Top tips when choosing your wedding photographer

When booking the photographer for your wedding it is imperative you get it right. The photographer is someone who will be with you for a long time on your big day, and the photos are one of the few things you will keep after the wedding. There are so many photographers out there, where do you start? I have put together a few tips that may help you when you start looking …

  1. Personal recommendation if possible. Do you know anyone who has recently got married? Who was their photographer and were they happy? If someone you know can recommend a photographer personally that is a good start. Do you know anyone in the industry?
  2. Look at different photographer’s websites to compare styles and packages. Are they more traditional or contemporary in the way they work? Not all will have their prices on their website, so contact 5 or 6 to get an idea of cost.
  3. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest option. In fact, often there is a reason if someone is much cheaper than others. This could be a very good photographer just starting out who cannot charge established prices. But do make sure you know first.
  4. Find out how long a photographer has been around – it is far better to get someone established with a good reputation and experience, than someone who has only done a couple of weddings.
  5. Having priced up 5 or 6, make an appointment to go and see 2 or 3. Not only do you need to make sure their portfolio is good, you need to feel comfortable with them as a person. They will be spending a lot of time with you on your big day, and it is really important you choose someone you get on with and whom you can relax around. Will they fit in to your big day or might they take over?
  6. Make sure you find out exactly what you get for the price – how many images, will they be digital, are they copyright free and printable? Some photographers charge extra for you to have all your images so be careful. Is an album included in the price? If so, do you want one – if not why pay for one? If the package does not include an album, can you get one at a later date if you want to? How long will the photographer be with you on the day?
  7. How long will it take for you to get all your edited images? A few months after the wedding is not quick enough and is not acceptable.
  8. Do guests get the chance to look at the photos and purchase them on a website?
  9. What happens if the unthinkable occurs and the photographer is taken ill or has an accident and cannot make it on the day? You need to know what plans they have in place to make sure you are not left without a photographer.
  10. Find out if the photographer has a back up camera in case of technical failure.
  11. Is the photographer happy to do all the shots you want and will they bring a list of all the group shot you would like and make sure they are all taken? Will they give you an itinerary and timings for photos on the day?
  12. What insurances do they have?

These sound like a lot of things to be finding out from the photographers you see, but anyone not happy to fully answer these questions and any more you may have, are perhaps not the right person for your big day.

Choose carefully, and most importantly take in to consideration the quality of the images, the style of the photographer, what you get for the price, and what they are like as a person.

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WHAT MY CUSTOMERS SAY

katie and gemma wedding photographer aldwark hazlewood castle york recommendation

Katie and Gemma
Hazelwood Castle, Leeds
Nikki stood out from the other photographers we met from the point of initial contact. She was fantastic to work with and made us both feel comfortable during the planning stage and on the day. Nikki was able to tailor make a package for us that was kind to our budget but gave us exactly what we needed. We are delighted with our photographs of our day and are amazed that she was able to take so many.

Lynsey and Colm

Lynsey and Colm
Haxby Methodist Church & The Grange Hotel, Bootham, York
From the moment I went with Nikki she made sure she knew exactly what I wanted, nothing was too much trouble. Nikki listened to all my ideas and was able to guide me in the right direction in terms of what would and wouldn't work both with the wedding day and the wedding album. On the 'big day' Nikki was patient, unobtrusive and I can honestly say made the whole photographic experience fun. She has been an absolute star with the patience of a saint. I plan to use the company again for other upcoming events.

Christina and Simon

Christina and Simon

Aldwark Manor, Aldwark, York

Nikki was fantastic! She worked with us from the very first informal meeting to discuss our budget and what we wanted to achieve. She gave us guidance and ideas about the best photographic places in our wedding venue and what options we had. Nikki was not only very professional but friendly too and had the perfect tone for gathering everyone together for the photographs so there was no waiting around. I have since recommended Nikki to a few brides to be with no hesitation.

Josie and Alan

Josie and Alan
The Alma Inn, Laneshawbridge

Nikki was brilliant on our wedding day: Professional, but personal at the same time. She made everyone feel so comfortable and, consequently, captured some really beautiful moments. As a "stressed out" bride, I really cannot compliment Nikki enough... in both the run up to our wedding, and afterwards, her communication was excellent - so proactive. She was incredibly organised and efficient. It really made this part of organising the wedding effortless. We would highly recommend her.

Rowan and Ian

Rowan and Ian
Fairfield Manor, York

I am so glad Nikki did our wedding photography, she went way beyond our expectations of our photograph's! We had a wonderful happy day with our family and friends, and she captured the atmosphere perfectly. She more than delivered the outline I had given her, and we have beautiful artistic memento's of our very special day. I love how she seized the moments of different parts of our day, both the formal and informal. We will treasure these photographs, and I could not recommend her highly enough! The trouble will be now just deciding what to leave out of the album!

Nicola and Gareth

Nicola and Gareth
The Pavilion Hotel, York

The wonderful Nikki Bowling captured our day from bridal prep to the first dance (and beyond). We got the set pieces we requested and a plethora of candid, natural shots which capture our day perfectly. Nikki was very familiar with our venue and knew all the good nooks and crannies to get really wonderful pictures. A number of our guests commented on how great she was on the day. Getting her job done without imposing on the day and special time with family and friends. I would recommend her to anyone.