Choosing the right wedding photographer for your big day is crucial if you value photography and photography is a priority for you both on the wedding day. Wedding photography has never been more competitive than it is now.
When I started work in the photographic industry in the late 80s I worked in a black and white darkroom and printed for some of the biggest names in fashion and advertising photography. In the 15 years I worked there I met one, yes just one, wedding photographer. If you do a search on google or have attended a wedding fair you will have been met with a massive variety of wedding photographers and each one will have a different style, different pricing and different amount of experience as a wedding photographer.
So how do you sift through the vast amount of photographers out there and find that one photographer that is perfect for you? The one that understands your vision and that you make an immediate connection with both professionally and personally. That photographer that you know you can trust implicitly to deliver what they promise and provide you with the high quality and beautiful photography that you expect from your wedding and importantly will gel with both yourselves and your friends and family on the day.
So here are what I think are some of the most important questions you can ask to discover if the photographer you have in mind is the one for you.
What is your style of photography?
No two photographers will shoot the same subject in the same way. Every photographer has a unique way of seeing their subject and when it comes to wedding photography styles there are a lot to choose from and you need to decide what it is that connects you to the photographers work.
Some shoot in a traditional style and focus on group and family photos, some photographers shoot in a more contemporary style and bring in elements of fashion and editorial photography, some are more documentary and reportage and shoot in a natural style capturing moments as they happen. You should also look at the way a photographer edits their work, is it light and airy or is it more dark, atmospheric and moody.
What style resonates with you and what will fit in with the style of your wedding? Take your time when looking through portfolios, is there a theme that runs through all a photographers work, do they have a distinct style that you can connect to and can you see yourself in these type of images?
As far as my style goes I would describe my photography as a more natural reportage and documentary style of photography with elements of fashion and editorial photography. I do like to have a bit of a dramatic and atmospheric feel to my photos just like these beautiful images below.
I hate posing. Do I have to pose for the photos?
Again this is a great question and this fits in with a photographers style of shooting. Most of the time you will not even know that I am shooting as my style is very natural. I am looking for the moments between people that I know make for great photography and this is what is meant by documentary photography. I will however, offer direction to you when I am shooting portraits. As a professional photographer I understand light and I understand composition, I know how to direct my subject so that lighting is perfect and you will be shot in the most flattering way possible. So no posing at all, just a bit of gentle direction.
Can I see an entire wedding?
Every wedding photographer, myself included, will showcase the "hero" shots on their website and wedding fair portfolios. This is of course completely normal. I want to stop people in their tracks with beautiful, creative and imaginative photography so obviously these are the images I want to be known for.
I would of course be lying if I was to say that every image from every wedding will be a "hero" shot. It is important to see how a photographer will shoot the entire day. Your wedding day photography will consist of details, portraits, family shots, the confetti shot, speeches, cake cutting, first dance, evening entertainment.
Ask to see an entire gallery so you can see the full wedding from bridal preparation up to evening fun. I send my clients a private gallery online and I am always happy to share these with potential new clients. If you would like to see on just ask, Ill pop a couple over to you.
Coverage & Package.
What is included in a full day photography? Is a full day just that or does your photographer make for the exit before the forst dance has finished? Are you having a fun packed evening with say a Ceilidh band or are you having fireworks or a sparkler display? Will your photographer stay for all of this or will there be extra charges involved for late finishes?
My full day package is just that, a full day. So I start when you need me and I finish when the job is done so if you are having fireworks at10pm no problem I'll be there for them - no extra charge.
Editing and Delivery.
How long until we receive our photos? Will they be edited? Do we have full rights to print? How many photos will we receive?
I pride myself with a quick turnaround and I like to get the photos into the gallery within 2 weeks of the wedding day. Obviously busy times can be a bit longer, but I'll keep you updated. Your USB with the files will be with you no more than 2 weeks after the gallery is ready. You will have full license to print and they are all high resolution. As far as editing goes the only things I like to do is maybe brighten up some images if needed or bring down some highlights. Th eonly editing I really like to do is change some images into beautiful black and white,, I do love black and white photography. If you really do need some emergency retouching then thats fine, I once had a bride who had a tattoo that she hated and wanted this removed from her photos, bit of a pain yes but but no problem really. As far as how many images from a full day at least 400-550, so plenty to choose from.
Back up plan?
What happens if you cannot make it on the day? This is a great question and one I get asked all the time. I have a network of fantastic local photographers that I can call upon if needed so if something disastrous was to happen I know I can get a replacement photographer for you. I have never had to use this and I have never been asked to cover for anyone yet, but its a great insurance policy to have as accidents can and do happen.
This came about from when we were emerging from Covid lockdowns and self isolation and social distancing was still a thing. Fortunately when I had Covid it did not happen when I had weddings on but I do know a few photographers that had to self isolate when they had weddings booked in, very annoying thats for sure.
Can you provide us with references, or share testimonials from previous clients?
Yes I can, I have lots of lovely reviews from happy bride and grooms both on my website and on Google reviews, I am always happy to share these with you.
Have you shot at our venue before?
I am familiar with lots of amazing venues in east Midlands and I am lucky enough to have shot regularly at venues such as Stubton Hall, Kelham House, Washingborough Hall, Hemswell Court, Swancar Farm, Prestwold Hall and more besides. It is great to shoot at venues I am familiar with as I have an idea already of where looks great for your photos. Equally I do love to shoot at a new venue, its great for my portfolio to have a new venue to shoot and it keeps me being creative having to discover new places to shoot at. Last year I was lucky enough to shoot at soem amazing new venues for me such as Barton Hall and Allington Manor and this year I have already shot at the very lovely South Farm near Royston, blog post coming soon for this one. If I am shooting at a new venue I will always make sure I visit it beforehand so I can get a feel for it and get some ideas in place before I am shooting there on the day.
https://www.stubtonhall.co.uk/
https://www.washingboroughhall.com/
https://www.prestwold-hall.com/
https://www.hemswellcourt.com/
https://south-farm.co.uk/weddings/
How do you deal with bad weather?
What if it rains on our wedding day? Our wedding is December and its at 4pm can you still shoot in the dark?
Well the good old British weather, it never fails to bring its challenges. I remember last July I shot three weddings in a row that rained all day on. There is not a lot we can do about the rain itself, but if you are lucky enough to be in a large venue such as Washingborough, Stubton etc there is plenty of space indoors for group and family shots. I have plenty of lighting equipment that allows me to shoot effectively indoors if needed. Group phots can take the feel of Annie Leibowitz style Vanity Fair photos which I think always look fab.
It is very rare though to have a day that rains heavily from start to finish so it may be like my Barton Hall wedding last year with Emma & Matt. We just had to keep an eye on things and dive in and out in between the showers, bit of a pain but we managed it just fine. Or you can just embrace the weather, umbrellas do make great props and I can always work with them. However, if you can brave the elements I know how to light my bride and groom to get some really creative and beautiful images like these ones below.
As far as shooting in the is concerned, its actually one of my favourite times to shoot. I own a fantastic bit of kit which is a portable studio flash unit. This allows me to shoot in any lighting conditions and also produces beautiful images like these ones. So no daylight - no problem.
Do we have to feed you?
No you do not it is not a part of my contract, but it is always massively appreciated when the offer is there. I prefer to sit alone as this is a good opportunity to review the photos I have taken. A fed photographer is a happy photographer.
How many weddings have you shot? How experienced in wedding photography are you?
This is a very important question to ask so you can gauge the level of experience your photographer has. Wedding photography is hugely competitive and it seems that there are new wedding photographers popping up all the time. I applaud anyone that wants to make a living from wedding photography, but it is not a job to be taken lightly and certainly not a career that can be forged overnight. Would you be comfortable with a wedding photographer that has only shot 5 or 6 weddings. Would you put your faith in a wedding photographer that has only been shooting for 6 months?. I have been shooting weddings for over 15 years and worked professionally in the photographic industry since 1988. Yes it really is that long and yes I know I do not look old enough.
So once you have the answers to these questions you should have a good feel for the type of photographer you will have on your wedding day.
If you think that I am a good fit for your wedding then I cannot wait to hear from you. Take a good look around my portfolio and if you want to get a zoom booked in drop me an email, cant wait to hear from you.
https://www.masseyphotography.co.uk/lincoln-wedding-portfolio/
https://www.masseyphotography.co.uk/contact-us/