From a Devon Wedding Photographer
How to choose your wedding photographer
After working in the industry for 9 years, entering as a student photographer, I wanted to share my top tips for prospective and engaged couples to make the most of their wedding photography search, and possibly wedding vendor search in general!
I would recommend not to just choose a photographer because they have a pretty instagram feed - I have heard of many sad cases of couples going with a photographer with a curated and stylish instagram feed, only to find that their photographer lacked experience and didn't live up to expectations. Choosing a wedding photographer who's work you like is very important, but it's also important to look beyond this, to avoid choosing a photographer who has taken part in some gorgeous styled photoshoots but has 0 real wedding experience... and for someone that isn't a wedding photographer, it can be hard to spot. I would recommend looking at the photographers website and searching for any real and full wedding galleries they have published, or get in touch with them to provide this. Then you can verify the photographer has valid experience and isn't trying to sell a false experience.
Secondly, book a discovery call before booking. I think this is important for the photographer and clients - as an engaged couple there will be photographers you gel with and some you don't. All photographers are different with unique personalities and ways of working, and when you find a photographer that you gel with and feel comfortable talking to, that's when some of our best work happens because your photographer can completely relax and do what you have hired them to do, and they will have fun doing it! You will spend the majority of your wedding day with your photographer, as a working guest, and you only want to invite people to your wedding that you actually like :)
Thirdly, reviews! Check the photographers reviews to see the experience of other couples - not every couple leaves a review, and bear in mind reviews can be left in multiple ways (google, Facebook, wedding directories etc), so don't be too harsh when looking at their google page ;)
Fourthly, ensure their paperwork is in order! It is in your interests, as well as the photographers that you have a contract upon booking - the contract should state the services the photographer has offered to you, including the individual items that have been guaranteed within the package you have booked. You should read through the contract, most photographers won't be trying to catch you out with a contract with hidden clauses, but make sure you understand the stipulations and take note of anything you need to do (when the final balance is due, etc). Upon a booking request, I send out my contract and invoice, stipulating the payment details and information on how and when to pay the deposit. I also ask for payment to be sent to my registered business bank account.
These are my four top tips on how to select your wedding photographer - if you fancy checking out my services, including client testimonials and like what you see, don't forget to get in touch to book your discovery call! :)
Love, Chlo x