Choosing a Wedding Photographer

So, you've got engaged, you've discovered your dream venue, your perfect wedding date is available, and now, you're looking for the perfect photographer to capture the story of your big day! You've done a quick Google search for 'Lake District Wedding Photographer' or perhaps, 'Wedding Photographer near me', and you've received ten million or so results! You've clicked on a few of the top results and suddenly realised that there are many different types and styles of wedding photographers but you're not sure what or who it is that you want.

Are you looking for a 'documentary wedding photographer', 'traditional wedding photographer', 'photojournalistic wedding photographer', 'reportage wedding photographer', 'editorial wedding photographer', or 'fine art wedding photographer' - perhaps you're looking for a 'black and white wedding photographer' or a 'creative wedding photographer' - the list goes on! Do you want your photos to be heavily stylised, be edited in a pastille palette, or have the greens subdued/removed i.e. brown photos? Do you want your wedding photos to be bright and colourful, contrasty and vibrant or dull and desaturated? Are you ok with your wedding photographer adding or removing things that weren't originally in the photo or changing the colour of things e.g. artificial sun flares, light rings, selective colouring? You suddenly find yourself completely overwhelmed by the number of results or perhaps excited at the variety of options - whichever one it is, while trawling through wedding photographers' portfolios can initially be quite fun it can very soon become exhausting, so where do you start?

Wedding Photographer Styles & Types - What's the difference?

Understanding a little about each type of wedding photographer should enable you to quickly rule out some photographers straight away but as with most things in life, it's never quite as straightforward as that. Here's a very brief explanation of my understanding of some of the types of photographers mentioned above:

• Documentary Wedding Photographer - these are the most authentic of photographers and tend to be very hands-off; a true documentary wedding photographer will not interfere in your day in any way. Every moment will be undirected - they will simply show up and document your day, telling the story as they see it. They will also not over-edit your photos, so whatever was present at the moment will remain present in your final wedding photos. This does mean that if you left a plastic carrier bag on the bed or there was something that wasn't aesthetically pleasing when the photo was taken it won't be removed in the final edit. Something to also bear in mind is that these photographers tend not to organise traditional group photos so if group photos are a must for your wedding photography, they may not be the correct style of photographer for you.

• Reportage Wedding Photographer - you may have come across the term 'reportage' when it comes to wedding photography; this type of photography is synonymous with documentary photography and is essentially the same thing. It tends to refer to very literal photographs taken in the moment and at times, the casual observer may often need captions to explain what's going on. In my opinion, and I'm happy to be corrected, I'd class documentary and reportage wedding photography as the same thing.

• Photojournalistic Wedding Photographer - this style of photography is very similar to that of a documentary/reportage style except that this type of photographer will also carry out posed photography as and when needed. They will generally capture scenes as they unfold naturally but may interfere to direct a moment should it be necessary. Photographers who define themselves as photojournalists don't add or remove anything from an image, so your wedding photos will remain true to life and will be depicted exactly as the scene looked when the shutter was clicked. As above, this is great if your wedding was perfectly styled but maybe not so much if you left something unsightly in the background when a photo was taken.

• Traditional Wedding Photographer - while not always true, these types of photographers tend to be a little less creative with a leaning towards simplistic and safe. They will be the types of photographers that your parents had and will be adept at creating straightforward wedding photos that are posed and at eye level, especially for family portraits. These photos will be edited to produce a consistent colour balance that is in keeping with the true colours of the day and will stand the test of time. These days most photographers will incorporate at least some traditional photography in the way in which they work, even if the final photos are not edited in a style that's deemed to be traditional.

• Editorial Wedding Photographer - this style of photography is completely staged, the photographer will direct every moment resulting in a finished gallery of images that are 100% posed and have a high-end luxury feel. This style of wedding photography is more like a photo shoot and quite rare in the UK due to the format of weddings over here, however, there are a growing number of wedding photographers that have perfected this style and specialise in this area. This type of photographer is more likely to be a magazine photographer and/or produce styled commercial shoots for wedding suppliers.

• Fine Art Wedding Photographer - renowned for being light, bright and airy, this style of photography is most associated with film and because of this, these types of photographers can often be confused with those who only shoot film. I'll probably be 'shot down in flames' for this but this title for the style of the photographer is the most confusing and as such is often misused or misrepresented by photographers throughout the wedding industry. My interpretation of a fine art wedding photographer is a photographer who photographs with intent and who is slow and deliberate - often using additional/supplemental light to manufacture the perfect moment with the perfect light. Fine art photographers tend to spend weeks planning before creating their photographs whereas other styles of photographers tend to spend weeks afterwards. A fine art photographer will often direct a moment, making micro-adjustments to poses taking multiple images that are staged to get the perfect shot in the perfect light as such the number of images that you receive will be less than average but each image will be uniquely crafted and exquisitely beautiful. Fine art photographers command a higher price tag and the cynic in me says that this is the reason that so many wedding photographers class themselves in this category - I'd be wary of anyone describing themselves 100% as a fine art wedding photographer because, in my professional opinion, there simply isn't enough time to be this slow and deliberate during a wedding.

• Black and white wedding photographer - this style of photography is self-explanatory. Most black-and-white wedding photographers will only shoot in black and white or will deliver every photo both in colour and in black and white. I love black-and-white photography and would love to be a black-and-white photographer but understand that this severely limits my audience so I tend to lean more towards only delivering photos that I feel will deliver more emotion when in black and white. My wedding photography leans more towards colour these days with an average 80/20 percent split.

• Lifestyle Wedding photographer - this style of wedding photography tends to lend itself to a mixture of both candid and directed moments. It offers a lovely middle ground between documentary and editorial photography and in my opinion, is the category that most wedding photographers tend to sit in these days. While I try to encompass and amalgamate photography from all of the above types of photographers, if I had to choose a category (and this would be very difficult because I use natural and artificial light, posed and unposed photography, creative and editorial) then this would be the category of wedding photographer that I would tend to class myself as. Lifestyle Wedding Photography is where it's at for me - I love to be able to document unobtrusively but if appropriate will always step in to direct a moment if I feel it would look better visually. For example, if you naturally position yourself facing the harsh mid-day sun while greeting your guests after the ceremony, I might briefly interrupt and suggest, "For the best light in your photos, it would be better if you faced this way." Alternatively, I might ask everyone to move a bit towards the shade. I understand there's a delicate balance between enjoying your wedding day and ensuring great photos, so I always consider this before making any suggestions. It's these subtle adjustments that, in my experience, enhance your wedding photos significantly. You can read more about Lifestyle Wedding Photography here.

Well, that turned into a detailed analysis of wedding photographer styles and types (though there are likely many more!). It might have been a bit much, but at least now you have a better idea of what's out there and what kind of photographer I am. So, where is the best place to find your perfect wedding photographer?

Searching Google for the top ten Wedding Photographers in your area

Surely it stands to reason that the top ten photographers listed in Google for your area are the very best? This is an interesting theory because whilst there is an element of truth in this, what it generally means is that the particular photographer's website that you're looking at is appearing higher up the search engine listings because that wedding photographer has paid to be at the top of Google, is better at marketing their work or that Google likes their website more because it adheres to their structure or framework i.e. it loads faster, the images all have a different title etc. Busy wedding photographers who prefer to concentrate more on what they love doing best i.e. wedding photography, can tend to slip down the search results and into the second and third pages of Google or in my case, sometimes further. With this in mind, it's worth taking the time to broaden your search because in doing so, you can truly find the perfect wedding photographer and what's more, they can tend to be a little bit more competitively priced.

Ask for recommendations or read reviews

Make sure to ask for recommendations or to read reviews. Wedding photography is an unregulated industry which makes it very easy for people with little to no experience and poor quality equipment to set up overnight and start calling themselves a 'wedding photographer'. I've lost count of the sad stories that I've heard from couples who get in touch with me asking if they can re-enact their wedding day, just so that they can have a handful of photos to display on their wall and of the couples that get in touch to let me know that they've been let down or can't get in touch with their wedding photographer.

You can ask your venue, your friends and family or even have a search on social media to find the wedding photographer that's right for you. Usually, a working photographer will have their social media up to date but as with some that are very busy, you may find that during the more popular months of May until September, they haven't posted much - something to bear in mind is that this isn't indicative of them not working but quite the opposite. It's also a good idea to read their reviews to get an understanding of who they are and how they work and also to ask them to show you a full wedding gallery if possible. This will give you an idea of the sorts of images they take throughout the day and the consistency of their work in all types of light and weather. Please note (and I'm guilty of this as well!) that photographers will only ever show the very best of their work on social media and or on their websites.

Equipment

Having a good camera does not make a good photographer, just as much as having a paintbrush doesn’t make a great artist. From my perspective as a lake district wedding photographer, I consider that a good wedding photographer should possess a combination of technical skills, creativity, and professionalism. First and foremost, technical skill is essential. A good wedding photographer should have a solid understanding of photography techniques, such as lighting, composition, and camera settings, that allow them to capture high-quality images. They should be able to shoot in different lighting conditions and be able to use a variety of different camera settings to achieve the desired results. They should also be familiar with the latest technology and equipment, and be able to produce stunning, high-resolution images that will stand the test of time. In my opinion, a good wedding photographer will understand both the lighting and environment you are in, know what lens to use, be able to capture the moment and emotion in one shot and be able to compose a good photograph without unsightly things in the background.

For the geeky or technical amongst you, I use the 'R' range of mirrorless cameras from Canon and often work with the R5 and R6 combined with a myriad of prime lenses from the Canon 'L' series as well as the Sigma Art series. My two go-to lenses are the 35mm 1.4 from Sigma and the 85mm 1.2 from Canon.

During the speeches, I tend to switch the 85mm to a 70-200 RF 2.8 for a little more range, however, I carry a bag full of different lenses ensuring adaptability in all situations - mostly primes. In terms of editing, I use Adobe's Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, a 4k 27-inch Apple Mac display that's calibrated with x-rite display calibration and an Apple M1 Ultra Mac Studio and Wacom tablet. For video work, I use the latest version of Davinci Resolve.

Skill and Creativity

Generally, emotions and body language in photos tend to be magnified so if you're feeling nervous about having your photo taken, this will show. As well as the skill and art behind photography you should make sure that you feel comfortable around your photographer, they should make you feel at ease, this is very important because the more relaxed you feel the better the photos will be and the more natural you will look. If you look at a photographer's portfolio and the majority of the images look natural, chances are you have found a good photographer. I try my very best to put everyone I photograph at ease, I know that we are not all used to having our photos taken so I aim to make the whole process fun and easy - most couples thank me afterwards and tell me that they actually enjoyed having their photo taken!

Creativity is also an important quality to look for in a wedding photographer. A good photographer should be able to think outside the box and come up with unique and creative ways to capture the special moments of your wedding day. They should have an eye for detail and be able to capture the essence of your wedding in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful. They should be able to create images that not only tell a story but evoke emotions. When I photograph, I already know how I'm going to edit the photograph and when I do, I paint light and colour into images to bring them to light. It's my goal to take you right back to that very moment and how you felt in the moment when you look at your wedding photos in years to come.

Professionalism and Backup Equipment

As well as creativity, professionalism is key in a wedding photographer. They should be reliable, punctual and have a professional attitude. They should be able to handle any unexpected events that may arise during the wedding day and have the ability to be flexible when things don’t go as planned. For instance, sometimes cameras or flashes can just stop working, often at the most important and unrepeatable of moments. While it is uncommon, I have had cameras decide to malfunction on several occasions. A good photographer should have backup equipment and be able to quickly switch to a backup camera if needed. I carry 2 main cameras when I'm shooting, one to offer wider coverage and one to capture close-ups, as well as this, I will pack a further two cameras for emergency use, just in case - you never can be too careful! I also bring spare flashes, memory cards, batteries, lighting and a myriad of different lenses of the highest quality so that I'm prepared for every eventuality.

Problem-Solving

A wedding photographer should also be a good problem solver and be able to interact with you and your guests in a friendly and respectful manner. They should be used to dealing with people from all different walks of life and know how to deal with situations as they arise - especially ones that may be confrontational. As a wedding photographer, I'm often around people who are drinking, and while most people are happy drinkers, over the years I have experienced my fair share of people who are quite the opposite. I remember being at a wedding once when during the family formal photos, a rather drunk guest decided that it would be funny to make themselves the centre of attention by standing in front of everyone and striking a pose. At first, it was amusing, but as it continued, it became an issue. I distinctly remember lip-reading the bride saying "help me!" multiple times. In order to diffuse the situation, I persuaded the drunk guest to stay out of the photos if I gave them a personal photo shoot there and then, so that they could do all the posing and pull all the funny faces that they wanted. They loved being the centre of attention for a few minutes, and once they had their five minutes of attention, they were happy and we moved on. I've also been threatened when taking photos and had guests try to take my cameras from me or bump into me on purpose. As a photographer, I am very aware of my surroundings, I'm a great people reader, an expert in body language and spookily intuitive.

Experience

Experience is perhaps one of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a wedding photographer. I have over 10 years of experience and have photographed almost a thousand weddings to date. Whoever you choose should have a wealth of experience in wedding photography and be able to provide a portfolio of their previous work for you to see. You should be able to see a good selection of wet wedding photos and bright sunny wedding photos which will give you an idea of their style, skills and the quality of their work in different lighting scenarios. For anyone who isn't sure, I'm completely transparent with my work and as such I'm happy to show selections of weddings from start to finish, in all different seasons. Just ask!

Communication

Finally, communication is one of the most important qualities that a good wedding photographer should possess. They should be able to communicate effectively with you and your venue while understanding your needs and preferences. They should be good at time management, keeping things on schedule and ensuring that you're in the right place at the right time on your wedding day. A good photographer will be able to read the room, read their subject's emotions and be sensitive to the moment. While not everybody requests this, they should also be able to provide guidance and advice on posing and styling, put you in the best light (wherever possible) and ensure that you look your very best in photographs.

There are a million and one other things that a good photographer should be but these are just a few things for you to think about when choosing your wedding photographer. If you're unsure then always trust your gut instinct or talk with your photographer, ask questions and make sure that they're the right photographer for you. If you ever would like any advice, please feel free to ask, I'm an open book and won't ever be offended if you decide that I'm not the right photographer for you - I mean, we don't all like tea do we? Get in touch using the button below or check out my frequently asked questions here.