10 Steps to Choosing your Perfect Wedding Photographer

Planning your wedding day is such an exciting journey! You've already accomplished so much from securing your dream venue, setting the date, finalising the guest list, picking out your favorite flower arrangements, and choosing that show-stopping cake. Now it's time to find the perfect wedding photographer to capture all those magical moments. To make this process easy and enjoyable for you, we've put together a 10-step guide that will help you find your ideal photographer.

Step 1: Determine Your Preferred Photography Style:
Before diving into your search, take a moment to reflect on the photography style that speaks to your heart. Do you lean towards traditional, candid, documentary, or artistic photography? Knowing your preferred style will help you focus on photographers who align with your vision.

Traditional Wedding Photography:

This style focuses on posed and formal shots, capturing the key moments of the wedding day in a classic and timeless manner.

Candid Wedding Photography:

In contrast, candid photography aims to capture natural and spontaneous moments throughout the day, with minimal posing or interference from the photographer. The goal is to capture genuine emotions and unscripted moments.

Documentary Wedding Photography:

This style takes a photojournalistic approach, capturing the wedding day as it unfolds. The photographer aims to tell a compelling story through candid shots, documenting the events and emotions without directing or interrupting the flow of the day.

Artistic Wedding Photography:

Lastly, artistic photography emphasises the photographer's creativity and unique vision. It often involves incorporating unconventional angles, creative lighting, and post-processing techniques to create visually stunning and memorable images.

Step 2: Consider Post-Production Preferences:
Post-production is where the magic of editing happens. Talk to potential photographers about the editing styles you like. Sharing examples you admire will help them understand your vision. Whether you love a light and airy aesthetic or prefer dark and moody vibes, clear communication is key!

Light and Airy tend to have a brighter, more airy look with soft palettes that add a whimsy feeling to your wedding photographs.

Dark and moody images on the other hand embrace the contrast between highlights and lowlights to create dramatic images these images tend to be bold warmer and richer in colour. 

Step 3: Set Your Budget:
Establishing a budget for your photographer is a must! Remember, wedding photography is a lasting investment that captures memories for years to come. Factor in coverage duration, print options, and any additional costs, food, travel, and accommodation. ensuring you’re comfortable with the overall investment. Remember its finding the right balance between cost and quality to ensure you have beautiful memories to cherish.

Step 4: Begin Your Search Early:
Timing is everything! Start your search for a wedding photographer as early as possible. Popular photographers often get booked up to a year in advance, so give yourself ample time to find the perfect match.

Step 5: Review Their Full Portfolio:
Take the time to explore the photographer's portfolio. Look for consistency in their work and see if their style aligns with your vision. Checking out a full collection from a single wedding day can give you great insight into how they handle different moments.

Step 6: Schedule an Engagement Shoot:
If you’ve found a photographer you love, consider booking an engagement shoot! This fun experience allows you to get a feel for their style and working approach before the big day, helping you feel more at ease. Check out our engagement shoots for inspiration

Stephen and Vicky James and Faye

Step 7: Schedule a Meeting:
Set up a meeting with potential photographers to discuss your vision. It’s all about connection! Building rapport is essential for a comfortable and collaborative experience on your wedding day.

Step 8: Assess Their Experience:
Don’t hesitate to ask about the photographer's experience with weddings. It’s great to know they’ve handled occasions similar to yours, whether it's an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration or even low-light venues.

This wide-angle shot captures the enchanting atmosphere of a winter wedding at St. Mary's Church. The ceremony is bathed in the warm glow of candlelight which is the only light source, creating a low-light setting that adds to the intimacy and romance of the occasion. The soft illumination highlights the architectural details of the church while casting a magical spell over the scene.

Step 9: Verify Their Equipment:
Ensure the photographer uses professional-grade equipment and has backup gear ready just in case. You want to feel confident that they’re prepared for anything!

Step 10: Trust Your Gut Instinct:
Finally, trust your instincts! After going through these steps, you’ll likely have a photographer who stands out to you. Follow your intuition, choose the one who feels just right for you and aligns with your vision. Your gut feeling is your best guide!

By following these 10 steps, you'll be well-equipped to choose the right wedding photographer to capture your special day exactly as you've envisioned.

If you're seeking a candid wedding photographer to document your day as it naturally unfolds, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're excited to hear more about your wedding day plans. Contact us.

All the images are under the copyright of Paused Motion Photography