Hiring a Wedding Photographer

Your wedding only lasts a day, but the memories will last forever with the right photographer. So my biggest piece of advice, to any couple, is to choose a photographer you are comfortable with. Even the most unobtrusive photographer will be a prominent part of your day and is responsible for your memories in relation to the photos they capture and the album they design and produce.

Us photographers can start talking a foreign language when it comes to our work – so here is my simple guide to point you in the right direction when choosing your photographer and the process involved.

•  Firstly consider the photographic style you want. These can be grouped into three main areas – traditional, contemporary and reportage/photo-journalistic . All good photographers should be able to do any and all of these so don't be fobbed off by a photographer telling you it is not his or her style. It's your wedding after all and they should be able to give you what you want.

•  Secondly, pick a sensible budget and try to stick to it. Most photographers will throw in a few extras if they can, so you could get a better deal, but shhh! don't let everyone know. By the nature of the job we are all a little extrovert and definitely fall into the category of being ‘a people person'. We generally want to help you with your plans not hinder them

•  Once you have picked your photographer, sit down and map out the whole day with them. They will more than likely take notes of your approximate timings and plans. It will give you a chance to get to know them and vice versa.

•  A great idea is to collect any photos from the internet or magazines of shots that you like, so you can discuss them and give a copy to your photographer. We won't be creating exact copies, but we are visual creatures and as they say, a photo tells a thousand words and will help us to realise your vision fully. They don't even have to be wedding photos, but can be anything – fashion, film etc. A bride once brought me the ‘Reservoir Dogs' poster which we used as inspiration in one of her shots. You can let your visual mind go crazy!

•  If you want formal group shots, and let's face it most people do, make a short list of their names in the groups you want. It is usually better to get the big group shot done as soon as possible, so people can go off and relax rather than hanging around and distracting you by taking their own photos.

•  Another important thing to consider is MAKE TIME for your own private shots. This is important for both you and your photographer. It can be a relaxing and fun moment with you, your partner and your photographer away from the gaze of your guests. So use this time to really relax and be yourself. A great idea is to stop off at beauty spot or gardens on the way to the reception and get some really super shots with no distractions.

At the end of the day your photographs are important to you and your photographer, but he or she does not want to spoil your day. We are professionals and have a lot of experience doing this. Use us to make sure you get the most out of your day. It's all about balance, so make sure you like and feel relaxed with your photographer, show and tell them what you want, ask questions and get the right deal for you.

Finally a little quote I like:

“A smile happens in a flash,
A memory fades in time,
A photo lasts forever!!”

Think about that when you choose your photographer. You need someone with good photographic instincts to get great shots, so that you can just relax and enjoy your day.