How to choose a wedding photographer
SOME SUBJECTS TO CONSIDER WHEN MEETING YOUR PROSPECTIVE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER.
WHAT STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
There are essentially three different styles of photograph:
CLASSICAL LOOK: groups of your friends and family and set up shots of the bride and groom in various locations
REPORTAGE STYLE (also known as photojournalism) which captures your day with images that are mainly candid, not posed and show the atmosphere and mood of the day. This style is becoming more popular with brides today.
CONTEMPORARY SHOTS: The photographer will look for an interesting setting and backgrounds for your images and create a more idealised set of Wedding photographs, when done correctly the results can be fantastic and you will have a unique and memorable album. Many Wedding Photographers use contemporary images to submit for awards and can look like the kind of images seen in glossy magazines.
IDEALLY YOU’LL WANT TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER THAT CAN CAPTURE BOTH STYLES.
Show the photographer some examples of photograph styles you like.
Bear in mind if you want wonderful romantic shots you will have to set aside some time in your day when you can be alone with the photographer in a quiet romantic setting and you will have to relax and trust the photographer when they are posing you.
DO YOU LIKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S PORTFOLIO?
Have a look at a wide selection of their work. Also look at a complete album, not just the best images from many different weddings.
DO YOU LIKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER?
Meet your prospective photographer and ensure that you feel comfortable around them. They will be sharing one of the most important days of your life and you will relax around someone you like and trust.
CAN YOU READ INDEPENDENT REVIEWS AND SPEAK TO PREVIOUS CLIENTS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER?
Make the effort to find out exactly what other people think of the photographer’s work and style. Do they blend in and appear smart? The photographer should not make anyone feel uncomfortable or hold up proceedings in any way.
CAN THE PHOTOGRAPHER WORK UNDER PRESSURE?
A wedding is enjoyable, and everybody wants the entire day to be perfect. You do not need a photographer that cannot cope with things that go a little awry. They should be relaxed and courteous at all times
DOES THE PHOTOGRAPHER HAVE PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE COVER?
Ensure they have taken out insurance to protect them and you against unexpected problems.
ARE THEY THE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHER IN THIS COMPANY? IF I HIRE THEM, AM I GUARANTEED THAT THEY WILL BE THE ONE SHOWING UP TO SHOOT MY WEDDING?
Make sure that the photographer you interview is the same one that will be at your wedding. You don’t want to go through the ordeal of interviewing and building up a relationship with your chosen photographer only to find out on the day it’s someone completely different!
I am the sole photographer and prefer to work alone - In the unlikely event of injury or sickness I will do my best to provide a qualified photographer with similar style to cover your wedding.
DO THEY OFFER TRADITIONAL AND REPORTAGE STYLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
I photograph the wedding as it happens, only stopping for set poses that you tell me you want beforehand. I really like to capture genuine emotions and details of the day. Although my style of photography is natural and relaxed for much of the day, I appreciate a small number of formal family photographs will be required. In order to keep the disruption to a minimum, I recommend approximately 6-8 groups, which should take no longer than 20 minutes. However, if you want a more extensive coverage simply ask me. I love shooting weddings and my clients tell me they feel relaxed and love their photographs
HOW MANY PHOTOGRAPHS WILL THEY TAKE ON THE DAY?
There is no limit to the number of photographs I take - I will take as many pictures as there are opportunities. The quantity will depend on the size of your wedding, the location and the weather.
DO THEY RETOUCH OR ENHANCE THE PICTURES?
All images are individually assessed for colour, brightness, contrast and straightened. I retouch and enhance all images where I feel necessary. I do not charge extra for this service.
DO WE GET TO KEEP ALL THE PICTURES?
You keep all the edited photographs that you chose for your album unless other arrangements are made.
WILL THEY VISIT THE VENUE BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY?
We get one chance at a wedding - everything happens so quickly and there can be so many details and emotions to catch. We cannot go back next week and try again. If I am not already familiar with the venue, then I will visit it at least once and meet anyone that can help me get to know exactly where I can and cannot go.
DO THEY WORK WITH A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER?
I prefer to work alone as I find it easier to blend into the background. In my experience guests become more aware that they are being photographed if there is more than one photographer around which can make them feel quite uncomfortable. This can be detrimental to the photographs.
WHAT KIND OF CAMERAS DO THEY USE?
I use Nikon digital cameras and accessories. I find them comfortable, reliable and tough.
IF THEIR PACKAGES ARE NOT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, WOULD THEY BE WILLING TO TRY TO CUSTOMIZE A PACKAGE THAT IS WITHIN YOUR BUDGET?
If my packages do not cover your requirements then I can put together a bespoke quote based on your needs and budget.
DO THEY HAVE PUBLIC LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY?
I have a £ 1,000,000 indemnity insurance cover
HOW DO WE BOOK YOU?
I will give you a bespoke quotation for your wedding. Once this is approved please complete a booking form and return this with a booking fee of £100 to secure and validate your day. I receive more enquiries per year than there are days available and this means I am unable to provisionally hold any date without payment of the booking fee, particularly Fridays and Saturdays. All dates are booked on a first come first served basis.
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS WHEN SELECTING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER WILL HELP YOU TO AVOID ANY UNWANTED SURPRISES ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY.
If you follow these simple steps, you will be able to enjoy your wedding day, leaving your photographer to capture images that you will cherish forever.
Please also see http://www.bipp.com/choose_a_wedding_photographer.html
I truly know how much you can spend on weddings and how many businesses are competing. Remember, when the dress is in the attic, your hair has been washed and let down, the cake has been cut, the limousine is back with the , the bouquets have long wilted and you have not seen some relatives and friends for months, the only record you will have of your wonderful day is the photos, whether they are in a beautiful album or images on a disc. Ensure you trust this to a professional photographer.
Despite putting so much into your special day, there will be so much that you will not see. Any photographer will get sharp shots of faces. A really excellent photographer will capture true emotions, the laughter, tears, guests arriving and meeting family, the nervous bride and groom before the ceremony, their faces as they see each other for the first time at the altar and the joy and relief immediately after they walk out into the 'sunshine', children playing, family congratulating and reuniting, details in the dresses and outfits, the splendour and magnificence of the whole occasion; the church, flowers, outfits, cars and the reception venue. Importantly these shots should be caught with the minimum disruption to the couple and guests throughout the entire wedding ceremony.
Photographing weddings is not just pressing the shutter button. Don't expect to negotiate a cheap price based on this preconception. Excellent wedding photographers are highly skilled professionals; it takes many years of practice to master this profession. They also need to constantly keep updated with changing fashion, new technology and equipment. Covering a wedding is not only about photography, it is appreciating how different ceremonies are conducted, being able to work with a large crowd and sometimes in stressful situations, knowing what to do when things go wrong and being able to work under various lighting and weather conditions and often with very little time to spare.
The work of the photographer does not end on the wedding day, preparing the images to be presented to the client and designing albums with style and class can take a lot of time. You will soon know if you are dealing with a respectful craftsman and you will be able to negotiate a package that ideally suits your needs.
To sum up, wouldn't you love your grandchildren to see pictures of you relaxed and happy on your wedding day?
WHAT STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
There are essentially three different styles of photograph:
CLASSICAL LOOK: groups of your friends and family and set up shots of the bride and groom in various locations
REPORTAGE STYLE (also known as photojournalism) which captures your day with images that are mainly candid, not posed and show the atmosphere and mood of the day. This style is becoming more popular with brides today.
CONTEMPORARY SHOTS: The photographer will look for an interesting setting and backgrounds for your images and create a more idealised set of Wedding photographs, when done correctly the results can be fantastic and you will have a unique and memorable album. Many Wedding Photographers use contemporary images to submit for awards and can look like the kind of images seen in glossy magazines.
IDEALLY YOU’LL WANT TO FIND A PHOTOGRAPHER THAT CAN CAPTURE BOTH STYLES.
Show the photographer some examples of photograph styles you like.
Bear in mind if you want wonderful romantic shots you will have to set aside some time in your day when you can be alone with the photographer in a quiet romantic setting and you will have to relax and trust the photographer when they are posing you.
DO YOU LIKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S PORTFOLIO?
Have a look at a wide selection of their work. Also look at a complete album, not just the best images from many different weddings.
DO YOU LIKE THE PHOTOGRAPHER?
Meet your prospective photographer and ensure that you feel comfortable around them. They will be sharing one of the most important days of your life and you will relax around someone you like and trust.
CAN YOU READ INDEPENDENT REVIEWS AND SPEAK TO PREVIOUS CLIENTS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER?
Make the effort to find out exactly what other people think of the photographer’s work and style. Do they blend in and appear smart? The photographer should not make anyone feel uncomfortable or hold up proceedings in any way.
CAN THE PHOTOGRAPHER WORK UNDER PRESSURE?
A wedding is enjoyable, and everybody wants the entire day to be perfect. You do not need a photographer that cannot cope with things that go a little awry. They should be relaxed and courteous at all times
DOES THE PHOTOGRAPHER HAVE PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE COVER?
Ensure they have taken out insurance to protect them and you against unexpected problems.
ARE THEY THE ONLY PHOTOGRAPHER IN THIS COMPANY? IF I HIRE THEM, AM I GUARANTEED THAT THEY WILL BE THE ONE SHOWING UP TO SHOOT MY WEDDING?
Make sure that the photographer you interview is the same one that will be at your wedding. You don’t want to go through the ordeal of interviewing and building up a relationship with your chosen photographer only to find out on the day it’s someone completely different!
I am the sole photographer and prefer to work alone - In the unlikely event of injury or sickness I will do my best to provide a qualified photographer with similar style to cover your wedding.
DO THEY OFFER TRADITIONAL AND REPORTAGE STYLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
I photograph the wedding as it happens, only stopping for set poses that you tell me you want beforehand. I really like to capture genuine emotions and details of the day. Although my style of photography is natural and relaxed for much of the day, I appreciate a small number of formal family photographs will be required. In order to keep the disruption to a minimum, I recommend approximately 6-8 groups, which should take no longer than 20 minutes. However, if you want a more extensive coverage simply ask me. I love shooting weddings and my clients tell me they feel relaxed and love their photographs
HOW MANY PHOTOGRAPHS WILL THEY TAKE ON THE DAY?
There is no limit to the number of photographs I take - I will take as many pictures as there are opportunities. The quantity will depend on the size of your wedding, the location and the weather.
DO THEY RETOUCH OR ENHANCE THE PICTURES?
All images are individually assessed for colour, brightness, contrast and straightened. I retouch and enhance all images where I feel necessary. I do not charge extra for this service.
DO WE GET TO KEEP ALL THE PICTURES?
You keep all the edited photographs that you chose for your album unless other arrangements are made.
WILL THEY VISIT THE VENUE BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY?
We get one chance at a wedding - everything happens so quickly and there can be so many details and emotions to catch. We cannot go back next week and try again. If I am not already familiar with the venue, then I will visit it at least once and meet anyone that can help me get to know exactly where I can and cannot go.
DO THEY WORK WITH A SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER?
I prefer to work alone as I find it easier to blend into the background. In my experience guests become more aware that they are being photographed if there is more than one photographer around which can make them feel quite uncomfortable. This can be detrimental to the photographs.
WHAT KIND OF CAMERAS DO THEY USE?
I use Nikon digital cameras and accessories. I find them comfortable, reliable and tough.
IF THEIR PACKAGES ARE NOT WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, WOULD THEY BE WILLING TO TRY TO CUSTOMIZE A PACKAGE THAT IS WITHIN YOUR BUDGET?
If my packages do not cover your requirements then I can put together a bespoke quote based on your needs and budget.
DO THEY HAVE PUBLIC LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY?
I have a £ 1,000,000 indemnity insurance cover
HOW DO WE BOOK YOU?
I will give you a bespoke quotation for your wedding. Once this is approved please complete a booking form and return this with a booking fee of £100 to secure and validate your day. I receive more enquiries per year than there are days available and this means I am unable to provisionally hold any date without payment of the booking fee, particularly Fridays and Saturdays. All dates are booked on a first come first served basis.
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS WHEN SELECTING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER WILL HELP YOU TO AVOID ANY UNWANTED SURPRISES ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY.
If you follow these simple steps, you will be able to enjoy your wedding day, leaving your photographer to capture images that you will cherish forever.
Please also see http://www.bipp.com/choose_a_wedding_photographer.html
I truly know how much you can spend on weddings and how many businesses are competing. Remember, when the dress is in the attic, your hair has been washed and let down, the cake has been cut, the limousine is back with the , the bouquets have long wilted and you have not seen some relatives and friends for months, the only record you will have of your wonderful day is the photos, whether they are in a beautiful album or images on a disc. Ensure you trust this to a professional photographer.
Despite putting so much into your special day, there will be so much that you will not see. Any photographer will get sharp shots of faces. A really excellent photographer will capture true emotions, the laughter, tears, guests arriving and meeting family, the nervous bride and groom before the ceremony, their faces as they see each other for the first time at the altar and the joy and relief immediately after they walk out into the 'sunshine', children playing, family congratulating and reuniting, details in the dresses and outfits, the splendour and magnificence of the whole occasion; the church, flowers, outfits, cars and the reception venue. Importantly these shots should be caught with the minimum disruption to the couple and guests throughout the entire wedding ceremony.
Photographing weddings is not just pressing the shutter button. Don't expect to negotiate a cheap price based on this preconception. Excellent wedding photographers are highly skilled professionals; it takes many years of practice to master this profession. They also need to constantly keep updated with changing fashion, new technology and equipment. Covering a wedding is not only about photography, it is appreciating how different ceremonies are conducted, being able to work with a large crowd and sometimes in stressful situations, knowing what to do when things go wrong and being able to work under various lighting and weather conditions and often with very little time to spare.
The work of the photographer does not end on the wedding day, preparing the images to be presented to the client and designing albums with style and class can take a lot of time. You will soon know if you are dealing with a respectful craftsman and you will be able to negotiate a package that ideally suits your needs.
To sum up, wouldn't you love your grandchildren to see pictures of you relaxed and happy on your wedding day?