How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer: The 3 Key Factors to Consider

Planning a wedding is exciting, but choosing the right photographer can feel overwhelming. With so many options out there, it’s hard to know who will capture your big day perfectly. While there are plenty of factors you might consider - like familiarity with your venue or the types of packages offered - three stand out as the most important:

Style – The overall look and feel of the photos.

Approach – How the photographer works on your wedding day.

Cost – Making sure their services fit your budget.

As someone who specialises in unobtrusive, documentary-style wedding photography, I believe in being open and transparent about these considerations. This helps my clients decide if I’m the right fit for their needs.

In this blog post, I’ll focus on style, a critical element when choosing your wedding photographer. Let’s dive in!

What is “photographic style”?

A photographer’s style refers to the overall aesthetic and feel of their final images. This could range from light and airy to dark and moody, vibrant and colourful, or even film-like and nostalgic.

When you begin searching for photographers, their style will likely be the first thing to catch your eye as you scroll through portfolios. Think of it as their artistic signature - it’s what makes their work unique.

Why is “style” so important?

Your wedding photos will stay with you forever, so it is crucial to find a photographer whose style you love. Here are two key points to keep in mind:

Match the Style You Love

If you adore vibrant, natural photos, choose a photographer who specialises in that look. Similarly, if you want soft, dreamy images, look for a photographer who consistently delivers this style. Avoid hiring someone with a completely different aesthetic and expecting them to adapt - you might end up disappointed.

Consistency is Key

A photographer’s portfolio should give you confidence that they’ll deliver exactly what you expect. If their images show a variety of vastly different styles, it could indicate inconsistency, making it hard to know what you’ll get in your final gallery.

How I describe my photographic style

My style is natural, vibrant, joyful, and timeless. I aim to create authentic, true-to-life images whilst also giving them a subtle pop of colour..

I prioritise clean, well-composed photos that are always in focus - this ensures that my photos remain classic and will hopefully stand the test of time.

I should also say that I love a black and white photo! I feel this works particularly well for classic, timeless images and I can’t resist creating some high contrast images in this style. Ultimately, around 5-10% of images in the galleries I deliver are black and white images.

How to Find a Style You Love

Not sure what style is right for you? Here’s how to narrow it down:

Browse Portfolios: Look at a variety of photographers’ work and take note of the styles you’re drawn to.

Eliminate What You Don’t Like: If certain styles - like overly posed or heavily edited photos - don’t resonate with you, cross those photographers off your list.

Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about a photographer’s style or editing process, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.

Your wedding photos should reflect the essence of your day and your personality as a couple. Finding a photographer whose style aligns with your vision is the first step toward creating images you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Next Up: The Photographer’s Approach

In my next blog post, I’ll dive into the second key factor: approach - how a photographer works on your wedding day and why it’s just as important as style.

If you have any questions about finding the right photographic style for your wedding, feel free to reach out. I’d love to help you create happy, lasting memories of your special day.