Have you or any of your friends/family recently got engaged and are ...

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The chemistry has to be right. Check how many weddings the ... Does the photographer have a wet weather plan? As we all
Have you or any of your friends/family recently got engaged and are starting to plan your wedding day? We have been running our Kent based, wedding photography business since 2008; we thought we would put together a few tips on how to choose the right wedding photographer for you. Choosing a photographer to cover your special day may seem a simple task, but time should be taken to decide on what you really want. This can mean the difference between having a set of mediocre photographs gathering dust or set of photographs accurately reflect your big day and can be treasured forever. Here are a few tips and pointers to help you choose wisely. Decide on the style of photography that's suits you? There are a variety of different photographic styles on offer: Traditional - this includes groups of family & friends, signing the register and the cutting of the cake etc. in staged poses. Reportage – records and tells the story of your big day in a more relaxed way, capturing candid shots covering the real events of your wedding rather than staging everything. Contemporary – captures the important poses/moments during the day with a modern twist You can usually have a mixture of styles to suit your preferences. Most bride and grooms opt for a mix of all 3 but ensure you discuss with your photographer beforehand what type of style of photography he provides. Arrange to see several photographers before you make your choice? When looking for a photographer, arrange an appointment to see them to assess their work. Ask them if their display albums show complete weddings; this way you can check if the quality of their photography is consistent throughout the day. It is important that you have a good rapport with your photographer(s) they are the only supplier that could be with you the whole of you wedding day so it is important you feel at ease with them or it will show in your photographs. Do the staged photographs show the wedding party having a good time and at looking relaxed & natural; if so the photographer has put his clients at ease? When visiting a photographer, make sure the samples and albums you are shown are actually taken by the photographer who will be covering your wedding? This may seem an obvious point, but some companies have a few photographers on their books or may even use freelance photographers. The chemistry has to be right. Check how many weddings the photographer will cover on your required date It is preferable to choose a photographer who covers only one wedding a day this ensures that all his effort and attention will be with you and not on looking at his watch.

Are the studio / photographer full insured? Check to see that the photographer has professional indemnity insurance (this offers protection in unfortunate event that the photographer is negligent) and public liability insurance (offers cover if someone is accidentally injured by the photographer whilst carrying out his business service.) Does the photographer carry back up camera and lighting equipment in the event of an emergency? It is always advisable to carry at a backup camera at every wedding in the event of mechanical failure or an emergency. Does the photographer have a wet weather plan? As we all know the weather in the UK is unpredictable at the best of times and sometimes even a summer wedding may fall prey to the inclement weather. Whilst your photographer cannot change the weather a professional one will have a backup plan should the weather gods not play fair on your wedding day. Ensure you are clear what your chosen package does and doesn’t include When you begin looking for your wedding photographer you will soon realise that there are hundreds to choose from with a wide array of different packages and services. Think about what is important for you and make sure you are clear exactly what is included in your chosen package. Does the photographer include all images taken in the package or do you have to pay extra to the digital images. Who owns the copyright? Most photographers retain the copyright on their images, but some give rights to copy, print and share the images supplied to you. How much should I invest in my photography? Work to your budget. As a general rule, the more the photography costs you, the higher the quality and the skill level of the photographer. You can find photographers offering wedding day coverage for under £300 – but the old adage “you get what you pay for” should be borne in mind. You should pay as much as your budget allows, but bear in mind once all the cake is eaten and the honeymoon is over your wedding photographs will be the only record of your day to treasure forever. It is therefore important to engage a photographer who will record your wedding with the versatility and skills required to produce an excellent set of artistic wedding photographs. When should I book my photographer? As soon as you have your wedding date and reception confirmed. The most sort after photographers take bookings 12 to 24 months in advance of a wedding date and will cover only one wedding a day, so to avoid disappointment start looking as soon as you can. Nicola runs Bay Images Photography with her husband Stuart; they cover all Kent wedding venues and would be happy to discuss your wedding photography requirements with you. www.bayimages.co.uk T. 07881 588802 ©Bayimages2015