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How do you choose a Wedding Photographer?
A Guide for UK Couples
Introduction
Your wedding day is one of the most significant and memorable moments of your life, and capturing those memories perfectly is crucial. It being the most oversaturated supplier part of the wedding sector, finding the right UK Wedding photographer for your special day can feel overwhelming. This guide will walk you through the key steps to choosing the perfect wedding photographer for your needs.
1. Determine Your Photography Style
Before you start looking for a photographer, it’s important to understand what style of wedding photography resonates with you. Some of the most popular styles include:
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Traditional/Classic: Posed, timeless shots with structured group photos.
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Documentary/Reportage: Natural, candid moments captured as they happen.
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Fine Art: Elegant, creatively composed images that look like artwork.
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Editorial: Styled, magazine-like shots with a focus on fashion and details.
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Moody and Dramatic: Darker tones, artistic lighting, and emotional depth.
Look at wedding blogs, Instagram, and Pinterest to identify what styles appeal to you most. The majority of your search will return photographers that fit in the Documentary/reportage style This is by far the most popular (and maybe easiest) type of wedding photography.
The couples that choose us see this as the best suited style of photography for them. They don’t necessarily want to be the centre of attention on their wedding day (although to a certain extent they will naturally be) rather they want their whole day captured in photos, including the guests. Those that are shy in front of the camera tend to lean towards this style of photography. We kinda see it as wedding photography for introverts to a certain degree, as they don’t want all the fuss that wedding photography can sometimes bring. They don’t want to give up a huge amount of time on their wedding day to have photos taken. But they do want to have their wedding day photographed in all its glory with all the people that they chose to celebrate their day with......warts n all! But still understand there is a small requirement to get those mantlepiece photos done. The quicker these are done, the better!
2. Set a Budget
Wedding photography costs vary widely in the UK, typically ranging from £1,000 to £3,000+ for a full-day package. Factors that influence pricing include experience, demand, location, and the number of hours covered. Be sure to ask:
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What’s included in the package? (E.g., second shooter, albums, engagement shoot)
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Are there additional costs for travel, extra hours, or photo albums?
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What is the payment schedule? (Deposit, instalments, final payment)
In reality, you can find a photographer that is willing to do a full day's wedding for anything from as little as £250-£400.
Whatever photographer you are looking towards, make sure you look at their website for a comprehensive overview of their type of work. Is it consistent? Does it portray in photos what they say they do? Is it of a satisfactory quality (for you)?
3. Research & Shortlist Photographers
Start by searching online directories like Hitched, Bridebook, Rock My Wedding, and Instagram hashtags such as #UKWeddingPhotographer #shropshireweddingphotographer etc. Also, ask recently married friends for recommendations.
When shortlisting photographers:
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Look at full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels.
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Pay attention to consistency in style and quality.
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Check if they’ve worked at your venue before.
Get a few listed down that you are leaning towards. Some defernites and some maybe’s. One can sometimes turn into the other.
4. Read Reviews & Testimonials
A great way to gauge a photographer’s professionalism is through Google Reviews, Facebook, and Trustpilot. Look for consistent positive feedback about:
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Their reliability and communication.
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How comfortable they made couples feel.
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Their ability to handle unexpected situations (bad weather, lighting issues).
Even if there is a low scoring review, don’t let that be alarming. See how they responded to this or how they handled it. This can say even more about their professionalism in dealing with this.
5. Meet & Ask Questions
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, arrange a consultation. Key questions to ask include:
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What’s your backup plan if you’re ill on the day?
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Do you have backup equipment?
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How do you handle low-light or bad weather conditions?
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How long will it take to receive our photos?
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Do you offer an engagement shoot?
When you have a shortlist, try and meet with them all either in person or on a video call.
I personally love to meet up with couples at their planning stage. I would always recommend doing this if possible. It gives you a more genuine experience of that person(s) as individuals and whether you can see or feel them fitting in with you and your day. You have to feel comfortable with them above all else.
6. Understand the Contract & Deliverables
Before booking, carefully read the agreement. (if they don’t have one then maybe look elsewhere) Important aspects to check:
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Number of hours covered.
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How many edited images you will receive.
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Turnaround time for final photos.
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Copyright policies (who owns the photos?).
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Cancellation and refund policies.
Agreement (contracts) aren’t necessarily heavy reads. But they do set out what’s taking place when and where and for who and what will happen in a given situation. Always ask for clarification on any points if you’re unsure. Your photographer will only be too pleased that you have taken the time to read the whole agreement raised any points you are unsure of.
7. Book Early!
The best photographers book up 12-24 months in advance, especially for peak summer weddings. Once you find a photographer you love, don’t delay in securing your date with a deposit. Also you can get them tied to their current price and not be forced to pay more the following year/season if you’ve left it late.
8. Consider an Engagement Shoot
A pre-wedding shoot can be a great way to:
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Get comfortable in front of the camera.
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Test out how your photographer works.
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Build confidence for your wedding day portraits.
Even if you hate having your photo taken, this time alone with your chosen wedding photographer will be something you enjoy. We always have a positive experience with any couple that feels camera shy, and it creates a working relationship you will find extremely valuable on the wedding day itself.
9. Final Thoughts
Choosing a wedding photographer is about more than just beautiful photos; it’s about finding someone who aligns with your vision and makes you feel at ease. By researching styles, setting a budget, and meeting potential photographers, you’ll be well on your way to securing the perfect photographer for your wedding day.
As candid wedding photographers that work in Shropshire and the surrounding areas, in fact we work all over the UK, we’re very confident we can do your wedding day justice in photos with our very relaxed and easy going work flow that gives you the best photos you’d thought you’d never get.
Happy planning, and may your wedding photos be as magical as your big day itself!
