Finding a good Wedding Photographer
Finding the right wedding photgrapher is very important as they play a crucial part during and after your day. It is their work that will help you, your friends and your family remember the important parts of your wedding for years to come by caputring the finer parts of the day. It can be very confusing when you first start looking for a wedding photgrapher because there are so many styles and such a difference in the quality of work.
Initial ideas
Go through magazines cutting out any photos you like and just as importantly those you dont like, so you can work out which style of photography you prefer. This will help you narrow down your initial search for a photographer. Keep these pictures as when you find your wedding photographer they should be able to adapt their style to what you like, as every couple has different tastes. If they are a reputable wedding photographer they will let you guide the style - they won't dictate it.
Recommendations
Talk to your friends and see what experiences they had with their photographer - if they can recommend their photgrapher this is a good place to start. Although it is worth contacting other wedding photographers too - you may find one you bond with more. A good photographer will be able to put you in contact with couples whose weddings they have attended that you can speak to, or may have testimonials on their website.
Using the internet to find your wedding photographer
There are wedding photographers on the high street and in your local phone books, but often the internet is the best tool for searching for a good wedding photographer as you can get examples of their work and prices very easily. A Google search will give you thousands of wedding photographers, which may seem abit overwhelming at first, but it's a good place to start. To narrow down your research you can make the search more localised, eg 'Wedding Photographer York' or 'Wedding Photographer Yorkshire'.
Choosing your photographer
When choosing a wedding photographer look for a specialist in wedding photography as it's not just the ability to take a picture that you need, it is someone who is friendly and won't order your guests around - treating them as if they are models. The photographer should understand it is your wedding day - not a photo shoot. It is also a benefit if they know the venue well, which can make the day run smoother and will provide you with the best photographs possible from your chosen venue.
Refining your search
You will need to enquire about their availibilty as good wedding photographers get booked up over a year in advance. To help find a good specialist in wedding photography there are two main organisaitons you can look in to: The SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) - photographers have to be of a very high standard to even be allowed to enter and are required to demonstrate a consistently high standard of work. This organisaiton is used by modern and traditional wedding photographers. Second is the MPA (Master Photographer's Association), which is similar to the SWPP but focuses more on traditional wedding photographers.
Meeting your wedding photographer
One advantage of choosing a wedding photographer from your town or county is that you can easily arrange everything and meet them several times before the day. Check that the photographer that you meet to discuss your day will actually be the photographer who will be there on the day, as some photographers will send an assistant rather than themselves. The role of wedding photgrapher is very personal and it is important that they have the right personality for you. You should feel comfortable with them as a person, as well as confident in their work - they have one of the most important jobs on and after your wedding day.
Written by Ashley Nesbitt LBIPP LSWPP
