before hand and provide your photographer with a list, he wont have to worry you on the day asking which groups you want and this part of day will flow and allow you and your guests to get back to what you are there for to celebrate your day. Also provide the Photographer with someone that knows the guest and can call for the respective groups as required.
#7 BOOK YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER WELL IN ADVANCE
Don't leave booking your photographer until the last minute, allow plenty of time or you risk the disappointment of the photographer you really want already being booked on your date. So book early and save disappointment. Once the venue is booked, book the photographer.
#8 DON'T BOOK A PACKAGE ON HOURS
Beware of booking photographers that offer hourly based Package, with best will in the world thing can run behind at a wedding and if your photographer bases his packages on hours, he will want you to pay up to £200 an hour extra for him to stay on if their time is up and you haven't cut cake or had first dance.
We never book on hours, we are there to capture the whole day even if things run over we will still be there to make sure we have the full story of your day.
#9 PRE WEDDING OR ENGAGEMENT SHOOT
This is a great way to get to know your photographer a little more, it will also mean on the wedding day you will be more relaxed in the photographs.
Many photographer charge between £250 and £300 for a pre wedding or engagement shoot. We offer a free weekday pre wedding shoot with all our Storybook Packages.
#10 IS THE PHOTOGRAPHER FAMILIAR WITH YOUR CHOSEN VENUE
There are so many venues now available for you to choose from and it would be impossible for a photographer to have shot a wedding at every one of them, but you should make sure if they have not worked at your chosen venue before that they will visit it before the big day.
If we get a booking for a venue we have not shot at before, I always contact the wedding coordinator at the venue and make an appointment to visit the venue and have a good look around and familiarise myself with everything in readiness for your day