How to Choose & Hire your Wedding Photographer in 8 Easy Steps

Picking your wedding photographer is an important decision, once the wedding is over these photos will hold all those memories and key moments. There are thousands of photographers in the UK, so how do you go about choosing a professional wedding photographer for your special day.

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

Here are our 8 tips and considerations for choosing the perfect wedding photographer.

1. Style

First off, decide on your style. You can browse our site to see hundreds of different wedding photos by various photographers. However, it is important to find a photography style that matches what you want—something you envision for your photos. Shortlist photographers who align with your preferred style, whether it’s reportage, traditional, contemporary, or quirky and creative.

Get a feel for the types of photos you like and would want. If you prefer to relax and let your photographer capture the day as it unfolds, focusing on the emotions of your guests, then a documentary style is for you. If you’re looking for fun and quirky photos with your partner and something a little different, consider photographers who have a distinct and unique style.

2. Experience

They may have been taking photos for years but only recently started capturing weddings. Ensure they have a solid few years of experience photographing weddings.

Weddings are very different from fashion shoots or staged shots, as they are dynamic and live events. An experienced wedding photographer will understand the flow of the day and know where to be at the right time to capture those stunning shots.

3. Recommendations

If they have the experience then they should certainly have a lot of testimonials and great references. Check out their reviews on their listing page.

4. Consistency

You may have found a photographer with the perfect style you’re looking for and seen some great shots on their website. Now, you want to see some complete albums from entire weddings. Each photographer on wedissimo has a profile page where you can see hundreds of photos.

You’re looking for consistency. Make sure the style you love is present throughout the entire album. You want to ensure they have a collection of stunning shots, not just one or two that you may have seen in a website slideshow.

Wedding photography isn’t just about a few standout photos; it’s about a beautiful story you’ll treasure for life. Ensure the albums document and tell a story through stunning photos, with consistent quality throughout and each photo being exceptional on its own.

Also, review their Instagram profile, as many photographers post regularly with photos from recent weddings. This can quickly give you an idea of the types of weddings they capture and an overall feel for their style.

5. Location

Have they shot at your venue? While this isn’t necessary, it can be an added bonus. If they have, you can see the wedding shots they’ve taken there and they’ll already know the best locations at the venue for great photos.

Your venue may recommend or suggest photographers. While it’s worth checking them out, don’t feel restricted. Explore other options and see if there are photographers who suit your style better. If you find someone you like, don’t hesitate to get in touch with them.

6. Backup

This ties into the next point about trust and confidence in your photographer. Fortunately, if you book through wedissimo we’ve got you covered as long as we you let us know about any cancellation.

7. Personality

When meeting the photographer, ask them questions. As you go through their work, how do they come across? Do you feel at ease with them? Do they answer all your questions with confidence? It’s crucial to feel happy working with them and comfortable in their presence. Ensure that you feel you can trust them to capture the biggest day of your life.

When chatting with them, you want it to feel relaxed, like talking to a friend or someone you’ve known for years. If you feel comfortable and at ease with them, it will help create better and more natural photos. You’ll be more relaxed during the shoot and more open to fun and creative ideas your photographer may have for great shots.

8. Go with your Gut

Finally, trust your instincts. If you love their work and everything feels right, go for it! Your perfect wedding photographer? Tick! And done.

Wedding Photography FAQ

We have the answers to all your wedding photography queries, questions, and thoughts. Let’s dive in!

How to find a wedding photographer

When it comes to finding your perfect wedding photographer our site is a great start. You can browse photographers by style, location and budget, message them, book video calls with them and pay securely online by credit card. Other ways to find a wedding photographer include recommendations from recently married friends—ask who they used. You can also ask on Facebook, check Pinterest for images you like, and see if those photographers are available for your date – but do be careful about who you send money to for the deposit. If something goes wrong you’re not protected.

How long should my photography stay for?

The number of hours you need your wedding photographer depends on the events of your day and the photos you want. Start by considering your schedule: What time will you be getting ready? When will you leave for the ceremony? What time does it start and end? What time will you arrive at the reception? When will you eat, cut the cake, and hit the dance floor?

While this is a lengthy list, it will help you create a timeline for the day and determine how many hours of coverage you need. Most photographers offer full-day packages, but if you only want photos of the ceremony you can see some example packages here.

Remember, photos of you getting ready might not sound very exciting, but they capture the emotion, fun, and happiness of you and your bridesmaids preparing for the day. This is an important part of your wedding story, as is the preparation of the groom and groomsmen.

Your wedding photos are a narrative of the day, so aim to capture it from start to finish—from getting ready to the first dance. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you only get one chance to capture it all.

What are the differences between all these different styles? (Reportage, Traditional, Candid & Quirky)

There are a few common styles and terms that come up when looking at photographers: traditional, documentary, and fine art.

Traditional photography involves more set-up and formal shots, including plenty of couple photos and group shots with family. This style captures images with a more formal approach.

In contrast, documentary photography focuses on natural photos and storytelling. It captures the emotions of you and your guests in a more candid way, often without them even being aware of the camera. This approach creates a natural story and genuine emotion.

Whereas fine art photography is more the sort of thing you would see in magazines. It looks great but can involve a lot posing and is typically more expensive because the skills required and the amount of time taken to edit them. Of course, you can combine styles to suit your preferences. For example, you might choose a quirky, creative documentary photographer who also takes some traditional shots of you and your family.

What makes a good wedding photographer?

Having a good camera does not make you a good photographer, just as having a paintbrush doesn’t make you a great artist. It’s how you use the equipment and what you create with it that matters. A skilled wedding photographer will understand the lighting and environment, capture moments and emotions in a single shot, and compose beautiful photos. They will ensure the focus is sharp and avoid issues with lighting or distracting elements in the background.

In addition to the technical skill and artistry of photography, it’s important that you feel comfortable around your photographer. They should make you feel at ease, as the more relaxed you are, the better the photos will be and the more natural you will look.

What questions should I ask my wedding photographer?

When you find a photographer you love and everything feels right, you might still worry about whether there are things you need to ask that you haven’t thought of. Your photographer should put you at ease and answer any questions you have. Ideally, they should have anticipated your concerns and addressed them in general conversation before you even had to ask. To ensure you have everything covered, take a look at our article on Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer.

Should my wedding photographer be insured?

Yes, your photographer should have liability insurance, which many venues will require. Liability insurance covers incidents such as the photographer tripping and falling or accidentally knocking into a guest with their camera. Ask your photographer about their insurance, but don’t worry too much—most professionals will have this covered.

How much should my wedding photographer cost?

Wedding photography costs can vary widely depending on your budget and how much you value the service. Full-day coverage typically starts at £1,000 or more. According to a recent survey, the average spend by couples in the UK was £1,520 on photography, which can give you a good idea of what to budget for.

Other factors to consider include how many hours of coverage you want, whether you want an album put together, and if you would like the photos to be printed as well.

Read our article on how much to budget to help give you an idea of costs, and what is included.

How many photos should a wedding photographer give you?

There are no definitive answers, as costs will vary depending on the photographer and the length of their coverage. Obviously, it will be less expensive if they are only there for the ceremony compared to covering the entire day.

Photographers will take hundreds of photos on the day, however this does not mean you will get every single one, some will be test shots, maybe out of focus or just not great. Check out this article for more info on why ‘Why Wedding Photographers Won’t Give you Unedited Photos‘.

What is a second shooter, and should I have one?

A second shooter is an additional wedding photographer who captures photos from a different angle. The benefit of having a second shooter is that one photographer can focus on the bride, capturing shots of her getting ready at the hotel, while the other photographer can capture the groom. This is especially useful if you and your partner are getting ready in different locations.

On your wedding day, your photographer cannot be in two places at once, so a second shooter provides the opportunity to capture different angles. This includes shots of guests arriving at the church, photos from inside the church, various angles as you walk down the aisle, and close-ups of your guests’ faces and emotions.

A second photographer is great for getting a more comprehensive array of shots that help to tell the story and is great for photos of the bride and groom getting ready. Of course with a second shooter there is an additional cost, speak to your photographer, they will have other professionals they can call upon that will be able to help and that they can rely upon.

What is an ‘Unplugged Wedding’?

A wedding without phones, cameras, and iPads—essentially, a wedding without technology for you and your guests.

Why? In today’s world, everyone has a smartphone and can instantly take photos and upload them to social networks. However, you’ve hired a professional wedding photographer to capture the day with expert care. There’s no need for friends to take photos; you’ve invited them to be present at your wedding because you want their company, not because you want them to photograph you walking down the aisle and upload it to Facebook before you’ve even tied the knot.

For more information on this check out our article Why You Should Consider Having an ‘Unplugged Wedding’. Here we discuss the reasons for going unplugged and why you should consider it too.

When should my wedding photographs arrive?

When will you get your wedding photos? This depends on your photographer, who should provide you with a rough timescale when you book them. Generally, you can expect to receive your photos 2-8 weeks after the wedding.

After capturing your wedding, your photographer will go away to edit the photos. They might take hundreds or even thousands of shots, which will need to be edited down by removing any test shots and photos that didn’t work out. The remaining photos will be edited and cropped as needed.

Once the editing is complete, your photographer will package the photos for you, print any that are included in your package, and get them to you. If you’re eager to see some photos sooner, your photographer might be able to provide you with a few highlights in the meantime.

Read our full article on this ‘How long does it take to get your Wedding Photos back?‘.

Should I provide food for my wedding photographer?

Ask your photographer about their preferences regarding food. They might be working all day to ensure every moment is captured. Some photographers will bring their own food and take a brief break, while others may appreciate and enjoy a small meal provided at the venue. For more insights, read our article “Do I Need to Feed My Wedding Photographer” where photographers share their views and opinions in the comments.

Should I tip my wedding photographer?

You can choose to tip your photographer if you wish, but it’s not required. If you are really happy with your photos, let them know by sending a heartfelt thank you card and leaving a glowing testimonial. While tipping isn’t expected, your recommendation and a wonderful testimonial will mean a lot more to the photographer. Tell your engaged friends about them and how pleased you are with their work—this kind of positive feedback and personal recommendation is incredibly valuable.

Help! My wedding photographer is not responding!

So, you’ve booked your wedding photographer and ticked it off your to-do list, but as the big day approaches, they suddenly go silent. If this happens try to give them a call. Drop them an email and leave a voice message.

If you still don’t hear back give us a call and we’ll chase them up. If they’ve disappeared we’ll organise a replacement or refund your money.

Read our full guide on how to deal with a none responding photography.

‘I hate my wedding photos’ – What should I do?

So, your wedding day is over, and after seeing your photos, you’re not shedding happy tears but rather tears of sadness, anger, and frustration. What can you do?

First, identify what you dislike about the photos. Is it the style or how they were captured? Is it how you look, the composition, the lighting, or simply that they’re not to your taste? Understanding the root of your dissatisfaction—whether it’s personal preference or actual quality issues—can help in addressing the problem.

Once the wedding is over and the photos are taken, your options for changing them are limited. With the industry being unregulated, there’s not much you can do if the photos are of poor quality or not up to the standard shown on the photographer’s website. However, you should still inform your photographer of your dissatisfaction and see if they are willing to offer any compensation, such as a partial or full refund.

Since you can’t go back in time to capture your wedding day again, you might consider a ‘reshoot’. This would involve recreating beautiful shots of you and your partner in your wedding attire, with perhaps some guests joining in for fun and natural shots.

Advice from the Professionals

There are many factors to consider when choosing a wedding photographer, but there’s no better advice than from the photographers themselves! Here, we have some top tips and guidance from five of our listed photographers.

“Everyone has a budget, I understand that, but never cut back on your photographer. You may have a friend that can take a great photograph but can your friend really be that consistent all day, know the routine and what to expect. What happens when it rains, or if it’s really dark? Can they handle a whole group of people to get the formals? Maybe, maybe not, are you ready to take the risk with your wedding photographs?

It’s like buying a house, you look around and you find the style you like. Then you’ll maybe go and see 3 or 4 and one of those will just feel right. Go with you heart, if it feels right it usually is. Just check their portfolio and album samples to see how they deliver the whole package. Be clear with what you are asking for and be sure your photographer understands your requirements.”
Braintree based photographer Dave Allen of Just Hitched

“Don’t view wedding photography as a generic one size fits all affair; in much the same way as eating out calls into play decisions over personal taste, there’s great breadth and depth in the range of styles of photography on offer and you’re going to be eating from that same dish for a great many years to come. I also believe that if you like the way a particular photographer sees the world through his or her image making work, there’s a good chance that you’ll like having him or her around for much of one of the most important days of your life. There’s potential for a meeting of minds, one might say. Like the work, like the person, most likely the client-artist relationship will work out well.”
Bournemouth based photographer Phillip Allen

“Choose someone whose work you love. Your wedding photographs will be with you forever. It’s a bit of a cliche, but it’s true – the photographs are the one thing left after your wedding. They will be there to remind you of one of the most important days in your life. I’d also recommend finding someone personable who is going to treat you well and put your interests first. As much as I love wedding photography I’m aware that it is their wedding, not my photo shoot.”
Bristol based photographer Albert Palmer

“Meet more than one. You should make sure you are really going to get on with your photographer on the day. Look at a printed portfolio. It’s very hard to judge the actual quality of images from just viewing websites. Ask to see a whole wedding. Anyone can capture a few good moments during a whole wedding day, but to have a consistent level of quality and skill displayed throughout 10-12 hours of work is the difficult part. There’re lots of checklists out there that you can use but I think the important thing is to find someone who you’re at ease with.”
Bristol based photographer Sam Gibson

Got an unanswered question or query? Then leave a comment below and we shall respond and also include in into our guide. 

This guide shall be continually updated to keep it up-to-date and to ensure it answer all your questions.