What to look for in a Wedding photographer?

Bobmunkhouse

Bobmunkhouse

Bobmunkhouse

Associate
Joined
5 Nov 2005
Posts
2,188
Hi all

I'm getting married summer 2014 and was wondering what I should look for in a wedding photographer? I know I should look at a portfolio of work I guess but anything else?

Also any idea on cost? It would be the the whole day from 11am until 8pm I guess...

Thanks
 
Last edited:
I don't think this thread will last long since it could be seen as promoting business interests sadly but look at their work and see if the kind of pictures they offer are what you're after. Do you want someone who shoots traditional posed shots or someone more unique who shoots without being noticed, a candid shooter of sorts.

There are many out there but ultimately it always, always comes down to the fee.
 
Try to view the photos as a complete set from individual weddings.

Someone in the game for 10 years doing 50 weddings. A year even if they re terrible ill have amazed hundreds of great photos by chance. A great photographer will get lots of great photos in each and every wedding. Also, nothing stops photographers paying for stock photos to put n their web page portfolio, word of mouth is best. I you know a couple who like heir tog go and see their album.
 
D.P. said:
Try to view the photos as a complete set from individual weddings.

Someone in the game for 10 years doing 50 weddings. A year even if they re terrible ill have amazed hundreds of great photos by chance. A great photographer will get lots of great photos in each and every wedding. Also, nothing stops photographers paying for stock photos to put n their web page portfolio, word of mouth is best. I you know a couple who like heir tog go and see their album.
Click to expand...

This seems like a good plan and I did not think of it....thanks for advice
 
Like others have said.

1 – look at whole wedding edit, anyone can shoot 100 great photos from 100 different weddings.
2 – Look at the products on offer. Does the prices include disc of images. Are those images high resolution? Are they watermarked? Does he offer albums (if you want one), does he offer engagement shoots, does he offer online gallery, how long from shoot to delivery.
3 – Always try to meet before booking, you are working with him as much as he is working for you. Think of it as a collaboration so if he rude at the meeting then I wouldn't want to hire him, who knows what he will be like on the day (this is where word of mouth is critical, especially if someone seen him at work on the day, how he handle guests/situation)
4 – Do you like his style of photography? No point if he is cheap if you don't like the pictures.
5 – Other things to ask like does he have insurance (some venue would require photographer to have indemnity insurance), does he have a back up camera? (if he is professional, he should and you shouldn't need to ask what camera or lenses, if you like his work then the gear it is achieved with is irrelevant), what are his expenses for the day if any.
 
Also a professional will have a backup photographer or 2 in case he is sick or has an accident.

Also, one tip to see if someones really a professional or a weekend warrior is to ask if a weekday is OK. If they decline it is probably because they have some other profession M-F 9-5 and have a hobby photo business for pocket money on the weekends. Which may or may not be a big deal but the fact they have some other profession can cause issues. What if their full time employer suddenly demands that they work the weekend of your wedding, what if their employer at the last minutes needs to fly them out to some customer or conference, or simply there is a crisis and they have to work n the off to 4am the day of your wedding. There are also things like a a professional photographer can get to work editing the photos during the day times because that is their job - the weekend warriors will only have the evenings after a day in the office - this can affect quality and delivery times. Of course some professional outfits will even offload the processing work onto other employees within their business which further ensures quality and consistency.


Not that you can't or wont get amazing photos from hobbyists and weekend warriors, just there are risks involved. Don't get me wrong, many of the weekend wedding togs do work of the highest quality, far surpassing many professionals. The risk is when it comes down to the nitty gritty someones who is doing weeding photography to put food on their families table has some advantages over someone who may need to abandon a wedding at the last minute to keep their job that puts food on the table.
 
Last edited:
Raymond Lin said:
Like others have said.

1 – look at whole wedding edit, anyone can shoot 100 great photos from 100 different weddings.
2 – Look at the products on offer. Does the prices include disc of images. Are those images high resolution? Are they watermarked? Does he offer albums (if you want one), does he offer engagement shoots, does he offer online gallery, how long from shoot to delivery.
3 – Always try to meet before booking, you are working with him as much as he is working for you. Think of it as a collaboration so if he rude at the meeting then I wouldn't want to hire him, who knows what he will be like on the day (this is where word of mouth is critical, especially if someone seen him at work on the day, how he handle guests/situation)
4 – Do you like his style of photography? No point if he is cheap if you don't like the pictures.
5 – Other things to ask like does he have insurance (some venue would require photographer to have indemnity insurance), does he have a back up camera? (if he is professional, he should and you shouldn't need to ask what camera or lenses, if you like his work then the gear it is achieved with is irrelevant), what are his expenses for the day if any.
Click to expand...

Or her, there are plenty of female wedding photographers!
 
I'm a wedding videographer so have the "privilege" of working more with wedding photographers than any other supplier, and with that you see a huge range of working styles. Unfortunately it's not always a nice experience. We've filmed over 150 weddings to date and we only recommend about 10 photographers.

One of my biggest recommendations is to have an engagement shoot. Photographers are, unfortunately, a massive part of your day and I've worked with some that have very weird and annoying quirks - from shouting "kissy kissy" constantly to other such cringe-worthy moments and traits. You can see the bride, groom and all the guests grimacing but how were they to know if they didn't have a pre shoot? Alternatively, recommendations also help if you really don't want or can't afford a pre shoot.

I have nothing else to add that hasn't already been mentioned :).
 
Russinating said:
We've filmed over 150 weddings to date and we only recommend about 10 photographers.

One of my biggest recommendations is to have an engagement shoot. Photographers are, unfortunately, a massive part of your day.
Click to expand...

10 in 150 is pretty slim pickings, either you have particularly high standards or I underestimated how **** most wedding togs are.

+1 for engagement shoot.
 
An Exception said:
10 in 150 is pretty slim pickings, either you have particularly high standards or I underestimated how **** most wedding togs are.

+1 for engagement shoot.
Click to expand...

Yup, most are terrible, although about 40 of those would be filmed with the same 10 photographers. The last 8 weddings I filmed were with a photographer that we know who recommended us and my next 4 are too.
 
Bobmunkhouse said:
Thanks for all the advice everyone, loads to think about now!! I'm now more informed if still just as worried.....
Click to expand...

The reason why I asked for you're budget is because prices vary wildly and so does quality. If you can only afford £300 it makes what I'm about to say pointless. As you haven't disclosed this, I'll assume you have a decent budget and appreciate good/high quality photography.

Have a look through some wedding blogs and see which style/photographers you like.

Big blogs like 'Rock My Wedding' only publish work by photographers who meet a certain standard of photography, so it's very unlikely you'l book a cowboy if they have been featured on such blogs.
Obviously it's important to like the tog, so I would recommend a phone call at minimum.
Don't constrain yourself to photographers in you're local area (unless you live in London or something) as your choice of good photographers will be very limited. Besides most higher end togs will be used to travel.
 
Hi sorry yeah budget is not yet set but willing to pay up to £1000 if its really worth the cash..........I will make sure I meet whoever does it as its very important.....
 
Bobmunkhouse said:
Hi sorry yeah budget is not yet set but willing to pay up to £1000 if its really worth the cash..........I will make sure I meet whoever does it as its very important.....
Click to expand...

£1000 is a little low imo. If you get someone experienced the chances are they are not that good/talented but should be competant. If you find someone who's work is very good they are likely not that experienced but may have a natural talent and will likely be even better by the time they get to you're wedding.

If 1k is a hard limit, I would look to book the latter. However with that said, I wouldn't do anything before sitting down with you're partner and listing down the aspects of the wedding that are most important to you both.

There is no right or wrong order, but some will allocate budget on magicians, chocolate fountains, & cars etc. while others will think about what they are left with after the wedding, and will cut back in other areas to be left with pictures they love.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom