Amazing wedding photography doesn’t happen by itself. It requires the expert knowledge of a professional, and all-important cooperation with the bride and groom to complete the album that’ll document one of the most special days of your lives.
Your wedding photographer will have the responsibility to determine which moments of the day will live longest in the memory. That’s why you’ll naturally want to do all you can to reassure yourself that you’ve picked the right one during the wedding planning process. One of the most important qualities to look for in your wedding photographer is a range of experience. To determine whether or not they have this, you’ll want to consider how long they’ve been in the profession, and how familiar they are with your chosen venue.
Of course, experience isn’t the only thing to consider when finalising your photographic arrangements, but it can be reassuring to know your chosen professional’s credentials in this department. So, how can you ensure that your wedding snaps are left in the hands of an experienced lensman? Read on to find out.
Ask the right questions
Wedding photography packages come in all different shapes and sizes, so it’s important to know what you’re signing up for before exchanging any contracts. To whittle down any of your wedding vendors, ensure you’ve equipped yourself with a list of questions that will help you determine their suitability for the role. When it comes to your photographer, there are several key subjects you’ll want to cover during a consultation, that’ll give you more information about their level of experience. These could include their familiarity with your venue, the process for receiving your photos and their preferred photography style.
As well as garnering specific information from the questions you ask, just by talking to prospective vendors, you’ll be able to build up a clearer understanding of their experience levels, so it’s important not to miss out on the opportunity of a consultation.
Read reviews from other couples
Just as you would before using any new company or service, it’s always a good idea to read up on customer reviews, to corroborate what you’ve found out from the vendor themselves. Of course, if you have any friends or family members who were recently married, they’re often a great place to start. Particularly if they’re local to you, ask them about their photographer and whether they were happy with the service.
Beyond that, photographers know that reviews are a powerful marketing tool, so most will be happy to share them on their website or other digital channels. They may even be able to put you in touch with former clients, giving you the opportunity to get a better idea of what to expect from their service.
Review their portfolio
To get a true picture of their style and proficiency, it’s important to check over the portfolios of any photographers that make your shortlist. Rather than making a judgement on the homepage of their website (which is likely to only showcase the most pristine examples of their work), request to see full wedding albums, so you can get a sense of how yours could turn out. Although they may be harder to come by, if you can see any albums of photos that were taken at the same venue as yours, this will give you an even better understanding of what you can expect from your photographer on the day.
Don’t make any snap judgments
To ensure you’ve made the right choice, take as much time as you need to find the perfect match for you. Whether you’re looking for luxury wedding photography or a more candid, laid-back style, make sure you clearly communicate with prospective vendors throughout the process, and you’ll be sure to come away with an album to cherish forever.