Your wedding photographs will become some of your most treasured keepsakes, so choosing the right photographer is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during the planning process. From finding a style you love to understanding what’s included in a package, knowing what to look for can make all the difference. We asked experienced wedding photographers to share their top advice on choosing the perfect professional to capture your day with confidence.
Featured image above: Stefano Ferrier
Stefano Ferrier Photography
One of the very first questions I ask every couple isn’t about the venue, the timeline or even the dress.
It’s simply:
“How do you imagine your wedding?”
Sometimes I ask them to describe it in just three or four words.
Relaxed. Joyful. Elegant. Intimate. Fun.
Those words tell me far more than a schedule ever could.
They help me understand not only what the day will look like, but how they want it to feel.
My biggest piece of advice is to choose a photographer whose work reflects those feelings, not just beautiful images.
Anyone can show twenty stunning photographs on Instagram.
What really matters is seeing complete wedding galleries.
Can they tell the story from the quiet moments of the morning through the emotion of the ceremony, the laughter during the speeches and the energy of the dance floor?
Do the people in their photographs look comfortable, natural and genuinely themselves?
After photographing weddings across Ireland and Italy for more than fifteen years, I’ve learned that the images couples treasure most are rarely the posed ones.
They’re the unexpected moments: a father quietly holding back tears, friends laughing together, a reassuring hand before walking down the aisle, or the two of you sharing a glance when no one else is watching.
The best wedding photographs are never planned.
They happen when you stop thinking about how you should look, and simply enjoy who you are.
Visit www.stefanoferrier.com and view Stefano’s profile here.
Susan Jefferies Photography
Choosing your wedding photographer is, of course, about finding someone who captures beautiful images – but it’s about much more than that. Once you’ve a shortlist of photographers whose work makes your heart sing, here are a few things to consider before booking.
Look beyond the highlights on social media. Are they consistently producing beautiful weddings? Ask to see a few full wedding galleries so you can see how a photographer captures an entire day.
Think about the style of photography you love, while remembering that every wedding is different. An experienced photography team knows how to adapt to changing timelines, weather and lighting, helping your day run smoothly while allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment. The best wedding galleries combine authentic, unscripted moments with beautifully crafted portraits, creating a timeless collection of memories.
Also maybe consider a two-photographer team – this enables your photographers to work seamlessly together to capture different perspectives throughout the day. One of the greatest advantages of having two photographers is that your story can be told from every angle. While one photographer captures the bride and her father making their entrance into the church from above, her train flowing beautifully behind, the other photographer is focused on your partner’s emotional reaction as you walk towards them. From both of you getting ready in different locations to those once-in-a-lifetime moments unfolding simultaneously, two photographers ensure nothing is missed -allowing you to relive parts of your wedding day you simply couldn’t have witnessed yourselves.
Finally, don’t underestimate the value of experience and the service you receive. Ask about everything from pre-wedding planning to gallery delivery. Your photographs will be one of the few lasting reminders of your wedding, so choose a team whose work, experience and approach give you complete confidence that your memories are in safe hands.
Visit www.sjphotography.ie and view Susan’s profile here.
White Amber Photography
Choosing your wedding photographer is about so much more than beautiful photos. You’ll spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day than almost anyone else, so it’s important to choose someone you genuinely feel comfortable with.
Don’t just look at the highlights on Instagram. Ask to see a few full wedding galleries. A great photographer should be able to tell the whole story of the day, from the quiet morning moments to the dance floor, in every type of light and weather.
Meet or have a video call before booking. Every photographer has a different approach. Some will guide you throughout the day, while others prefer to stay in the background. Neither is right or wrong, but make sure their style matches your personality and the kind of experience you want.
I’d also recommend looking beyond trends. Editing styles come and go, but your wedding photographs will stay with you for the rest of your life. Choose images that feel timeless and natural, not something that might look dated in a few years.
Finally, trust your instincts. If you love someone’s work, feel relaxed talking to them, and can picture them being part of your wedding day, that’s usually a very good sign. The best photographs happen when couples can simply enjoy their day, forget the camera is there, and be themselves. Those genuine moments are the ones you’ll treasure the most.
Visit www.whiteamberphotography.com and view White Amber Photography’s profile here.
Bailey Lonsdale Photo & Film
We’re a little biased, but we think this is one of the most important vendor decisions you’ll make in your wedding planning process. Your photographs (and video, if you choose to have one) will be the biggest takeaway from your wedding day, after your new spouse and maybe a new surname…
The research process can be a bit overwhelming though as there are so many options and a bunch of unfamiliar terminology to sift through. Here’s a few tips might help you find the right one for you.
- Decide what you want from your coverage, and what you want to be left with at the end.
That’ll help you start narrowing things down. Do you want photos throughout the day or just for your ceremony and drinks reception? Do you want combined photo and video coverage? Do you want lots of posed photographs or would you prefer a more candid collections of images?
- Find your style.
From light and airy to dark and moody and everything in between. We all process our images slightly differently, make sure you like the feel of your photographer’s finished photos.
- Find your vibe.
We all work in slightly different ways. You’ll find words like documentary, candid, reportage, editorial, traditional, classic, elegant (the list goes on) bandied about. These are a great starting point but we’d suggest you don’t get too caught up in them. We’re all trying to communicate our offering with potential clients, but these words are a little subjective and open to interpretation. It’s also not unheard of for these words to be thrown about to help with the algorithm, so we’d suggest digging a little deeper to make sure your ideas align.
- Do your research.
It goes without saying but we can’t shout this one enough. Scour their website and get all the info. Every photographer’s offering is slightly different to the next. Before you sign anything, check that they can accommodate everything you would like. If the info isn’t online, don’t be afraid to ask.
- Ask to see a few complete galleries.
We all share our favourite images but you need to get a feel for whole collections before you make up your mind. Check for quality and consistency throughout the day. Make sure you like the look and feel of the whole gallery, not just the 50 ‘best’ images.
- Speak to them!
It’s the best way to get a more comprehensive feel for what they offer, how they might fit into your day and to get any little questions answered. It also gives you a chance to get a better feel for them as a person. You might spend more time with your photographer than any other individual on the day, and whilst you don’t have to like them enough to invite them for dinner afterwards, you do need to feel comfortable enough to relax around them. If you don’t think you’d like them in your space, this will likely show on your face in the photos.
- Go with your gut! It’s way more powerful than you think.
If you’re having trouble deciding, your instincts will rarely steer you wrong here.
- Lastly, check the obvious stuff before you sign the contract.
Are they insured (your venue might not let them in if not!). What’s their plan B if they can’t make it on the day. Do they carry spare camera equipment. What’s included and what might cost extra. What deposit do they need.
Visit www.baileylonsdale.com and view Bailey Lonsdale’s profile here.
