Choosing your wedding photographer: everything you need to know
Why choosing your photographer matters for your Sydney wedding (or: why there’s no Kath without Kim)
Ok so before we go into this – let’s address the big question:
What’s a celebrant doing writing about how to choose your wedding photographer? I mean - honestly - if I stay in my lane, why should I care?
The answer is simple - I love, love, LOVE what I do. I take enormous pride in it. Every element of your ceremony is tailored to you, uniquely.
And I know the difference of working with an awesome and on-point photographer, and someone who just doesn’t hit that mark.
Their job is way more than just taking photos – it’s about truly capturing the feeling, the moments, the vibe, everything you worked to create. Through them, your day will live forever. And remember, that’s not just you and your partner (without me third wheeling… which I promise NOT to do!). It’s about capturing everything. The vibe. The feel. The people there to celebrate you both.
In the words of the exceptional Wendy from Luminarie Photography,
“There’s nothing worse than seeing a wedding where it’s only photos of the couple on location or posey photos of getting ready and millions photos of decor. That’s not a wedding day to me. It should be about capturing the important people, the relationships that matter across the guest list – from anyone special travelling from afar to the dynamics between everyone, to make sure there’s no awkward moments! All of which means I’ll get every shot that matters!”
So if you’re thinking about booking your photographer, here’s what I’d advise:
Find your person
Do you like them? Seriously, this is a biggie and can be easy to overlook.
But what you want to know is will they make you and your partner feel comfortable? Because being the centre of attention isn’t what most people love, and having a million photos taken of you (or on average, about a thousand plus…) means you want someone behind the lens who can make you feel chilled and at ease.
To quote photography legend Russell Stafford of Russell Stafford Photography:
Pick the best photographer for you, not just the best photographer. Someone whose work you not only love, but who you enjoy being around. You can pick the greatest photographer in the world, but if they won't take into account your unique personalities and vibe, then it's unlikely that the final product will be what you felt going in. If you feel comfortable on the day, happy, relaxed, and understood, you're going to see your photos through a really positive eye when they arrive.
Then, find out more
Do they connect with your other vendors? Will they be open to chatting to your celebrant, and making sure they’re across all the elements of your wedding that they need to know in advance?
You only get one wedding day, and if grandma is going to be your flower girl (love it) or you want certain people or moments captured - then you need to know your photographer will be on point.
The best in the business don’t assume they know everything, because above all they know that every wedding is different, and they’ll want to connect with others to make sure that matter to you - will live forever.
Helen, the powerhouse from Weddings by Magnetic Shots, added this: “I love researching my couples and what’s important to them. When I work with an epic team of wedding professionals who collaborate together, it means we can share our research to create the best possible results for our couples!”
Work out your style
It goes without saying – but I’ll say it anyway! – you want to like their photography style. If you’re after candid doco pictures, don’t go for someone whose entire portfolio is traditional posed snaps.
“Truthfully, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to finding your wedding style. But we are all visual creatures. You know it when you see it. My tip is search the photography styles with the key words, then look through the photos that you feel most aligned to you” says the gorgeous Aka, from Akaness Sharks Photos.
And once you’ve done that – make sure you see the whole gallery from the weddings you like. “Anyone can take a few good photos at golden hour. The point of difference is a truly exceptional gallery in its entirety. That’s what you should research and ask to look at.”
Show Me the Money!
Or don’t… look, it’s a touchy one. Every wedding has a budget. Unless you’re Grace Kelly, there’ll always be a limit to what’s possible. So whilst you should absolutely have a budget in mind – remember that of all the investments you make, the photography element is your permanent record of the day.
As the exceptional Lauren Kennedy from Lauren Kennedy Photography shared, “After all the effort, time and money spent on your special day - your photography is what you will have left over at the end of it. Maybe there are adjustments to the package that can be made, in terms of what’s included to make it more suitable for you, but also think of the lasting memories. In 10 or 20 years, it's the photos you'll remember, not the money.”
What next?
Think of your wedding team as your personal A-team. Like Sex and the City… there’d be no show without Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. There’d have been no story without Aladdin and the Genie. No fun without Kath, Kim, and Sharon (and Kel-Doll).
Bringing in an awesome team who work seamlessly together is something that can only be to your benefit.
Want to find out more about the vendors I love, enjoy a free 30 minute consult with a seasoned wedding professional to talk through your ceremony, or just say hi?
Want to see more from the photography A-Listers? Take a peek at their captures here:
