Capturing your wedding day on film for memories you can cherish forever is an important decision, and choosing the right wedding photographer shouldn’t be underestimated in relation to the day’s importance.
When it comes to how your wedding day is captured and preserved for future memories, there’s no going back. The photographs you choose to take on your special day will be a permanent record, and making the wrong decision regarding the photographer you use can have lasting implications and tarnish your memories of the day itself.
Choosing your wedding photographer is a decision that should not be taken lightly. It is a choice that will help you ensure you get the exact pictures you need to treasure your wedding day for many years to come. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some wedding photography mistakes you want to avoid.
Not Appreciating the Importance of Wedding Photography
You might wonder why it’s all that important anyway. There are many reasons why you should opt for a professional wedding photographer over handing out disposable cameras to guests. You want people who know exactly how to get the best locations and people in the shots and can work with large groups to ensure they capture the true essence of the day.
Plus, depending on the type of shots you want and how your chosen photographer captures them, you will see the day from different viewpoints and things you might not otherwise have noticed. Plus, you are likely spending a lot of money on your wedding day, so you want to commemorate it properly, and expert wedding photography can do just that.
Not Checking Photography Styles
Not checking the style of images your chosen photographer takes or what they produce can be a massive mistake, you need to understand the types of shots that will be captured so you can confirm that they meet your expectations. The last thing you want is to think that you are getting a certain style of the image only to get something widely different. So, while you should never ask a photographer to replicate others’ styles and work, you can ask them for examples of their work and results from previous weddings to get an idea of what they do and how they work.
Booking Ceremony Only
While the ceremony is indeed an important part of the day to capture, so is the rest of the day. Your reception and the rest of your wedding day post-ceremony can create many wonderful memories or snapshots that you want to capture and treasure. Opting only to have your photographer present for the ceremony can mean that you miss out on these moments. No matter how much you ask guests to take photos for you, you might not get what you want, or people might not be in the right place at the right time. But a photographer will be, ensuring you don’t miss any precious memories.
Not Checking What is Included
Lastly, not asking what you are getting for your money is a massive mistake that you absolutely need to avoid. Talk through the different price points to see what options you have and what you will get. You should get multiple quotes so you can compare the pricing and benefits from each photographer on your shortlist. But neglecting to understand what you will be provided with post-wedding can lead to disappointment or missing moments you could have otherwise arranged for if you knew they would be included. However, expert wedding photographers will understand this and be open to discussing your needs and sharing what your fee involves.