A little bit of extra care goes a long way. And while it can be extremely challenging to find the time as it comes up to your special day, sitting down and planning things out with your photographer can result in some truly stunning pictures.
So, here are some questions that I’ve always found it helpful to ask and a few things to mull over before you tie the knot. Starting with-
The first and most important consideration is, exactly what kind of pictures do you want filling your digital or physical wedding album? On the day itself, there’s a good chance things will quickly become hectic – favourite uncles will disappear for a pint, your parents will be catching up, and the cousins are going to be tucking into the wedding canapes. Knowing who you want pictured and when allows me to plan the day to give people enough time to be located and corralled to your chosen location.
Choosing a particular spot for photos can help give enough time for me to set up photographs well in advance – whether it’s a large group shot or intimate captures of you and close family. I’m also happy to make a few suggestions once you’ve agreed on your venue to help ensure that you capture something truly special. One of the key variables I’ll be dealing with is light and being able to shoot during the ‘golden hour’ can help catch some fantastic photos of the both of you.
If you can provide me with a list of the shots that you’re looking for in order of preference, I can work with you to make sure that they are captured. For experience, I would recommend ‘nice to haves’ and ‘essentials’ to make sure that I spend my time covering everything you need, and capturing as much coverage of key friends, family and moments as possible.
The first and most important consideration is, exactly what kind of pictures do you want filling your digital or physical wedding album? On the day itself, there’s a good chance things will quickly become hectic – favourite uncles will disappear for a pint, your parents will be catching up, and the cousins are going to be tucking into the wedding canapes. Knowing who you want pictured and when allows me to plan the day to give people enough time to be located and corralled to your chosen location.
Choosing a particular spot for photos can help give enough time for me to set up photographs well in advance – whether it’s a large group shot or intimate captures of you and close family. I’m also happy to make a few suggestions once you’ve agreed on your venue to help ensure that you capture something truly special. One of the key variables I’ll be dealing with is light and being able to shoot during the ‘golden hour’ can help catch some fantastic photos of the both of you.
If you can provide me with a list of the shots that you’re looking for in order of preference, I can work with you to make sure that they are captured. For experience, I would recommend ‘nice to haves’ and ‘essentials’ to make sure that I spend my time covering everything you need, and capturing as much coverage of key friends, family and moments as possible.
Depending on how you want to store, circulate, or preserve your images – there are a number of options available to you.
As standard, any photographer covering your wedding will be able to provide your coverage in the form of digital images. These will always be of high quality, but it is important to chat to your provider and confirm the exact kind of content that you need. If you are shooting outside or inside, the professional may use a range of lenses, camera-types, or use a dedicated camera to capture any video footage of your day. Some photographers even offer drone shots to give you a swooping aerial view of your crowds or the chance to get a stunning flyover as you tie the knot.
Once this information is selected, your photographer will sift through it to find the best images – with many professional packages.
Some couples may want physical keepsakes in the form of a dedicated album. Luckily there are a wealth of options available with many professionals offering physical volumes of photos, data on USB keys and more. If what you do with your photos is important I would always check with your photographer to find out what services they offer and when you can retrieve your photos from them
As standard, any photographer covering your wedding will be able to provide your coverage in the form of digital images. These will always be of high quality, but it is important to chat to your provider and confirm the exact kind of content that you need. If you are shooting outside or inside, the professional may use a range of lenses, camera-types, or use a dedicated camera to capture any video footage of your day. Some photographers even offer drone shots to give you a swooping aerial view of your crowds or the chance to get a stunning flyover as you tie the knot.
Once this information is selected, your photographer will sift through it to find the best images – with many professional packages.
Some couples may want physical keepsakes in the form of a dedicated album. Luckily there are a wealth of options available with many professionals offering physical volumes of photos, data on USB keys and more. If what you do with your photos is important I would always check with your photographer to find out what services they offer and when you can retrieve your photos from them
When it comes to any shoot, it’s essential to be fully briefed in advance. This gives your photographer the chance to plan out their time spent on-site with you and allow them the flexibility to capture special moments as they present themselves.
For a wedding photographer, there is no such thing as too much information. Any professional worth their salt will provide you with a planning sheet for you to complete that breaks down your timeline for the day. This will often include key times such as when you will be arriving, leaving, and the time when your food will be served. While this is very rigorous, a high degree of foreplanning allows me and other professionals to organically capture special moments without having to resort to staged snaps. And, more often than not, it’s the pictures capturing smiling eyes and genuine grins that end up framed on the mantlepiece.
If there are special events planned – and with modern weddings, nothing is off limits – it’s great for the photographer to know about them in advance. This may involve putting them in touch with your best man or bridesmaids, letting them know when big surprises are coming. So, if you see your camera man surreptitiously getting their equipment with a look of ferocious concentration and you’re not sure why – now you know!
If you are choosing a local photographer, there is a strong likelihood that they will have worked in similar locations or are used to operating with the local weather and climate. While there are many unique wedding venues available, there is also a strong chance that they or a member of their team may have covered your venue before.
If they have worked in a similar location, this can allow you to take advantage of some practical advice to help with the planning of your big day. If you’re keen on outdoor photographs, they may know the best location to catch the light for a truly stunning picture. Or they may know some out of the way spots that would be perfect for a group shot or some family snaps. They may even know the terrain like the back of their hand and be able to give you advice about possible hazards or delays that could potentially derail your day.
Hiring any professional lets you take advantage of decades of experience and I speak for myself and others in my field when I say that any photographer worth their salt will be more than happy to share it with you.
If you are choosing a local photographer, there is a strong likelihood that they will have worked in similar locations or are used to operating with the local weather and climate. While there are many unique wedding venues available, there is also a strong chance that they or a member of their team may have covered your venue before.
If they have worked in a similar location, this can allow you to take advantage of some practical advice to help with the planning of your big day. If you’re keen on outdoor photographs, they may know the best location to catch the light for a truly stunning picture. Or they may know some out of the way spots that would be perfect for a group shot or some family snaps. They may even know the terrain like the back of their hand and be able to give you advice about possible hazards or delays that could potentially derail your day.
Hiring any professional lets you take advantage of decades of experience and I speak for myself and others in my field when I say that any photographer worth their salt will be more than happy to share it with you.
When it comes to securing your preferred professional for your big day, earlier is always better. While I would be happy accommodating people as much as possible – I know personally how logistically complicated the simplest of weddings can be – there will come a point when you’ll have to provide a definite answer about whether you’re going to use a professional’s services or not.
While this is only good manners, booking well ahead will potentially allow you to secure the company that you want and give the professional enough time to properly prepare. Even though the photographer will only be with you for a day, it’s worth remembering that a large amount of advance preparation is required. A good photographer will visit a location they are unfamiliar with beforehand and ensure they give the time and care necessary to ensure that the job is done right. This can quickly cause a photographer’s schedule to quickly fill to capacity so taking the time to book in advance is highly recommended.
Of course, no professional should ever pressure you into booking in advance or ask either of you to sign a contract if you just aren’t ready. Every relationship between a photographer and their client is based on trust and if you feel that your concerns are being respected – on your wedding day of all days – you’re well within your rights to respectfully decline and seek out another individual or team that better fits the bill.
While this is only good manners, booking well ahead will potentially allow you to secure the company that you want and give the professional enough time to properly prepare. Even though the photographer will only be with you for a day, it’s worth remembering that a large amount of advance preparation is required. A good photographer will visit a location they are unfamiliar with beforehand and ensure they give the time and care necessary to ensure that the job is done right. This can quickly cause a photographer’s schedule to quickly fill to capacity so taking the time to book in advance is highly recommended.
Of course, no professional should ever pressure you into booking in advance or ask either of you to sign a contract if you just aren’t ready. Every relationship between a photographer and their client is based on trust and if you feel that your concerns are being respected – on your wedding day of all days – you’re well within your rights to respectfully decline and seek out another individual or team that better fits the bill.
When it comes to taking snaps on your big day, capturing the look of your guests is essential. This can be as simple as an agreed-upon colour scheme or as inventive as a unique style of dress. While the photographer will not appear in any of the pictures, having them be an intimate part of your day and not look the part can be distracting and even feel like a bit of a let-down.
While I will always confirm my attire with clients, it’s important to ask your professional to confirm their look for the day. Aside from sensible shoes – as being on your feet for most of the day is a killer – every individual should have a clean suit, dress smart, or have a degree of flexibility when it comes to matching your style on the big day. While it may be a step too far to ask them to dress up for your Peaky Blinders inspired service, asking them to try and mimic your colour scheme should be fine!
Every wedding is deeply different but very special. And while the setup for each is unique, some other important questions everyone should ask include-
Every wedding is deeply different but very special. And while the setup for each is unique, some other important questions everyone should ask include-
This is a question that is asked far too little. walking your photographer through your wedding plans and your desired aesthetic is invaluable when it comes to helping them capture the look and feel of the day. Whether this is vintage class, quirky cool, or a unique look that’s truly your own; understanding what you want to look back on the day and see you ‘got right’ can be invaluable when it comes to helping you find that look.
Most photographers will offer a range of packages that suit a range of price points and offer several options. Standard working practice is to request an initial downpayment and provide the remainder once your day is finished. This allows you to spread the cost of your big day and provide a more flexible pricing model. Most professionals will also have a range of options for payment and try to be as understanding as possible if it is a challenge for you.
Most photographers will offer a range of packages that suit a range of price points and offer several options. Standard working practice is to request an initial downpayment and provide the remainder once your day is finished. This allows you to spread the cost of your big day and provide a more flexible pricing model. Most professionals will also have a range of options for payment and try to be as understanding as possible if it is a challenge for you.
A growing number of photographers offer videography as a service, but it is important to take a look at their showreel before making a choice as shooting stills is a very different discipline to capturing footage. If this is something you are interested in, it’s worth talking it through with your photographer beforehand and confirming the exact shots that you’re looking for.
All professionals should ask you to sign a contract before you make any payments or agree to use their services. This should be reviewed in full before you put pen to paper and check that there are terms that cover cancellation, their inability to attend, and who is specifically responsible for what. You should also be provided with a duplicate copy for future reference and I would always recommend storing it in a safe place, possibly alongside your brand-new wedding certificate…
All professionals should ask you to sign a contract before you make any payments or agree to use their services. This should be reviewed in full before you put pen to paper and check that there are terms that cover cancellation, their inability to attend, and who is specifically responsible for what. You should also be provided with a duplicate copy for future reference and I would always recommend storing it in a safe place, possibly alongside your brand-new wedding certificate…
Well, thanks for asking! For me, the answer is no. While you may feel pressured to make a place for your photographer, I know how difficult it can be to finalise your seating plans. If it’s between giving your Auntie Edith a seat or letting the photographer enjoy a free meal, I would recommend always taking care of family first. However, if you want to set aside a couple of canapes or a spare bit of cake, I don’t think there’s a professional alive who would complain.
Out of all the questions on this list, this is arguably the most important. Before you confirm anything with your photographer it is important to check that they have public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. This will allow them to operate without fear of causing damage to property and be covered in the event of their failing to deliver their required content.
If you are planning to have a West Midlands based wedding, and are researching photographers in the area, then you can check out my portfolio here
For a full range of services that I offer and to get a taste of the work I’ve done in the past, then please see here
Or if you want to ask a question or two, please do not hesitate to get in touch directly and let me know what you need or if you have any questions about the process.
Out of all the questions on this list, this is arguably the most important. Before you confirm anything with your photographer it is important to check that they have public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance. This will allow them to operate without fear of causing damage to property and be covered in the event of their failing to deliver their required content.
If you are planning to have a West Midlands based wedding, and are researching photographers in the area, then you can check out my portfolio here
For a full range of services that I offer and to get a taste of the work I’ve done in the past, then please see here
Or if you want to ask a question or two, please do not hesitate to get in touch directly and let me know what you need or if you have any questions about the process.
