So you've set a date, secured a venue and are in the planning stages of your big day.
What should you consider in terms of your photographer, do you need to factor them into your timetable, when should I book them, does price matter? Hopefully this article will give you some pointers.
Secure you photographer.
Most important! If you are planning 12, 24 or 36 months in advance you can be assured that many other couples are doing exactly the same so if you have found a photographer that you like - book them! I often take bookings for 2-3 years in advance, and as often get enquiries for a few months away which generally cannot be accommodated.
Most photographers will ask for a booking fee to secure your date, with the remainder due before the big day, often you can make payments along the way.
Price vs Number of Images
This is a tricky one to explain, and other photographers may have a different view but from my perspective I want to provide the best images of your day which capture all the good stuff. I don't want to give you hundreds of images of wedding favours, and flowers to make up the numbers.
Typically I would provide upwards of 200 images from a full days coverage, this can go up and down on the number of guests, location and group shots. Discuss with your photographer how they work but don't be distracted trying to compare photographers prices to the number of images you receive.
Group Shots
Ahh... the group shots, now we all know if we have been to a wedding there is always the group shots, it's a tradition and why not, but don't let them take over your day!!
Sit down and write a list, put the list away and them come back to it a week later and look again - do you really need all the combinations? if the answer is yes then fine, no problem at all. Bear in mind however the time it will take to arrange the people, to find Aunt Maggie who has wandered off, to wrangle all the children into some form of line and to get everyone looking in the right place! Typically on an average wedding I would allow 30 - 40 mins for group shots.
On the day, have your list to hand and give it to someone how has knowledge of all the people and preferably a round voice! usually I like to give the people herding task to the best man.
Couples Shots
Soooo... you've looked at several photographers websites and found someone who's photos you like, you like their couples shots - now think, is that us? An odd question I know but you need to feel reasonably comfortable that you and your partner will feel comfortable working with your photographer to achieve the photos you want.
My main thought during the day is that it's your day and I want you to remember all the good stuff and not being made to feel uncomfortable just for some pictures.
If you are not the touchy, feely couple then that is perfectly fine tell your photographer as they should be wanting to capture you as the couple you are and not as two models on a photoshoot.
But trust your photographer, and allow them to suggest some poses for you - after all this is what they do and its their style.
Why are you so damn expensive?!
"All you do is stand there and click a button, why are you charging that much?"
This is a question I see all over the place, and have been asked myself. The simple answer is there is a lot of factors which go into your day, from the meetings before hand, advertising, managing enquiries, writing blogs. Then you have equipment costs, IT equipment, travel business expenses - and so it goes on! And don't forget editing, some photographers (like me) have a certain 'look' to their photos and this is achieved via editing them, we also straighten and crop images, take out things in the background which detract from the picture and this all takes time.
So, yes it can be expensive but the images I hope you get are priceless.
Top Tips
Book well ahead
Love your photographers work
Allow time in your timetable for group and couple shots
Set a realistic budget
Trust your photographer
Don't be distracted by numbers of images
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