How to choose a wedding photographer

Groom's details Vila Bled Luxury weddings



With the advent of technology, anyone can claim to be a professional wedding photographer, which can lead to disappointing results for couples who aren't diligent in their selection. So, how do you ensure you're getting the best wedding photographer for your special day?

With over 12 years of experience in the international wedding industry, I'm here to share my insights on selecting the right photographer. Every couple deserves memories they will treasure for a lifetime.

A dear friend of mine, who is also a wedding photographer, recently remarried in the US. Despite having many photographer friends, she chose to look outside her circle for her wedding photographer. She explained her decision: "I had a tough choice. I wanted so many of my friends to photograph my wedding for various reasons, as each has a unique approach to their craft. How could I possibly choose? More importantly, I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by picking one over another. Plus, I wanted my closest photographer friends to enjoy the day as guests, not as workers. So, I decided to think outside the box."

She selected a young photographer from outside her region, impressed by her portfolio. On her wedding day, she was so engrossed in the celebration that she didn't monitor what was being captured.

Weeks later, when she received an email with the gallery details, her anticipation turned to heartbreak. Many of the photos she had hoped for, the ones she considered important, were missing. In a state of shock, she asked her husband to contact the photographer to inquire about additional photos. The response was disheartening: there were no more photos to show as the photographer had already deleted the rest.


With the advent of technology, anyone can claim to be a professional wedding photographer, which can lead to disappointing results for couples who aren't diligent in their selection.


As the bride recalls, "I often get questions from couples where I think, 'Duh, of course, I'm going to capture that!' Yet, for my own wedding, I never asked those same questions. I assumed my photographer would capture the simple yet essential elements: the atmosphere, the detailed setting, individual portraits of the bride and groom during and after preparations—both candid and posed, candid shots of family members and guests mingling, and the intricate details of the designer wedding cake. These are the many layers that make up a wedding day."

When she finally mustered the courage to speak directly to the photographer for an explanation, the response was a blunt retort: "Those kinds of photos are not her thing."

"I was heartbroken," she continued. "All these details cannot be recreated; they are fleeting moments in time. Moments that I wanted to remember, moments that so much thought and time went into creating. I paid someone to document all of this, not just to get a handful of photos that might only resonate with her artistic vision or win some meaningless award she could brag about."

This experience was a hard lesson, and if it can happen to a very successful wedding photographer, it can happen to anyone. It highlights why there are no silly or dumb questions when it comes to capturing your wedding day. Every detail matters, and ensuring your photographer understands your vision is crucial.

So how does a bride know if she is getting a real pro for her wedding day? And how can you ensure that you do not get burned? Presented here are a few things you should keep in mind when searching for a wedding photographer.


Portfolio

When you're reviewing a photographer's portfolio, ask yourself: Do you feel engaged? Can you envision yourself in those moments? Most importantly, do you desire images like the ones you see? If you can answer 'yes' to these questions, you're on the right track. Another key aspect is to look for complete weddings in their portfolio. Does the photographer showcase a variety of weddings, or are they limited to just one or two?

Consider these questions when deciding if your photographer will capture the many details that make your day special:

  • Do they have a macro lens for capturing the intricate details like rings, dresses, and elements of the venue that tell your story?

  • Will they capture the uniqueness of the interior and exterior settings?

  • Do they photograph portraits of the bride and groom during preparations?

  • Will they take candid shots of family interactions?

  • Can they arrange and capture group photos effectively? Are these groups well-lit and composed in a way that would look impressive on your family room wall?

  • Will they include a portrait of your grandparents or other special guests?

Many photographers prefer to showcase only their best work, but it's crucial to understand how they handle challenging situations. For example:

  • What is their approach when it rains? Can they still produce beautiful images?

  • How do they manage lighting in dark venues like halls or churches? Do they rely on flash, and if so, does it result in natural-looking photos or harsh lighting?

It's vital to have a visual understanding of what your photographer is capable of capturing before you commit to them documenting the most important day of your life. This ensures that every moment, from the grand to the minute, is preserved in a way that reflects the significance of your celebration.

Chateau Mcely candlelit opulence

Reviews and recommendations

The best thing about the internet is the ability to find out about the people you may be working with. Google reviews are a great resource, though do a double check to see if reviewers have only one or two reviews as this may be a red flag. Also, note that the best talent may not always be at the top of the first page of Google. Photographers can be quite savvy at building a website that attracts people (or the search engines) but the photography and or services can be quite poor. It is best to go through several pages of search engine results. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you find on page 2 or even page 3 of Google.

Wedding Wire, Bridestory, or various other industry sites are also quite helpful when it comes to appraising your photographer. Also, how much of a media presence do they have? Have they been around for a while or are they relatively new? Do they operate under their name or do they have a studio that may have changed hands?

Also note that the best talent may not always be at the top of the first page of Google."

Price


When considering the cost of hiring a wedding photographer, it's crucial not to let budget constraints restrict you to someone lacking in experience or talent. We've all heard the horror stories of couples choosing their photographer solely based on price, only to regret it later. Remember, your wedding photos are what you'll have to cherish the memories forever, so investing in a seasoned professional is often the safest choice.

Budget Wedding Photographers in Prague typically charge under 100 EUR per hour. These photographers might be learning their craft, just starting out, or looking to earn extra income on the side. At this price, most are not full-time professionals, which often means they might lack backup equipment, advanced lighting gear, or even insurance. They may also struggle with the varied lighting challenges that a full wedding day presents. With such low pricing, expectations should be adjusted accordingly.

Talented Wedding Photographers in Prague charge between 100 - 250 EUR per hour. This range includes photographers who produce high-quality images. Many are willing to travel for destination weddings to enrich their portfolios. The variation in pricing can be attributed to several factors: photographers from countries with lower living costs (like Ukraine, Russia, China), those who might not declare their income for tax purposes, or those aiming to attract more clients by keeping prices low. Some might compensate for lower hourly rates by selling additional products like books or prints.

At this price point, you can expect a collection of high-resolution edited files. However, what 'edited' entails can vary widely—from simple culling and color correction or auto-correction with Lightroom presets, to more meticulous individual color correction for consistency, especially at the higher end of the spectrum. Here, the emphasis shifts from quantity to quality. It's also important to clarify what 'high-resolution' means, as it could refer to different file sizes or native resolutions. Always inquire directly for specifics.

Keep in mind that at the lower end of this price range, retouching like skin corrections, teeth and eye whitening, or removing unwanted shadows or distractions is typically not included. However, some photographers at the higher end might offer this on selected portraits, though it's not standard.

The premium end of wedding photography pricing is fascinating, with costs determined by what the market will bear, often reflecting the photographer's reputation, expertise, and the exclusivity of their services.

For a broader perspective, a 2021 Shotkit survey indicated that in the US, wedding photographers average between $3000 - $3500, while in the UK, they range from £1500-2000. These figures highlight how living costs and the photographer's level of expertise significantly influence pricing.

When choosing your photographer, remember that price often correlates with the value you receive in terms of experience, quality, and the final product, making it worth considering beyond just the initial cost.

Set up a time to chat

If you have found a photographer whose work resonates with you then it is time to contact them to arrange a Skype or Zoom call. Having a face-to-face conversation is always the best way to communicate your ideas, vision, and any concerns. It is also a great opportunity to get to know each other. Ensuring that you gel well and are have trust in their ability will allow you to relax and enjoy your day more. It is also a great time to review complete weddings and products such as books. This is a great way to get a better feel of their experiences and expertise.

Customer Service

Most of what we do as photographers is customer service. There is a noticeable difference between those who have been doing this for a while and the newcomers who are only focused on shooting for their portfolio. The most important lesson is - never assume, always ask. It is their job to answer your questions. Many younger photographers cannot be bothered to capture the many details and layers that comprise one's wedding day. It is simply too much work and provides no value to them. Many couples find out the hard way that this is how they work. As a bride & groom, you should have all of your pertinent questions answered beforehand. If they are unable or unwilling to answer the simplest of questions this should be interpreted as a red flag.

Where is Your Photographer Based?

Having a local wedding photographer is usually a good idea. The reasons are:

1 They can suggest the best locations for your photos

2 They can help in planning your timeline accurately as they are familiar with how much time it takes to get between locations

3 You can schedule a venue walk through together to discuss ideas and possible issues

4 They can also give you a much needed second opinion outside of the wedding planners

5 As they are local - there are no travel and accommodation costs

Schedule an Engagement Session

Once you’ve selected your wedding photographer why not schedule an engagement photoshoot? This is a great time to test your chemistry and get to know them and their style. You will be especially interested to see if they make you comfortable and relaxed. The engagement session is like a trial run for the wedding day and getting to know what works (best angles, personal likes, and dislikes) will prove to be very beneficial on your wedding day. This is essential to creating emotional, beautiful, joyful images and in a style that you desire.

Another wonderful idea is to bring in a set of evening wear for a night portrait session at a wonderful location. You can then have a large canvass print or a collection of these prints showcasing the two of you on-site at the wedding dinner venue. Having these beautiful, flawless portraits are a real eye-opener. One of my favorite weddings in Hong Kong featured about 14 images from a pre-wedding that I had captured of the bride & groom. They were so happy with the results they flew me to Hong Kong to be a guest at their wedding. Seeing those beautiful large format prints that greeted their wedding guests was a tremendous feeling and it beautifully complimented this very stylish and successful couple.

Wedding planners

Wedding planners are a great resource in sourcing your wedding photographer. However, some agencies are only interested in working with wedding photographers who pay the most in commissions. As much as we like to think that the wedding planners are there for the couples, the reality is this is a business and they are thinking of their bottom line. Many photographers who want to break into the wedding industry will pay a substantial percentage to be a part of those teams. Thankfully the internet is able to bring forth some much-needed transparency regarding this. As a personal note every wedding agency should stand proudly behind the vendors they work with. If they do not provide the full names of the photographers on their site this should be a red-flag.

Ultimately it is your choice who you want to capture the best day of your life. Leaving the decision up to one who is only looking at their bottom line rarely results in a satisfying experience.


One of the most important decisions couples will need to make is what kind of wedding style do you desire?


For younger / hip couples the more 'arty' or modern/contemporary photographers rue the day. For older, more established, wealthier couples the traditional approach is always in demand. For other couples, a photographer who can offer a mixture of styles is usually the best route. Regardless, knowing the right style will go a long way in your decision-making process.


bride & groom & flower girls Middleton Park weddings

Traditional wedding photographers capture straightforward, posed photos similar to those from your parents' weddings, appealing to couples who prefer timeless images over trendy ones.

Higher-end traditional photographers are detail-oriented, focusing on posing, lighting, and clean backgrounds to produce studio-quality, classically elegant images. They often use studio lighting and work with assistants, justifying higher rates due to their specialized teams. For instance, some focus on interiors, details, or candids, while 'rock star' photographers concentrate on the bride and groom's portraits, delegating other tasks to their team. In one wedding I covered, a team of 6 photographers and 4 videographers each had specific roles, like one using a super-wide lens and another specializing in macro photography.


Newlweds walking through sprinkler at Prague Castle

Photojournalist or reportage wedding photographers capture your wedding day as it naturally unfolds, with minimal intervention. Their photos focus on authentic moments, telling your story from start to finish, rather than aiming for artistic or magazine-like images. Many opt for black and white photography, and some exclusively use film. Since their emphasis is on real, candid moments, they rarely pose couples. At the higher end, these photographers might shoot in both black and white and color, often using film for a unique touch.


timeless, elegant Mirror Chapel

Editorial wedding photographers focus on creating magazine-worthy images by posing the bride and groom in stylized setups. This approach requires more time as each photo is carefully crafted to achieve a polished, high-end look without overly disrupting the wedding day. When executed well, the result resembles a luxury magazine photo essay. These photographers typically do not capture candid moments, group, or family photos. Wedding planners often showcase these styled shoots on their websites, which feature models in wedding attire but lack elements like wine, food, or lit candles, and there are no guests in the images. This indicates a styled shoot rather than a real wedding. Many photographers looking to enhance their portfolios will offer to shoot these sessions for free for wedding planners.


Penar & Cem

Dark & Moody is exactly what it sounds; dark, moody, and when done well - dramatic. By working with harsh light, darkness, or with shadows they create a uniquely dark visual style. This style is especially suited for adventurous elopements - think of those amazing mountain vistas or valleys at dawn or dusk of the bride and groom snuggled up trying to stay warm. Or a sunrise wedding day portrait session such as this one captured above. Though wonderful for elopements it may not be practical for most wedding celebrations due to time constraints, the light, and the locations.


Anne & Lawrence -  Chateau Liblice wedding





Fine Art wedding photographers are commonly associated with the film like quality. It has a more light, bright, and airy feel to the images. When done well the imagery tends to be very polished and the portraits have a natural look. These photographers will also spend quite a bit of time capturing the many details that wedding planners love showcasing on their websites: interiors, floral arrangements, table details and etc.

Many fine art photographers will not shoot the candids, groups photos, or family photos whereas others do. As many photographers are labeling themselves as Fine Art wedding photographers it is best to find out what exactly they capture and what they do not. Please also note that the Light & Airy style of wedding photography is intermixed with this term.








Slovakian bride groom surrounded colorful bokehballs



Contemporary or modern wedding photographers tend to offer various styles as they enjoy taking creative risks. They will incorporate artistic angles, lighting and utilize the atmosphere to create dramatic images as well as capture heartfelt emotions. They will pose you for those creative portraits as well as capture the candids. The better ones are also able to work well with both natural and artificial light to create dramatic and unique imagery. As their style is much more fluid they are usually much more agreeable to their client's wishes. With the changes in technology these photographers are also pushing the boundaries of wedding photography and the results are stunning.


A word about Videographers

As weddings are so tightly choreographed having videographers and photographers working together can be problematic. Especially when one is more photojournalist in approach and the other one is thinking of transitions, details, and zooming in and zooming out for their music video. For example the bride brushing her hand across a wedding dress before she puts it on will need to be art directed and shot several times to get the right look, focus, and light. This works incredibly well for those video transitions but if your videographer is taking up all of the brides time - what will the photographer have to show for it?

The happy Anna and Sergio under the floral arch

If you are having both a videographer and a photographer please add more time to your timeline. You will need the extra time for the preparation, the portrait session, and capturing the details during the key moments of the day. Both crews will appreciate the extra time to do their jobs correctly and you may get a kick out of seeing how two unique versions of your wedding day are captured and created on your behalf.


If you are having both a videographer and a photographer please add more time to your timeline

Image Retouching

When examining a photographer's portfolio, look for details like clear skin tones, bright teeth and eyes, and the absence of blemishes, wrinkles, or distractions. Professional photographers invest time in retouching to ensure a polished look, which justifies higher fees. It's not just about applying a Lightroom filter; it's about crafting a flawless representation of your memories. Ensure your photographer excels in this aspect.


Albums and Other Products

Decide how you'll cherish your wedding photos—whether through wall displays or an album that narrates your day. Before booking, view samples of albums, prints, or wall art. Many photographers offer these, but some do not. If meeting in person isn't possible, request samples via Skype or Zoom. A reputable photographer will have a portfolio of sample albums, showcasing their design skills in line with your vision.


In Conclusion

Your photographer should enhance your wedding day. Comfort, communication, and trust are key for your peace of mind. After all, your photos are the lasting mementos of your wedding.

About the Author: Kurt Vinion, a former photojournalist, now captures the happiest moments in people's lives. Living in Prague since 2008, he previously resided in Germany and the US, where he attended a top photojournalism school and served as director of photography at the University of Louisville. His wedding photography blends photojournalism with a modern, contemporary style.



how to choose a wedding photographer

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