Choosing your photographer
- It can be hard to know where to start when looking for your wedding photographer. here’s some advice from me…because I learnt the hard way.
I hated our wedding photographs. I did not like our photographer and my husband did not gel with him at all. We have two photographs of our wedding in our house – the rest our hidden in the loft somewhere. When we returned to pick up our photos following our wedding, the photographer’s comment to my husband was “wow, your skin was terrible”. We also had to point out that he had provided us the wrong wedding photographs.
The reason I’m telling you this is because what happened is one of the reasons I chose the path of wedding photography for my photography career. I NEVER want a bride to feel the way I did, ever. I work my absolute socks off with every wedding I photograph in order to provide my couple with the most amazing memories of their wedding day. It’s exhausting but tiredness fades, memories last forever.
I’ve had 14 years to reflect on what happened and there is so much we could have done differently to prevent the end result being so jarring. It has taken 10 years as a photographer to learn, look back and reflect on where it went wrong, and to forge my career on creating new and beautiful memories for my couples. I really hope my advice helps you to make the right decisions for your wedding. Here you go!
1. Take the time to research different photographers, their approach and their style. Get to know them, meet them for a chat, ask them questions, look at their work. Not just one photo from a wedding but a collection of photographs. Not just for hot, summer weddings, look at how they deal with winter weddings, bad weather and different venues.
2. Meet your potential photographer for a chat. If they want your business they will take the time to talk with you. You have GOT to get to know them. The real them. You BOTH have to feel comfortable and relaxed in their company. If either of you felt uneasy then this is not the right photographer for you.
3. Make a list of must have photographs. Our photographer didn’t ask us for anything like this and we missed so many opportunities. I don’t even have a photograph with my mum. Making a list of non-negotiable group shots (10-15) will ensure your photographer captures your important photographs.
4. Plan for bad weather. There were definitely circumstances out of control- it rained all day. It was November. Opportunities were limited. But your photographer should have a backup. Yes it will have a different feel but at least you will still get those important shots.
5. Posing. Although I keep this to an absolute minimum when I photograph so that I can capture my couple as naturally as possible, there are times especially during the couple photographs that a little posing is needed. This prevents the all too common shoulder slouch , squint and robotic arms. I encourage movement and eye contact with each other – make sure your photographer factors this in when photographing you. Otherwise your photographs will consist of awkward and slouchy shots not worthy of a place on your mantle piece.
6. Lastly, remember, it is YOUR wedding. You should feel a million dollars. Your photographer should never, ever make comments that make you feel anything other than this. Meeting them prior to the day or ideally having an engagement shoot will mean you watch them in action and you can see for yourself how their words and actions sync.
I hope this helps you in your wedding journey.I would also like to point out that the above advice is now made after many years of experience. There has also been a seismic improvement in wedding photography advice & research thanks to social media. Not forgetting the vast improvement to photography equipment and editing. So this advice also comes as a direct result of these changes and a lot of reflection , growth and experience.
Lara xx
YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED!