Choosing your wedding photographer can feel like quite a personal decision. You’re looking at photographs and comparing packages, but you’re also choosing someone who will be alongside you during some emotional, exciting and occasionally rather busy moments. It’s understandable to want to feel sure you’ve found the right person.
I’m Emma Lowe, a full-time wedding photographer based in Rugby, Warwickshire, working across the Midlands. When I speak with couples, our conversation is about much more than a collection of pictures. We talk about the day they’re planning, the people who matter to them and how they feel about being photographed.
If you’re still comparing photographers, I hope the thoughts below help you find an approach you feel comfortable with. You don’t need to have every detail decided before starting a conversation.
Think about how you would like the day to feel
Some couples look forward to their portraits and have plenty of ideas they would like to explore. Others tell me that they feel awkward in front of a camera and mainly want to enjoy their guests without thinking too much about the photographs. You may find yourselves somewhere between the two, or each have a slightly different preference.
That is useful to talk about early. A photographer’s approach affects your experience as well as the finished gallery, so it helps to understand when they will work quietly and when they will offer direction.
My own approach combines candid coverage with gentle guidance for portraits and a clear plan for family photographs. We can make time for the classic pictures you would love while leaving plenty of room for the wedding to unfold naturally.
Look at a wedding as a whole
A portfolio is a lovely introduction to someone’s work, but a fuller wedding selection can help you imagine what your own gallery might include. Alongside the striking portraits, you’ll see how the photographer handles the ceremony, family groups, speeches and all the smaller moments between them.
It can be particularly useful to look at weddings with something in common with your plans, whether that is a church ceremony, a winter reception or an intimate celebration. The photographer doesn’t necessarily need to have worked at your exact venue, but you should feel comfortable with their ability to photograph the kind of day you’re planning.
For example, Ash and Mary’s wedding moved from their church ceremony at Princethorpe to a reception at the Saxon Mill. There was a short window for the main group photograph before travelling, followed by couple portraits at the reception. Seeing those different parts together gives a fuller picture of my work than one portrait on its own.
Use style descriptions as a starting point
Words such as documentary, traditional, editorial and fine art can help describe photography, although they aren’t always used in precisely the same way. You may love some images without knowing which category they belong to, and that is perfectly fine.
If you show a photographer the pictures you’re drawn to, they should be able to explain how they create them and how that approach would fit into your wedding. You can also ask about photographs you feel less comfortable with, particularly if you would prefer very little posing or have a specific editing style in mind.
My guide to wedding photography styles explains the main terms, including approaches I don’t offer. For a more personal introduction to how I photograph a wedding, you can read my approach and style.
Talk about the practical experience behind the photographs
Wedding days have their own rhythm, and even carefully planned celebrations sometimes need a little flexibility. A conversation about changing weather, family groups or a later-than-expected ceremony can help you understand how a photographer responds when things move around.
At Celine and Samuel’s Bourton Hall wedding, afternoon showers meant moving the family photographs to the indoor staircase. Once the weather cleared, we could enjoy the grounds for their couple portraits. Those adjustments are part of photographing a real wedding, and it helps to feel that your photographer will talk you through them calmly.
You’re also welcome to tell me about anything you’re worried about. Perhaps you dislike having your photograph taken, have a complicated family arrangement or are wondering how to fit everything into the afternoon. My guide to planning your wedding photography gives you a sense of how we can work through those questions together.
Compare what is included in the coverage
Budget matters, and it’s much easier to compare packages when you understand what each one includes. Coverage hours, travel, albums, the way photographs are delivered and the support offered before the wedding can all differ. A higher or lower price on its own won’t tell you whether a photographer is right for your plans.
Before booking, you should feel clear about the agreed coverage, payment arrangements, expected delivery times and what happens if an unforeseen problem prevents your photographer attending. Having those details in writing gives you something straightforward to refer back to.
My wedding photography prices and packages explain what I offer. If you aren’t sure how much coverage would suit your day, we can talk through the ceremony and reception timings before you decide.
Give yourselves a chance to get to know each other
A conversation can tell you things that a website cannot. You can explain what you’re excited about, ask the questions that have been on your mind and get a sense of whether you feel listened to. You don’t need to prepare a polished brief or know all the answers.
I want my couples to feel comfortable speaking openly with me. If there is a photograph that means a great deal to you, I’d love to know. Equally, if there is something you would rather avoid, we can discuss that too. Feeling understood beforehand makes it much easier to relax when the wedding arrives.
Reviews can offer another perspective on that experience. If you would like to hear from couples who have booked me, you can read their feedback on my Emma Lowe Photography Bridebook profile.
Finding someone whose work feels right for you
As you look through galleries, imagine the people you love in those photographs. Does the balance of candid moments, portraits and family pictures appeal to you? Can you picture feeling comfortable with that approach on your own wedding day?
You’re welcome to explore my recent weddings at your own pace. If you enjoy what you see, I’d love you to get in touch with your date and venue so we can have a relaxed conversation about your plans.