Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding. Over the years, as a full-time Warwickshire wedding photographer, I’ve answered hundreds of questions from couples about wedding photography, wedding planning and what to expect on the day itself. Here are some of the questions I’m most frequently asked.
What Makes A Great Wedding Photograph?
This is a question I love because, in my experience, the best wedding photographs are rarely the most technically complicated, equally its not necesarily captured by the best photographer either, but it’s certainly more likely.
Of course, understanding cameras, lenses, lighting and timing is important. As a professional wedding photographer, those things are simply part of my job. But when couples look back through their photographs years later, they are rarely talking about camera settings. They are talking about memories.
For me, a great wedding photograph captures a feeling. It might be laughter during the speeches, a proud parent holding back tears, grandparents sharing a moment together, or a couple simply enjoying a quiet few minutes away from the celebrations.
That is why I describe my style as natural, elegant and timeless. I want your photographs to feel genuine and authentic, not overly posed or heavily edited.
The best wedding photographs transport you back in time. They remind you how the day felt, who was there, what made you laugh and what made your wedding uniquely yours.
At the end of the day, great wedding photography is not really about photography at all. It is about people, relationships, emotions and memories.
What Mistakes Do Couples Most Commonly Make With Wedding Photography?
The biggest mistake couples make is usually not a photography mistake at all. It is a planning mistake.
One of the most common things I see is couples not allowing enough time in their schedule, this is why I’m always so hot on discussing this and stress testing your timings using my experience. Wedding days almost always run a little differently to the plan. Hair and makeup can overrun, guests can disappear at exactly the wrong moment, and family photographs often take longer than expected.
Another common mistake is worrying too much about posing. Most couples tell me during their consultation that they don’t enjoy having their photograph taken. The good news is that you are not expected to know what to do. That’s my job. I will guide you, help you relax and make the whole experience feel far more natural than you probably expect. If I do my job well, you’ll have loved the entire wedding photography experience.
I also think some couples spend too much time comparing photographers on price alone. Whilst budget is obviously important, personality, experience and photography style are often much more important factors. After all, your photographer is with you for a large part of one of the biggest days of your life.
The final mistake is worrying too much about perfection. Weddings are wonderfully unpredictable. Some of the best photographs and funniest memories come from the moments nobody planned.
My advice is simple. Plan well, allow enough time, trust your photographer and focus on enjoying your wedding day.
What Advice Would You Give To A Couple Booking Their First Wedding Photographer?
My biggest piece of advice is to choose a photographer whose work you genuinely love and whose personality you feel comfortable with. My couples get to know me on our consultation calls and whatsapping exchanges, we build a genuine relationship and my experience and knowledge builds confidence and trust.
Most couples spend far more time looking at packages and prices than they do thinking about who they will actually spend their wedding day with. I’ll be your wedding photographer for the entre day, I’ll often be with you from morning preparations laughing joking living through the nervous, anxiety and emotions, right through to the evening celebrations where you are happy to dance your heart out in front of me, so getting along with them really matters.
Of course, you should love my photographs too. Look beyond a handful of social media images and ask to see full wedding galleries. This will give you a much better understanding of how a photographer captures an entire wedding day.
I would also encourage couples to be honest during consultations. Tell your photographer if you hate having your photograph taken. Tell them if there are family dynamics they should know about. Tell them if you’re worried about rain, timings, group photographs or anything else. The more your photographer understands, the better they can help.
Most importantly, don’t feel pressured into choosing a photographer based on what everyone else is doing.
Choose someone whose work makes you smile, whose approach feels right for you and who gives you confidence that they will take great care of you on your wedding day.
Everything else tends to fall into place from there.
Please call me for a conversation, use my wedding photography and wedding day experience to help sculpt your day.