Planning a wedding is no small task (as I’m sure you’ve already realised) and choosing your photographer is another difficult decision to make. I’d like to think that this site will help you come to the right decision for you, and fingers crossed that it also ticks the boxes for what I can do for you.
The first question that usually comes to mind is “how much is it going to cost?” There’s a widely held view (that I strongly endorse, but then I would, wouldn’t I?) that you shouldn’t scrimp on the cost of your wedding photographer. Just to take one example from www.weddingideasmag.com who say “We’re all for DIY weddings and doing as much of it all you can yourself, but we think your photography is something that’s worth investing in. You’ll be looking back at these photos for years to come, so you want them to be the best they possibly can be to remind you of what a special day your wedding was.” I like simple pricing – see my Prices page for the full rundown.
Just as importantly, you need to consider what you’re going to get for your money. I’ve put together some questions you should consider. Take a look below and compare with the other photographers that you might be considering.
Last, but in many ways most important, is that you need to like the style of photographs that are produced, and be confident that the photographer you choose will do everything in their power to be unobtrusive, friendly, fun and of course produce fabulous images. Start by taking a look at their gallery, then have a chat. I've collected a few examples on my gallery page.
Questions you should consider when choosing a wedding photographer (and how I respond to them)
How many photographers will be there?
You’ll probably find that most wedding photographers either shoot alone or in many cases have an assistant (who helps manage the people but doesn’t take any photographs). In my case, with the exception of my entry-level Pearl Collection, there are two fully qualified photographers in attendance. Certainly when it's time for managing the group photographs, one of us takes on the responsibility of the 'assistant', but for the vast majority of the day you get two different perspectives on your special day. For example, at the start of the day one of us will be with the bride for her preparations while the other spends time with the groom and best man. We come together at the ceremony and take our positions; one near the front (discretely off to one side so as not to get in the way) while the other generally stands at the back of the congregation and takes in the wider atmosphere of the ceremony. This approach is simply not possible with only one photographer.
How much time do you spend with us?
On the big day, again, with the exception of my entry-level Pearl Collection, I’ll be with you for as long as you want us (within reason!). We start as the bride and groom prepare themselves and work through until at least the first dance. You’ll find this is usually 10 hours or more.
Do I get a pre-wedding photograph?
Yes, if you choose the Emerald Collection or higher. Before your big day we take some time out to get to know each other with a complimentary pre-wedding shoot. This is a casual event where we visit a nearby location of your choice and capture some relaxed moments before the pressure of the big day. As a token of our thanks for choosing me I’ll provide you with a framed 8”x12” image of your choice from the shoot.
What if things go wrong?
Your wedding is a one-time event, so I do everything in my power to manage all eventualities. For example, both photographers hold full public liability and professional indemnity insurance. We also both use top of the range professional cameras, lenses and other equipment to minimise the risk of mechanical failure, but just in case we both always have backup cameras to hand. Our care of your images doesn’t stop there, with all files backed up on separate storage devices held in different physical locations (so even if one of our premises burned down, your master images would be safe)
What if I’m not happy with the work you produce?
I sincerely hope this will not be the case (whether you choose us or any other photographer), but if you have any cause for concern the best thing to do first is to talk to us. As a further level of confidence, I am a member of the Guild of Photographers. The Guild provides an arbitration service for all its members in cases where issues can’t be resolved directly between the photographer and client.
Are you insured?
Absolutely! Both photographers carry comprehensive professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
What if you’re ill on the day of my wedding?
We take pain killers and carry on! But seriously, if one of us is unable to attend your wedding, we have access to a number of trusted colleagues in the industry who we can call on at short notice.
Can my guests buy pictures from my wedding?
I’d love it if they did! Once you’ve had chance to look at the images I’ll put them onto a website in a password protected area for you, your friends and family to look at. There’s a wide range of print sizes (framed and unframed) to choose from as well as several other products to show off your photographs. All printing and framing is carried out by one of the UK’s leading professional printing businesses.
Are there any other costs I’ll need to pay?
There shouldn’t be, unless we need to travel a long distance to the wedding. Also, if you choose to have a physical album, there are many options to customise this to your taste. These customisations may incur extra cost. If this is the case I’ll make sure you’re aware of the cost before anything is agreed between us. My mantra is that there should never be any surprises.
Do you provide a written contract?
Absolutely, and I will talk you through it to make sure you’re happy with everything.
Is a deposit required?
A small non-refundable deposit of £150 secures the date in my calendar.
When is final payment due?
75% of the remaining balance is due 2 weeks before the wedding, with the
final 25% due 1 week after the wedding
final 25% due 1 week after the wedding