Wedding photographer: style, prices and questions to ask before booking

At a wedding, almost everything is consumed: the meal is eaten, the music is heard, the decorations are taken down. The photos stay. That is why the choice of photographer matters more than the price suggests: a disappointing dinner is forgotten, a disappointing set of photos cannot be redone.

The trap is that you choose a photographer based on what they show, not on what they do. Here is how to bridge the two.

Style: three broad families

A photographer has a way of seeing, called their style. The words vary from site to site, but you almost always find three approaches.

Most photographers blend all three, with one dominant. Spot it: it tells you how they will work on the day.

Reading a portfolio without being fooled

A portfolio is a shop window: the best of everything the photographer has done. It tells you what they are capable of, not what they deliver at every wedding.

• Ask for one or two complete weddings, start to finish: getting ready, ceremony, drinks, dinner, party. It is the only way to see how they cope with moments that have no good light or decor.
• Look for consistency: are the colours, contrast and light stable from one wedding to the next?
• Look for situations like yours: a dark indoor venue, harsh sun, a hundred guests, a toddler running everywhere.
• Check the group photos: are they sharp, well framed, with nobody cut off?
• Read reviews, but not just the scores: a comment describing someone who put people at ease, arrived on time and delivered on schedule is worth more than a row of stars.

The first meeting: what to watch for

Meet the photographer, in person or on video, before signing. It is not a formality: you will spend a whole day with them during some of the most intimate moments of your life, and the chemistry matters as much as the portfolio.

1. Listen to them talk about their weddingsA good photographer asks about you, your story, the atmosphere you want. If they only sell you a package, that is a warning sign.
2. Ask how the day will runHow do they work during the ceremony, the drinks, the dinner? Can they make themselves invisible?
3. Talk about the venueHave they worked there before? If not, will they scout it beforehand?
4. Ask who will be there on the dayWill it be them, an associate, a second shooter? You are signing with one person: make sure it is that person who shows up.
5. Trust the feelingPicture them with your grandmother, your friends, your children. The best portfolio in the world does not make up for a photographer who makes you uncomfortable.

Packages and prices

Wedding photographer prices vary widely with region, experience, demand and duration. The ranges below are orders of magnitude, not a rate card: always ask for a detailed quote.

What moves the price

• The hours of coverage, far more than the number of photos.
• Distance: travel and accommodation are often billed on top.
• Reputation and availability: a peak-season Saturday costs more.
• Editing and delivery time: a heavily crafted style takes hours at the screen.
• Extras: album, prints, USB stick, video or a second photographer.

A very low price can be perfectly fine, as long as it has an explanation: a beginner, short coverage, light editing. Ask what is included before comparing two prices.

What to check in the contract

A quote commits nobody. A contract commits both sides, and it is what protects you the day something does not go as planned.

• The date, the hours of coverage (from what time to what time) and the exact location.
• The indicative number of photos and the delivery format (high resolution, online gallery, how long it stays available).
• The delivery deadline, with a clear date or range.
• The deposit, the payment schedule, and what happens on cancellation or postponement.
• The replacement in case of illness or emergency: a serious photographer arranges a colleague as backup.
• The rights: free private use, and what is allowed or not for publication.
• The backup: how many memory cards, and where the photos are stored after the wedding.
• Meals: some photographers ask to be fed during the day. Include them in your headcount.

The day itself: a schedule that leaves room for good photos

A good photographer does better with a well-paced day. A few adjustments to your schedule improve the result a lot, at no cost.

1. Getting ready (about an hour)Plan a bright, tidy room, and keep the dresses and suits within reach. Gather the details (rings, bouquet, shoes) in advance.
2. A first look, if you want oneSeeing each other before the ceremony, alone, without an audience, often gives the most natural images and frees time afterwards.
3. The ceremonyThe photographer positions without getting in the way. Ask guests to put their phones away during the vows: otherwise all you see are raised arms.
4. Group photos (twenty to thirty minutes)Draw up a list of six to eight groups, no more, and appoint a relative to round people up. Do them during the drinks, before guests wander off.
5. The couple portraitTwenty to thirty minutes, ideally late in the day when the light is soft. These are often the photos you frame.
6. Dinner and partyThe photographer covers the speeches, the first dance and the dance floor opening. Tell them about any planned surprises so they are in the right place.

After the wedding: delivery and sharing

You will usually get a link to an online gallery, with the option to download the photos in high resolution. Download them all as soon as you receive them and keep them in two places: a hard drive and online storage. A gallery is often only available for a limited time.

Think about your guests’ photos too: they take hundreds on their phones, and these are often the most spontaneous. A wedding page for guests can carry a link or QR code to share them, so everything ends up in one place after the party.