How to get what you want from your wedding photographer

 

The first decision you'll have to make is what style of photography you want. Do you want posed pictures of you and your groom in front of a romantic backdrop, or something more informal, with you having fun with your family and friends? If you're after formal pictures, choose a photographer skilled in this type of work; for a more relaxed style, look for someone who specialises in reportage photography.

 

The most popular choice tends to be a mixture of both, with a few posted family group shots, combined with lots of images of the celebration afterwards. 'Great images don't always just happen,' says Alison Freeman of Freeman Photographics. Discuss the type of images you want beforehand, and be prepared to work with your photographer to achieve some of the more stylised images.

 

You should also think about whether you'd like black and white or colour photographs. Black and white images look wonderfully romantic, while colour shots will emphasise all the vibrant colours of the day. The best option may be to have a combination of the two, which most photographers will offer.

 

 

You probably won't have bought the first wedding dress you tried on, so make sure you choose your photographer with the same careful consideration. Your recently married friends may have loved or hated their photographer, so they could point you in the right direction or warn you about bad experiences. You could also ask your venue or other suppliers to recommend people they've worked with in the past. If you're at a wedding and like the look of the photographer from his or her attitude and professionalism, get their number.

 

Even if you've met with one photographer you think you like, it's worth seeing one or two more to ensure you're getting the best package. Make sure you ask to see complete wedding albums rather than a collection of the photographer's favourite images to get a proper feel of their work. Think carefully about how the pictures make you feel. Do they move you? Do they give you a sense of the day? Also pay close attention to the presentation and print quality. 'When assessing wedding pictures, look especially at the facial expressions in the group shots,' says Damien Lovegrove of Lovegrove Photography. 'These emotions are a direct indication of the ambience created by the photographer at that time.'

 

Don't be scared to walk away. If you've found a photographer whose work you like, but whose attitude makes you feel nervous or uncomfortable, he's not the one for you. Excellent pictures are dependent on having a good rapport with your photographer so you can communicate what you want and so he can put everyone at ease. 'It's very important that you get on with your photographer,' says Neil Freeman of Freeman Photographics. 'You need to be able to relax and have fun, as this will result in beautiful, natural-looking images.'

 

 

Effectively communicating with your photographer is the only way to ensure you get exactly what you want. Don't be afraid to ask them lots of questions. Make sure you find out exactly what the wedding package includes. Will they stick around for the speeches and the first dance? How much will extra prints cost?

 

Also check how they plan to deal with any adverse weather conditions. Do they have a contingency plan if it rains? It's a good idea to take your photographer along to visit the venue so you can discuss these things. They may not be familiar with the location so it's also the perfect opportunity to share ideas and discuss specific shots you would like, and those you're not so keen on.

 

Finally, ask how the pictures will be presented to you. Will there be an album with a set number of prints included in the price, or does your photographer have a service where the images are printed directly into a photographic book? Will the images be available for guests to view and buy online? Often it's the way the pictures are presented that can be just as important as the actual photographs themselves.