The booking process: how to hire a wedding photographer
You’re getting married or civil partnered, what next? It’s really important that you feel supported throughout the booking process, and that you know what your next steps are. Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about ethical working practices, and how for couples who are hiring wedding suppliers there isn’t an awful lot of information available on how to go about this ethically. There is lots of advice out there on how to protect yourself as a consumer, but I’m sure you’re keen to ensure your suppliers are looked after too. I’ve put together some of my thoughts on this and included them in the guide below.
When to book a wedding photographer
As soon as possible after setting the date. Prime dates tend to book up quickly, and it’s always such a shame to have to tell couples we aren’t available. The wedding venue, or venues, is naturally the first thing most people choose. Once you have this in place, it’s a good idea to start browsing for a photographer. Your venue might have a list of recommended suppliers who are local to the venue or have covered weddings there before. It isn’t essential for a photographer to have already covered a wedding at your chosen venue, since the way your photos look will depend on lots of other factors, such as the available light on the day. Be aware that some venues ask suppliers to pay a fee to join their ‘recommended’ list. This is a deemed an unethical practice in the wedding industry.
First things first
Enjoy the process of browsing through different styles, especially if photography is something which feels unfamiliar to you. Just as you’ll be advised to try on a range of different pieces when you’re looking for your wedding outfit, it’s a good idea to ‘try on’ a few different styles to find what feels right to you. This step will also allow you to get a sense of current pricing in the industry, which will help you decide how much of your budget you would like to allocate to photography.
Making contact
Reach out to your potential photographer through their preferred means of contact. Personally, an email sent through my booking form allows me to have all the details to hand when I send a response. It’s helpful to include as much detail as you can at this stage, to give your potential photographer an insight into who you are and what matters to you. We love to hear all about you as a couple and your plans for the day. If you have any burning questions that need clarifying, feel free to include these, but mostly your enquiry is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourselves. At this stage, I think it’s important to have narrowed down your selection of photographers to a small number that you feel almost certain you’d be happy to work with, depending on how well you get on during your consultation. This means you’re respecting your own time and theirs during the consultation stage.
The consultation
You might want to ignore articles you find online that offer pre-made ‘what to ask your wedding photographer’ Q&A’s. These generic questions tend to focus on issues like copyright and contract t&c’s, which your photographer is likely to talk you through anyway, and don’t offer space to connect on a more individual level. It isn’t, exactly, a job interview, but more of a meeting of minds. You should feel you can trust your photographer’s level of experience based on the images and testimonials you’ve already seen, so you shouldn’t need to grill them, but of course be ready to ask questions. You’re instigating a creative collaboration, and the most important thing is to get to know one another to see if working together will be a harmonious experience for both sides. Think of it as a first date; who is this person, what makes them laugh, what experiences do we share?
Booking a wedding photographer: what happens next?
If you decide to book me for your wedding or civil partnership I’ll send you a contract to sign which books me in to cover your day. If you have any questions at this stage I'll be more than happy to answer them. I'll then send you out a welcome pack; a gesture of our gratitude and a physical copy of the information shared below. We can then keep in touch as much or as little as you prefer over the weeks, months or years leading up to your wedding. If you'd like to send updates or want to run things through you can get in touch over email or WhatsApp. I’m also here to answer any general wedding-related questions you might have, for example if you need help finding other inclusive suppliers or are unsure of your wedding-day timeline. Essentially, don’t be a stranger. If you've booked or are thinking about booking a pre-shoot, then Autumn or Spring is usually the best time for this.
One month to go: I'll ideally have your info sheet filled in with any key details one month ahead of the wedding or civil partnership date. You can use this to let me know your timings, any key information on VIP guests, and anything else you think might be important. Your balance is due one month before the wedding; you'll receive a reminder from me a few days beforehand.
Ten days to go: This is a great time to book in a quick call on the phone to run through any last minute details, especially if there have been any changes since we last spoke. The week before your wedding or civil partnership should be a chance for you to relax and look forward to the day, so this call is really just an opportunity to check in, voice any last-minute worries, and share your excitement.
On the day: I’ll text you or your on-the-day contact to let you know I’m on the way.
Head here for more information on how to book and to get in touch