Six Things You Should Do Before Booking a Wedding Photographer

Getting married is one of the greatest parties you’ll ever have. Well, that’s certainly how I look at it. You’re marrying the person you love in front of all the special people in your life. It should be a fabulous day.

The memories you’ll create will last forever but you’ll want to capture them in glorious colour as well. A wedding photographer, a good wedding photographer, is a core part of those precious memories.

Booking suppliers for your wedding is possibly the most exciting and stressful job you’ll take on and aside from the venue, the dress, and that cake, the photographer you choose is a big decision.

How do you decide? And what exactly do need to get from them? Well… here’s what!

1.    Find a wedding photographer that you like!

Your wedding photographer will be with you all day.  From getting ready, to arriving, to the wedding, to the meal, and then the evening. Don’t hire one you think is a bit of a prat or if they make you feel uncomfortable. Seriously. Don’t do that. I don’t care how good they are. If they irritate you or boss you around, you’ll hate it and you won’t relax and enjoy the experience.

• Book somebody you click with, and LIKE the company of.
• Book somebody fun and experienced, so they are a calming influence on the day.

And please make sure that you’re going to get the photographer you want. Not some kind of associate that they pass your information on to.

If you book Andrew Craner Photography, you get me. Simple.

2.    Check: are they really that good?

Don’t be afraid to ask for references from some recent clients of the photographer you’re interested in. The whole experience you’re buying goes far beyond the quality of the photography.

Booking a photographer is more like asking someone to be your best man or your chief bridesmaid. They’re a core part of the day. So, ask their previous clients what they thought.

Ask previous clients if they gelled with them, and what they were like in the build-up to the wedding as well as on the big day. It’s important.

3.    Check Google!

Look, I know it’s bad, but have a good stalk! Google the photographer’s name and company name and see what’s what. Check Google, Yell, and Facebook reviews and any sites they’re listed on.

If they’re recommended by some big hotels in your area, then you’ll have more confidence in them. The information is there – use it!

4.    Check the figures

Most wedding photographers will have a wedding photography package.  They key thing to check here is what’s included and whether that is enough for you. Up-sells are fine if you’re offered them and if you understand them. I often find that this space I work in is over-complicated (sorry fellow togs!).

Things to check:

• Check that the fee will include the high-resolution files
• Check those files will have full permission to print and share.
• Check that you don’t have to buy these afterwards.
• If you do, how much will they be?
• Can you get prints/canvases/additional photo books for gifts?

You’re likely to want ALL of your edited photos. It’s just human nature. Make sure you know what will happen if you do want them all, and how long the images are kept for.

5.    Ask – will you appear on Facebook in a few weeks?

It’s quite normal for a photographer’s contract to give them the rights to use a few of their favourite images from your wedding on their website/blog/sample albums/wall art/social media.

Are you happy with this?

Most are as they’ll understand it’s how a photographer attracts future bookings and it helps with your stalking!  

But, if you don’t want this, you need to ask your photographer what he/she might charge if you were given FULL copyright of all the images.

Warning: You need to be prepared to pay at least double their normal fee (if the photographer is willing to give up usage rights at all) as it means he/she will never get another booking from your wedding and this is kind of how the industry works.

6.    Find out – how much is the deposit?

Securing your booking with a deposit is expected and very normal but check how much they want. You’ll usually only be expected to pay 25-50%.

The remaining balance is then usually taken one month before the wedding day.

Beware of anyone asking for 100% if your wedding is anything more than one month away!

And on the flip side, make sure you sign your contract and pay your deposit at the same time.

Do not leave the contract until the final balance is due. Contracts protect you AND the photographer if (heaven forbid) anything changes or goes wrong. It can happen.

Looking for a Warwickshire wedding photographer? Hello…

I’ve been snapping couples at some of the most glorious wedding venues in Warwickshire for years. (Here are some ideas for winter Warwickshire weddings)

I’d love to chat.

Please do contact me here and don’t forget to stalk me first on Facebook and Google. It’s only right!

Speak soon,

Andy.