After kissing a few frogs, you’ve finally found the love of your life and you’re engaged to be married, yayy! These should be some of the happiest days of your life as you plan your dream wedding and look forward to an awesome future side by side. But with wedding planning comes a lot of work and organisation. The stress that can come with planning the wedding of the year can turn even the calmest person into a Zilla! One of the items at the top of your wedding to-do list should be UK wedding photography. This guide to all things wedding photographers should really help you find the perfect professional for the images that fit you and your personality.
Great Images Are Important
You can’t deny the importance of high-quality wedding photography. This is your special day and having it all captured professionally from start to finish is the best way to remember your big day for years to come. These are the images you’ll be sharing with any potential small people you may bring into your family as they grow and want to see their parents/grandparents history. You only get one shot at wedding day photographs, and you want to make sure these photos are beautiful and represent everything special that happens on the day. Wedding photographers have the crucial task of capturing all the little moments between you and that weird person you’ve chosen to be weird with for the rest of your life, as well as the friends and family who have supported you both along the way. Even if you’re on a budget, stunning wedding photos are truly priceless, and it’s an investment you won’t regret, so long as you choose the right photographer for you.
Understanding Your Wedding Photography Style
One of the biggest things to keep in mind when choosing a wedding photographer is the style of photographs you’re looking for. This goes alongside the overall style and tone of your wedding. Are you going for something super intimate where the focus is on just you and your fiancé, or are you having a big bash full of grandeur with hundreds of awesome people? If it’s an intimate ceremony or even an elopement, you may want more snaps of you and your spouse, whereas a larger wedding might mean you prefer more photos with your wedding party and extended family. Have you thought about colours? Do you prefer bright, vivid wedding photographs or timeless black and white pictures? It may seem trivial but this is key to whether you will love your photos. The best wedding photographers in your area can work with you to determine your photography preferences and how you want your significant other and special guests to be captured on camera.
Detailed Photography Plans
Experienced wedding photographers will work with you to develop your wedding day photography plan. This includes a wedding day timeline for which photos will be taken and when. A wedding photographer is the best person to help you decide where your wedding photography will fit within your day. There will be a lot happening throughout, and you should be able to relax and focus on your marriage instead of worrying about the photographer doing their job. A photography consultation should include all of this information and more, so you can get a well-rounded idea of exactly what a prospective wedding photographer brings to the table for your ceremony and celebration.
Hire A Professional Wedding Photographer
Wedding photography should not be a rushed decision. After all, this is a once in a lifetime event! Don’t be afraid to take your time and talk to several possible photographers to find who best matches your style and plans for the wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions, and don’t be afraid to let them know when you’ve decided to hire someone else (a decent photographer will wish you well, thank you for letting them know and not leaving them hanging). Some other things you might want to consider when choosing a wedding photographer are personality and professionalism. You absolutely want a photographer you get along with and feel comfortable with. They will be closer to you during one of your most intimate moments than even your friends and family. They should be easy to talk to and approachable while also remaining respectful of you and your loved ones. Your wedding photographer needs to strike the right balance between sitting back and letting the wedding unfold naturally while also directing you, your fiancé, and your guests when necessary to ensure you get all the photographs you want.
What Is A Professional Wedding Photographer
Years ago, wedding photographers were typically only full-time professionals who covered weddings as their primary work. The development of technology and how accessible it is, opens the world up to a lot of people. This sometimes means family and friends volunteer to step in and attend as a guest and photographer during the day. As tempting as it is, especially if you are a bride on a budget, it’s not a good idea. Don’t forget that professional photographers have learned their skills over time and they are not just guessing at what shots to take. This will be one of (if not the most) important days of your life. And whilst uncle John may have the latest, top of the range DSLR camera and takes the most amazing landscape shots, those skills are not transferable to weddings. It is an extremely different kettle of fish. Throw in a few beverages – he is a guest as well after all – and that spells disaster. Always consider the importance of capturing your memories and whether using one of your guests will deliver a good result. Nearly everyone underestimates the work and skill that goes into capturing a beautiful story and there is no substitute for experience regardless of what your friend may think about their potential new role to cover your day. A wedding photographer not only takes images, they tell your story. They can anticipate moments and know exactly where the right place at the right time is – it’s not just guess work! Their attention is solely focused on you and telling that story. A professional knows when the registrar is about to grant the couple’s first kiss and is ready to capture it. Or that when the vicar asks the church if anyone present knows why the couple shall not be wed, the bride or groom will nervously glance to their guests behind them which then evokes laughter.
Deciding On Photography Packages
Your wedding photos will live on long after the last call at the bar and the last dance on the dance floor. All the best moments of the day will be lasting memories when expertly captured by a professional photographer you can trust. Before hiring a professional wedding photographer consider what type of coverage you will need. Most wedding photographers offer different packages tailored to your budget or may be willing to create you your own bespoke package. Do you just want photos of the ceremony through to the evening toasts? Or do you want your wedding photographer present from the time you start getting ready for the wedding to the very last dance? Ask about the photographer’s standard packages as well as any extra upgrades you might like such as engagement shoots, or a wedding album depending on what is important to you. On that note – please do consider having your photographer present at the bride or groom prep. In my experience some of the best moments come from this time and you’ll want to remember them.
A Few Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Photography
Quality wedding photography should bring your wedding together and help you remember the day from start to finish long after it’s over. The benefits of images captured by a professional photographer are powerful, but there are downsides if you choose the wrong photographer. What if your wedding photographer doesn’t do your wedding the justice it deserves and you’re left with below average photos that don’t give the emotional impact and reaction you were hoping for? The best photographer should capture every detail, from close-ups of that stunning embroidered detail on your wedding dress and the inscriptions on your cufflinks to the romantic glances of a couple madly in love. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to help with your photography search so you can find the ideal wedding photographer.
Wedding Photography Do's
- Make sure to lock in your venue and date before hiring a professional wedding photographer. Your venue and date are the most important thing and you aren’t likely to be able to book any other suppliers without having these first. Most professionals require confirmation of the venue and start time for the contract and to put your date on the calendar.
- Check out several photography portfolios. Look through photos online and from friends that you know. See what you like and don’t like, and then check out portfolios and see how they stack up. You need to be 100% sure of what you love before making any decisions. If you see photos that you love and reflect what you envision for your big day, this could be the wedding photographer for you.
- Ask all your questions. These can include questions about their experience, how many photos you will receive and how they will be planning to approach the day. Your wedding photographer will have one of the most important jobs on your big day, and they should want to understand what you want to achieve as a couple. You should feel comfortable to ask any questions and bring up any concerns. It’s your wedding day after all!
- Do consider having your wedding photographs put into a wedding album. There is no better feeling then being able to physically hold your images. Plus they are a great way to relive your day.
Wedding Photography Don'ts
- Make sure you don’t wait until the last minute to look at a photographer. If professional photography is a must for your wedding, then this should be a priority after you find your venue. Many photographers take bookings more than a year in advance, and the closer it is to your wedding day, the higher the chances are your preferred photographer is already booked by other couples. And believe me when I say that one of the last things you want when it comes to your wedding photography, is to end up with a photographer who you don’t mesh with or worse, their photography style does not match your style.
- Underestimate the importance of getting classic shots of the wedding throughout the day. You’re paying for a photography service and they should be extremely thorough in your wedding day coverage. Even if it feels cheesy, you may look back and wish you had posed for that signature couple shot or first look in your dress. The first kiss and first dance really are prime examples.
- Forget to make a list of photo requirements. Just start by noting down a few ideas and go from there. It will be a huge help to both you and your photographer if you jot down the different individual and group photos you want to see. Do you want a photo with all your cousins on each side? Or do you just want to focus on your immediate family? Would you like a group photo with all of your family and friends? If there’s anything you absolutely want capturing on camera, don’t be shy in communicating that to your wedding photographer. Unless you tell them, they won’t know you want it. although I think it is important to know that every single shot you want may not be possible. A professional wedding photographer should make every possible effort to get those shots for you, but things on the day may prevent it happening such as lack of time or the great british weather!
Wedding Photography Is Important
If this blog has inspired you to start your wedding photography journey, please get in touch via the contact page to discuss your dream photo requirements! As a professional wedding photographer, I’ll capture the beautiful story of your perfect wedding day to look back on in years to come.