Booking a Wedding Photographer (Mistakes)
9 Mistakes Couples Make When Booking a Wedding Photographer (And How to Avoid Them)
When it comes to booking your wedding photographer, it’s not as simple as just finding some photos you like and then just reaching out and booking them. From my experience of shooting weddings all over the world as a destination wedding photographer, most of my couples say that the photographer is possibly the most important decision they make when planning their weddings. As you’ll likely be aware, one the wedding is over, the confetti has settled and you’ve laughed, and cried all day, all you’ll have left are your wedding photos.
You have to know that there are so many choices when it comes to hiring a professional to capture your wedding day. There are so many styles, from editorial to candid, personalities, from laid-back to super outgoing, and packages, from simple and obvious to complex. If you don’t do your research, you could end up stressed, disappointed, or both. Here are some tips to get you started in looking for the perfect wedding photographer for your big day.
1. Waiting Too Long to Book
The Mistake: Waiting until a few months before the wedding to reach out.
Why It’s a Problem: Many photographers (especially the best ones)(like me! See for yourself!) can get booked up 12–24 months in advance, especially for popular dates.
What to Do Instead: As soon as you have your date and venue, reach out to your favourite photographers to check their availability.
2. Choosing Based on Price Alone
The Mistake: Going with the cheapest option to save money.
Why It’s a Problem: A low price often means less experience, lower quality, or a lack of backup plans.
What to Do Instead: Look at portfolios, reviews, and how the photographer makes you feel, not just how much they cost. Arrange a video call/consultation with them if you can. Getting a feel for the person who is going to spend the day with you is incredibly important.
3. Not Meeting Your Photographer First
The Mistake: Booking someone without a call or meeting. Just like I mentioned in the previous tip.
Why It’s a Problem: Your wedding photographer gets a front-row seat to the entire wedding. I personally have a super subtle approach to a wedding day. Though I want to be as present as I can. The more I’m “there” the more it will fell like you’re “there” when looking back at the wedding photos. Though I’m always respectful and let the moments flow naturally.
What to Do Instead: Book a video call or meet up to make sure you connect and feel comfortable. The more you can connect with your photographer, the more they’ll fit in to your wedding day, resulting in the best images that represent you.
4. Skipping the Full Gallery Review
The Mistake: Only looking at highlight reels and photos on Instagram or just looking at their portfolio page.
Why It’s a Problem: As a wedding photographer myself, I can only show so much on my website and social media. So naturally, I’m only going to showcase my best work. But what is the rest of my photography work like? What does a full wedding gallery look like from start to finish? Will the full gallery match up to the quality of the portfolio and Instagram?
What to Do Instead: Ask your potential wedding photographer if you can see what a full wedding gallery looks like? This way, you’ll get to see what a full set looks like and how they shoot in different lighting conditions.
5. Not Thinking About Style
The Mistake: Booking a photographer whose style doesn’t match your vision.
Why It’s a Problem: Maybe you’ve seen a wedding photographer online and you love their personality and branding. Maybe you love their editorial style portraits, but their candid work isn’t the best,t and the natural and relaxed stuff is super important to you.
What to Do Instead: Spend time exploring different styles—light & airy, dark & moody, documentary, editorial—and choose one that resonates with you. My style is a perfect hybrid blend of editorial and candid. I shot a wedding recently in Ireland, which is a great example of this. Though almost of all of my weddings are like this.
6. Forgetting to Read the Contract
The Mistake: Skimming the contract and not asking questions.
Why It’s a Problem: You might miss key info about payment terms, image rights, or delivery times. In the contract that you have with your wedding photographer, it will likely contain things like image rights, delivery times, payment terms, cancellation terms and more. Do you images come in colour, black and white or both?
What to Do Instead: Read every section carefully and ask your photographer to explain anything you’re unsure about.
7. Not Sharing the Timeline Early
The Mistake: Leaving your photographer out of the schedule planning.
Why It’s a Problem: You might not allow enough time for portraits, group photos or miss the best light of the day. Also if you’re wedding is taking place at different locations it could create logistical issues.
What to Do Instead: Share your draft timeline early so your photographer can advise on the best times for each part of the day. In my workflow, personally, I send out a form for all of my brides and grooms. I gather as much information as possible so that you don’t have to worry about much. Some photographers might not do this though so it’s a good idea to make sure they know of all the plans your have for the wedding.
8. Not Asking About Backup Plans
The Mistake: Assuming everything will go perfectly (for the photographer).
Why It’s a Problem: Cameras can break, memory cards can fail, people get sick, and the weather can change.
What to Do Instead: Ask what equipment they’ll be bringing and if they have backup gear. What happens if one of their memory card fails? Ask what the process is if they were to be sick on your wedding day or break a wrist a week before the big day.
9. Ignoring the Experience Factor
The Mistake: Thinking anyone with a good camera can shoot a wedding.
Why It’s a Problem: Weddings are fast-paced and unpredictable. Some photographers build a portfolio from styled shoots and second shooting with little to no real wedding experience.
What to Do Instead: Choose a photographer with real wedding experience who can adapt to any situation and still deliver beautiful images. As a wedding photographer with over 300 weddings all over the world from nearby Cheshire to Asia, Europe and the USA I’m extremely adaptable and experienced in so many different cultures, weather, wedding size and lighting conditions.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to choosing your wedding photographer, it’s not just about good-looking pictures. It’s all about finding the perfect match for you, your partner and your personalities. You want to make sure you’re hiring someone who is going to make you feel comfortable all day. Someone who is going to understand you and make images that truly represent who you are and how your wedding day felt. You want a professional who is going to provide the perfect service tailored to you.
