When planning a wedding ceremony in the UK, design a step-by-step scheme and stick to it. Otherwise, you’ll get lost in hundreds of quotes, proposals, contacts and concepts. Below, you’ll find a brief guide on how to select a creative and professional photographer who will deliver top-notch images. These recommendations can be applied to celebrations of any scale and budget, from gala dinner in an ancient castle to an intimate soiree in a local cafe. Mind that the best wedding photographers in Essex are booked months, if not years in advance. The earlier you sign the deal, the better price you get and the more candidates you have to choose from.
Feel free to ask questions to the vendor
You can use this list of questions as guidance:
- How long have you been working at weddings? At how many ceremonies have you worked?
- Do you take pictures outdoors, indoors or both? Will weather conditions influence your work? Do you feel more comfortable working with natural or artificial light? Can you take pictures in darkness? (the exact list will depend on the type of venue you hire)
- Have you ever worked at large-scale events? (this would be relevant only in case you’re planning a big celebration)
- Where did you study photography? Is this your main source of income or a hobby?
- Do you specialise exclusively in wedding photography? (if yes, this should be a meaningful argument in favorr of this professional)
- Which style do you prefer: reportage, traditional, candid, …? (if you don’t know the difference between the styles, ask the photographer to explain it to you and show examples)
Is the price fixed?
Many photographers offer discounts if you book them well in advance or on an unpopular day (let’s say, Wednesday instead of Saturday). But they might also ask you to pay extra for additional services. For instance, the photographer might be working alone or with an assistant, deliver 100 or 200 pictures, send you the images in digital format or print them on paper, and so on. Try to get to know about any potential extra expenses in advance. Ask the photographer how much they will charge per hour if you ask them to stay longer.
Make sure you have rapport
Book only those vendors for your celebration with whom you have mutual understanding. Choose the ones that share your wedding style vision, read your lips and therefore won’t ask for lengthy explanations.
Check the portfolio
If you discovered this vendor on the Internet, you have probably seen the examples of their work on their official site or in social networks. But don’t hesitate to ask for more! Also, ask for references and try to contact those people who have already used the services of this professional. It would be wise to get to know how punctual and reliable this person is and how easy it is to get along with them.
Discuss the post-production process
Post-production involves everything that happens with the pictures after they are taken: retouching, resizing, editing, printing, creating collages… Let the photographer know how many pictures you need and with which resolution. Normally, wedding photo albums are delivered in digital format today — but in case you want a printed one, describe how many prints it should contain and how the album should be designed. Also, get to know in advance who will owe the copyright for the images.
Don’t hurry to make the final decision
Your choice should be based not on your emotions but reason and logic. Compare several candidates, impartially weighing the pros and cons of each one. Decide, which one offers the best value for money to save money on your wedding, from your viewpoint. And most important, ask for the opinion of your beloved one as well!
