Helpful information for your plans

How to choose a wedding photographer

First decide about the style of photography you like. Is it factual, straightforward, a record of what happened or a more romantic look. Use some wedding magazines if you aren’t sure what appeals to you and make a compilation of pictures you like, by tearing out some pages.  Then do a web search looking for something similar, but keep an open mind in case something jumps out at you as appealing.

Clearly the budget matters, but you should also decide if you like this person, or is there something about them that makes you feel uncertain? They will be with you for almost the whole day on a special basis, not like a guest you have to ask but want to avoid! They’ll be close to you and sharing quite intimate moments e.g. getting ready, having hair and makeup done, putting on your dress. Are they likely to make your day better or worse? Will they intrude and take over, or will they work hard to be unobtrusive while still getting the work done?

You can’t tell about that personal chemistry without meeting them so make sure they are willing to meet you and spend time listening carefully to what you want on the day and to remember afterwards.

Will they include an engagement shoot? How can you use the outputs of that?

The albums or other outputs from the photography are always important and you may have clear ideas or be waiting for them to take a lead. Make sure you like what is on offer, and it’s probably worth seeing at least two or three different people to be sure you get what you want and have had a chance to see different styles of album.

Ask lots of questions and be sure you feel confident in their answers and if anything bothers you either ask more or go somewhere else.

Finally do they have a contract with written Terms and Conditions so it’s clear what happens if things change? If not, find someone else.

What’s the point of an engagement shoot?

It’s a chance to try out being photographed together professionally before the wedding day
It’s an opportunity to get a photograph for stationery or for a sign in sheet
It’s a time to relax together for a couple of hours and have fun doing something new

It’s a great way to remove one of the anxieties about your wedding day – how will I look, will I be gorgeous?
Will the Groom be prepared to take part in photographs, will he smile, will he be stiff and awkward, will he be able to show his real personality in the pictures I want to keep forever to remember our special day?

Where does it take place?

That depends on what YOU want.
Is there a special place that means something to you?
Do you live near a lovely garden or palace or wild space with gorgeous flowers, bluebell wood or other part of the natural environment that matters to you?

I can make suggestions and have had some lovely location shoots for pre-wedding couples