Cotswolds Wedding Photography Top Tips - How to choose a wedding photographer
Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, Oxfordshire
How to choose a Cotswolds wedding photographer
I wanted to talk about this topic slightly differently while still adding value for you. So I cast my mind back to when my wife and I were searching for a wedding photographer. I've brought that up to date and coupled it with what I now know as a Gloucestershire Wedding Photographer myself. I hope you find this useful and informative.
“Why bother choosing a specific chair? Because that chair says something about you.”
1: Do we like their style of wedding photography?
By this, I don't mean do they wear corduroys and a beige jumper or how cool their hair-do is. I am, of course, talking about the style of their photographs.
Style of wedding photography was the first things my wife and I looked at when we were looking for a wedding photographer. We wanted someone who captured a wedding story through vivid colours, sultry black and white and photos that were quite contrasty and bold - we liked that at the time - I still do, to be honest.
The fact that he was a war photographer for The Times newspaper also added a particular something. He had, as you'd expect, a keen eye to capture the day in a documentary style - capturing so many moments we didn't even see happen on the day and could look back on afterwards
Light and airy, dark and moody, naturalistic, retro, earthy or vivid are all types of styles, and there are many more. I suggest you look at lots of wedding photographs (Pinterest is always a good go-to place for this) and look for images that you love - the ones that make you feel something whether that be real emotion, love, meh or hate. You'll soon find the style that is yours. You then have to match your style to the photographer.
“style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.”
2: Do we want a wedding photographer who will blend into our wedding or one who will take control?
I'll say it upfront. I am the blending in type. I hide in plain sight to capture moments as they happen without contriving them. However, you may have a strong-willed group at your wedding. Hey, they are your friends and family, and you love them, but they are confident - even loud. In this case, you may want a photographer who can take over and direct things more - someone with a loud voice (again, not me).
I try to mix and play nice with your guests on the day without directing them. I do try to blend in with everyone and often get the most beautiful natural shots on the day that way.
Paul was fantastic before, during and after our wedding. He communicated well with us throughout. He knew how nervous I was about my wedding and he made me feel so calm the whole time. He was non-invasive the whole day and helped out during the day, not just taking photographs. The photos were beautiful, he captured our day perfectly. I couldn’t recommend him enough! Grace & Ben
“A good photograph stops a moment from running away.”
3: Are they someone who listens and understands us?
When you talk to your prospective wedding photographer, are they able to listen? Do they understand your dreams? Do they talk about their experience in making these a reality for you? Or do they have a preconceived idea about how a wedding should be photographed? (my way or the highway) You obviously, or probably, don't want the last one. Unless that is, you love their style, and they deliver fantastic results each time. They do exist out there, and some of them are good. I often find some of the celebrity wedding photographers can be this way, and heck it has worked for them so perhaps don't dismiss them right away.
I recommend you go for someone who listens, that interjects with ideas and anecdotes on what has worked well or not so well in the past for them.
A lot of this is about listening to your heart and your head. Above all, will this person give you peace of mind about your wedding photography?
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
Thank you so much for doing our photography - you captured literally every moment. We have had so many lovely comments about how the photos are. You made us both feel so relaxed when we can be so awkward in front of the camera. Thank you also for all of the little touches, they make your package way above the rest. Love Hanna & Tim - Eastington Park Wedding Venue, Gloucestershire
4: Do we like them?
For us, this was so important. We had a small wedding in Avebury, Wiltshire, with only close family and friends. We wanted someone who we liked, who we felt shared our values of respect for others, kindness and friendliness.
As with everything, it is about balance; you may truly love the style and price of the photographer but not quite gel with them? It is and has to be your choice.
“Kindness is a gift that everyone can afford to give.”
Bridal preparation at Eastington Park, Gloucestershire
5: Can we afford them?
Price is a significant component in any decision we make today and weddings are no different. But what if you find someone you think meets everything you want, and they are still a little out of your price range? They may even be asking less than you had thought, and this is raising different worries for you.
My advice would be to always talk to them, be open and honest with them. If they are just who you are after, but a little too expensive, then look at options together. Perhaps an album is included in their package? Could you defer this option and choose an album at a later date for example?
You may find this blog on wedding Photography pricing a useful read to go along with this question.
“A great business at a fair price is superior to a fair business at a great price.”
Choosing a wedding photographer - a checklist
There are lots of other things to check off as well as the points discussed above. I've put a little checklist below. But for my wife and me, it was the five points outlined above that were the key factors we considered. If you are talking to an experienced wedding photographer everything on the following list should be checked off.
Are they available for your wedding date? Always best to ask this upfront before going any further. If not, can they recommend anyone else?
Are they experienced at shooting weddings? We all have to start somewhere, but they should at least have experience of being a second shooter for a range of different weddings.
What is their backup plan for equipment failure, illness, changing weather?
Are they fully insured?
Can they show you a full wedding they have captured not just the "Best shots"?
Do they do family group shots and if so, how do they manage this?
What is their postponement or cancellation policy, especially today with COVID-19 or other unexpected events?
Can they provide a second shooter? Perhaps to cover groom prep for example.
Can they put you in contact with other couples whose wedding they have shot so you can speak to them?
How long will they stay at your wedding - when do they finish?
In summary then from this Gloucestershire wedding photographer
We found all of this in our photographer, Mike. He fit in so well, captured everything beautifully, his photos of our wedding reflected the style we had fallen in love with - note his style of photography is different to mine, we all evolve our styles. He was a bit more expensive than we had planned, but it was worth it. Here's a photo from our wedding to leave you with. What's that I hear - you want to book Mike? Sorry, he's now retired from wedding photography, our wedding was 18 years ago after all.
This photographer and his wife on their wedding day at Avebury Stone Circle, WIltshire
I wish you every success in your search for a wedding photographer - there are a lot to choose from these days. The right one IS out there. Take your time; it is quite a lot of money; you want to be sure you have made the right choice. Once you have, you will know - you will stop worrying about your wedding photography, you will know you have hired the right person and that you can relax knowing your wedding photographs are in safe hands.
You may also be interested in another of my blogs about getting the best from your wedding photographer. Are you planning going ahead with a small wedding during COVID-19? They can be truly lovely - take a look at this blog all about a small wedding at The Matara Centre in Gloucestershire to see how beautiful they can be.
If you have any questions about any aspect of wedding photography, please get in touch, I'd love to have an informal chat about your plans for your day and talk you through how I would work with you to capture your wedding story.
Cotswolds Wedding Photography
by The Lemon House
I 'm a Gloucestershire wedding photographer based in The Cotswolds.
I capture documentary style wedding stories with real imagination, creativity and natural but vibrant imagery. I work throughout the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and across the whole of UK
I work with couples who love and see the value of beautiful wedding photography. People who want to have their story captured forever to share with family, friends, and future generations of themselves. If this sounds like you then please do get in touch.
I am based in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire
Visit my pinterest page