The Savvy Brides Guide to Wedding Photography

The Groom turns Photographer for the Bride and her Sister – Photo Courtesy: Gary Knight

There are so many things to organize for your big day that it can be a little overwhelming.  If your dress is chosen and your venue booked, the next thing you should do is look for a photographer. One of the most important things that you can do when choosing a wedding photographer is research. Get a thorough idea of the photography market before you make any decisions. Looking at a number of websites and brochures should give you a fairly good idea of the kind of prices that you will be looking at. You could also ask around amongst your family and friends for recommendations.

What to look for in a wedding photographer

Now that’s an adventurous photographer AND a brave bride! – Photo Courtesy: Mike Baird

The first thing you want to see when you speak to a photographer is their portfolio. This will give you an idea of their style and experience. It is very important that you ask questions like ‘how long have you been doing this’ and ‘is photography your main job or just a hobby’ as this will allow you to further gauge how much experience they have and ensure you get a real professional on the day. Their photographic style is also very important as it must match the kind of photos you want. Some photographers are very traditional and work with posed and group shots and others prefer shots that are more candid and modern. It is also very important to find a photographer that you have a rapport with as you want to know that both you and your guests will get on well with them on the biggest day of your life!

Money saving tips

Photography can be very expensive these days but in this industry you really do get what you pay for. However there are a couple of ways in which you can reduce some of the costs.

Opt for a ceremony only deal. Many professional photographers will offer you a package where they only come for the ceremony. You can then ask an amateur photographer (every family normally has one) to photograph the meal and evening reception.

Go digital. Many photographers these days shoot in digital and will offer you the option of having your photos on disc. Not having a printed album made by the photographer will save you a fortune as there are no printing costs to be covered. You can then buy your own album and print the pictures online for a fraction of the price.

Consider a training college. There are many talented photography students who are looking for all the experience they can get. The great thing is that they will be supervised by a professional and charge next to nothing.

Photographic styles

Traditional – Traditional style wedding photography is still one of the most popular. It is where a large proportion of the shots to be taken are pre-decided and posed for. Many couples want group shots with close family and friends as well as posed shots together as a couple.

Photojournalistic – This style is described as the ‘telling of a story’ through images. Pictures are taken spontaneously and in an unobtrusive way. The images are always in chronological order and tell the story of your big day.

Candid – Very similar to photojournalistic, candid shots can also be called ‘fly on the wall’. Normally the subject does not even know that they are being photographed. Candid photos capture moments naturally as they happen.

Vicky works with The City Rooms Wedding Venue in Leicester and has been writing about weddings for a number of years now. Her favourite topics are money saving, wedding finance and wedding DIY.