How to choose your Wedding Photographer
Choosing your wedding photographer is probably up there with one of the most important parts of your wedding day. Not only are they there to capture the memories but they also play a big part in keeping nerves at bay, reading the room, ensuing the day runs to timeline, and also making everyone comfortable in front of the camera, and of course brining the energy you need on your wedding day.
Below are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your wedding photographer.
Look beyond their instagram!
Instagram is a great place to start, from location scouting wedding photographers, are they based in Newcastle, Sydney, Brisbane, Byron Bay? How far away are they from the wedding location, can they travel that far, how many weddings do they take on per year, do I love their style? But beyond instagram check out their website and don’t be afraid to reach out to your wedding photographer of interest and ask to see a couple of full galleries.
Do they align with your style?
Ask wedding photographers how they like to work on the day. Some may love giving lots of direction, where as others may give very little; neither is better than the other, it just depends what you and your partner prefer. Do you mostly want candid shots, or would you like direction to achieve an image that is more fashion focused, or are you into photos that feel a little more traditional? Like couples, us wedding photographers bring something a little unique to our work and the galleries we create. Personally I love all the above, in a way that feels organic to my couples, I choose to hold space differently for each wedding depending on what feels right.
Jump on the phone.
Emails are a good starting point when it comes to initial enquiry. So once you know your photographer of interest fits within your budget, organise a phone call or zoom to have a chat about what you can expect and if your energy aligns.
Ask for recommendations.
Word of mouth is probably once of the safest ways to know if you’re moving in the right direction, however that’s not to say you shouldn’t book someone if you’re not getting all the feels. Go with your instincts.
Consider an engagement shoot.
This is a great way to not only meet with your wedding photographer and get a feel for how they work but also it’s a glorious way to knock the nerves and feel confident in front of the camera come wedding day. Many of my couple are based all around Australian and Europe, in this case , usually I can T-up a stop over somewhere on my travels close to them, or they come to Newcastle to spend an afternoon floaty taking photographs. If none of this suits, zoom is the best for a hello.
Clarify Costs and Inclusions.
What do their packages look like, what is the final product, how much is travel, does it include a second shooter, do they need a second shooter, what is your turn around time, will I get a preview? Most of these questions will be included in your initial conversation, but if they aren’t, best to ask so there are no last minute surprises.
Trust your gut!
You’ll know when you’ve found your person. You choose to marry them. It’s the same way you know when you’ve found your wedding photographer, you don’t marry them of course, but like your person, you know when it feels right.