Useful information - Photographers - Guide to Choosing your Photographer - Photo styles

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What to look for when choosing a wedding photographer…

Photographs provide us with a record of a moment in time. And what time should be more memorable than your wedding day? Before choosing a photographer it is worth considering the following points that may help you to pick the person that best suits what you are looking for:

• Photographs – obvious yes, but be sure the photographer can show you a range of photographs from different weddings to give a sense of their style of photography. Ask about black and white photography if it is something you desire. Consider if you are looking for a more formal approach to your wedding photos or if you prefer the relaxed style of reportage photography. Ask the photographer how they would desribe their style and what their credentials are.
• Cost – find out exactly what you can expect for your money e.g. how many images, will there be an album and how long will the photographer be present for? Look for hidden costs such as reprint prices, especially if you are looking at a small number of prints in the photography package.
• Insurance – Ask the photographer if they have insurance in the event that unforseen circumstances prevent them from carrying out the job (for example camera failure). Alternatively you may prefer to purchase your own insurance to cover all of your wedding services, a quick look on an internet search-engine will give names of insurers that specialize in weddings.
• Personality – Make sure you meet with the photographer before you book. Remember that this person will be spending most of your big day with you so it is really important that you feel comfortable with them.
• Time – Check out how much time you have for the photographs between the service and before your wedding meal. Ask the photographer how much time they will need for the more formal photographs. IF you are opting for more traditional photography be prepared for long periods away from your guests whilst the photographer organizes the set portraits of you and your family.

Finally, once you have choosen your photographer, arrange to meet with them again nearer the wedding date and ideally around the same time as the service. This will mean that the light will be roughly the same as on the day and allow you to plan where to take the group photographs you have requested.

Rebecca Roundhill

www.rebeccaroundhill.co.uk

Booking a professional photographer

One of the difficult choices to be made when planning your wedding is who to ask to photograph your wedding. There are thousands of wedding photographer to choose from, both traditional and the more current “reportage” style. Many are full time professionals, plus a lot of part timers who photograph weddings at the weekend. This does not mean that they are not good. Many full time professionals started as part timers.

It’s important to look for qualifications as this shows a comittment to professional standards. Look for the qualifications from the main professional bodies, Master Photographers Association, British Institute of Professional Photography, Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers and The Guild of Wedding Photographers. The first two are long established qualifying bodies and have codes of conduct that members have to comply to. Insurance is important.

Make sure that your photographer has Professional Indemnity and Customer Liability cover. The MPA and BIPP insist on members carrying this cover.

It’s important to meet the person who is actually going to photograph your wedding. This person is going to spend some hours at your wedding, so it’s important to get along with them and feel comfortable with them.

Make sure you see examples of complete weddings, not just the best shots from a variety of weddings. Ask what would happen if your photographer is ill on the day and what plans they would have if it was really rainy or windy.

A regular complaint about wedding photographers is that they are very bossy and take hours to take the photographs. Ask how long they propose to take over the formal photography.

If possible, ask to see a finished customers album, rather than a carefully prepared sample.

Make sure that you know exactly what the charges are and what is included in the price, not only for your album, but also for extra reprints.

Price is important and you should set yourself a realistic budget, but be prepared to be a little flexible. The photographs are amongst the most lasting memories of your day, so don’t be too tight on budget and regret it later.

Quite often a friend will recommend a photographer. This is great, but make sure you see others to compare style, quality and price. Remember, not everyone like the same things.

If you choose carefully, your photographer will help you enjoy your day and capture some wonderful memories to look back on.

On the day, it’s important to leave plenty of time to get ready. So many brides underestimate the time taken in preparations.

Relax and enjoy your wedding. It’s so important to stay calm and savour this special day in your life.

Geoff Roberts

www.amazing-weddings.co.uk

Booking a professional photographer

When choosing your wedding photographer make sure you meet the actual photographer that will be taking your pictures. You will be spending up to 8 hours with them so it very important that you feel relaxed and comfortable in their company. Will your photographer mingle in with your guests to create that relaxed feel or will they boss the day, ordering people around for the formal photographs? Its important that you choose the photographerset of images that you want.

Make sure that you view at least one complete wedding from their portfolio, it easy to place 4 or 5 of the best shots from a wedding in a portfolio, but you need to know that the other 250 are of the same standard. Ask about the cost of upgrading your wedding album and the cost of reprints, these could be expensive hidden extras that some photographers forget to mention.

After all is said and done, the cake will get eaten and the champagne will
get drunk, the only lasting memory you will have is your photographs, choose carefully and choose wisely, and try to remeber the old cliche "you get what you pay for".

David Pullum

www.dpphotography.co.uk.

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This directory is to help you from your initial engagement, buying your wedding ring, dress, tiara etc. Booking your venue for the reception ordering the wedding photographer, cars, and flowers, booking the entertainment be it a magican band or singer. sending out invitations on your chosen stationery and the final touches such as choosing favours table decorations such as balloons etc. and of course planning for your hen and stag night parties. You can also download wedding planning software to make it all come to gether