A guest blog by English Wedding member, Dorset wedding photographer Nathan at Libra Photographic. All images are by Libra Photographic from the English Wedding archives

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Congratulations on your engagement! As you embark on the exciting journey of planning your wedding, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the myriad of decisions you need to make. One of the most crucial aspects of your wedding day is the photography, as these images will serve as timeless mementos of your love and celebration. But where do you start?

Whether you’re just beginning to plan or are knee-deep in wedding magazines and Pinterest boards, finding the right photographer can seem daunting. To help you navigate this process, I’ve put together some essential questions to ask, key things to look for, tips on making your final decision, and what to expect once you’ve booked your photographer.

These insights will not only help you choose the perfect person to capture your day but will also ease some of the stress, allowing you to focus on the joy of your upcoming wedding. So, let’s dive in and get you one step closer to saying “I do” with confidence and peace of mind.

5 Basic Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

1. Can I see a full gallery of a recent wedding?

Now as a photographer I would say this is the first and most important question you should ask any photographer you like the look of. There are so many cheats that photographers can use these days. There are styled shoots with models, AI editing and even AI photos that are complete fabrication. When you see an entire wedding, you get to see how a photographer works throughout the whole day, not just the select moments.

2. What is your photography style?

Understanding whether they specialise in traditional, photojournalistic, or artistic styles will help you see if their vision aligns with yours. If you choose a pure documentary approach to a wedding you should not expect group photos or portraits, however most photographers, like me, will offer a blended approach to this. Just be aware that the ‘traditional’ groups and poses take longer than you may think.

3. How do you handle low-light situations?

Weddings differ to most other types of photography as wedding photographers can’t postpone for weather or wait for the perfect light. Low light used to be a problem but with newer cameras we can photograph easily in low light. I’d suggest asking your wedding photographer how they handle bad light. For example, harsh, strong sunshine or a room with artificial lighting and small or no windows. Ask to see examples! You don’t need to know the technical aspects; your eyes and heart will tell you if it works.

4. What is included in packages?

More does not mean value, what you really pay for in the experience that the photographer brings to your wedding. A wedding photographer will have worked in all situations and made mistakes long before attending your wedding. If you want a pre wedding shoot or an Album they are great additions but time is the thing that should come first. 

5. What is your backup plan if you cannot attend?

2020 brought this to the table more than any other time, we really found out the hard way that things beyond our control can happen. Photographers tend to be solo workers so what if they fall ill, break a limb or even just their trigger finger. Your photographer must have a backup plan, listed in their contract. Ask what it is and how they implement it.

Further reading: 60 Questions to ask your wedding photographer

5 Things to Look for in a Wedding Photographer

1. Portfolio Consistency

As mentioned earlier ensure their work is consistently high-quality across different weddings and environments. Does the colour stay consistent, are the skin tones accurate, does the grass look green? These are all photographic style attributes see below when consistent but inconsistency shows a photographer who is experimenting and developing a look.

2. Personality and Communication

A photographer’s personality can greatly influence your day, so finding someone who makes you feel comfortable is key. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not saying some photographers are terrible but we don’t get on with everyone in life, that’s just fact. Meet your photographer and have a conversation, you’ll know pretty quickly if you gel. If your photographer doesn’t instantly make you relax how are they going to do it on a wedding day when under time pressure?

3. Reviews and Testimonials

Look for feedback from previous clients to gauge reliability and satisfaction. Testimonials on a website are good but not checked for authenticity. Head over to google or Trustpilot for reviews direct from past couples. Do they all describe a similar experience?

4. Experience and Expertise

Experience, particularly with weddings, ensures they can handle any situation smoothly. Wedding photography includes reportage/ documentary photography where they need to observe, people management without being rude, portraiture but other than those obvious ones. Food photography, product photography, still life photography, Landscape photography, aerial photography, stamina (yes, photographers need to be wedding fit) and work well in the Team of suppliers or vendors at your wedding.

5. Post-Processing Style

Check their editing style to ensure it matches your vision for your wedding photos. Just search sepiagate to see one bride’s reaction to a post processing style. A photographer’s style is their working preference and you employ them for it. The photographer in question here had consistent style which wasn’t noticed by the bride until after the delivery of her photos. As an extreme metaphor you wouldn’t as Monet to paint like Picasso would you? When selecting a photographer you are choosing their artistic view on the world around them. 

How to Make a Final Decision

1. Compare Portfolios Side-by-Side

Lay out the best work from your top choices to see whose style resonates most with you.

2. Meet in Person or Virtually

Personal interaction can reveal a lot about their professionalism and compatibility with your personality.

3. Evaluate Packages and Pricing

Consider what each photographer offers and how that aligns with your budget and needs.

4. Review Contracts Carefully

Ensure you understand the terms, including delivery timelines, rights to images, and cancellation policies.

5. Trust Your Gut

Ultimately, go with the photographer who not only meets your criteria but also feels right.

What to Expect Once You’ve Booked Your Photographer

1. Initial Consultation

A detailed discussion to understand your vision, timeline, and any specific shots you want.

2. Engagement/Pre wedding Session (if included)

A great opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and build rapport with your photographer.

3. Pre-Wedding Communication

Expect regular check-ins as the wedding date approaches to finalise schedules, shot lists, and any last-minute changes.

4. Day-of Coordination

Your photographer will blend into the background while capturing candid moments, as well as directing posed shots seamlessly.

5. Post-Wedding Process

Editing and post-processing typically take a few weeks and longer during high season. You’ll usually receive a preview first, followed by the full gallery, and then any albums or prints as per your package.

Now that is a lot of information but choosing your photographer and videographer is in my opinion something that can make or break a wedding as we spend a lot of time with you on the wedding day, we meet all your guests at some point in the day and give you one of the only things that last longer than a few months after your wedding, an album of memories that get shared for generations.