Finding a good wedding photographer

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There really are an unbelievable number of wedding photographers out there vying for your business and as your photos will help give you a lasting memory of the day you really do want to make sure you make the right choice.  The quality of service and product can vary massively (trust me, having helped lots of brides On the Day I've come across the good, the bad and the ugly!!) so here are some tips for finding a good photographer:

• Make sure you see lots of examples of a photographers work - don't just rely on examples on a website as these will naturally be their best shots. Ask to see a whole wedding so you can get a feel for the full range of photographs you will get. Also ask to see some albums if the package you are looking at has an album included.
• Ensure that the style of the photography is right for you and fits the style of wedding you want.  If you are looking for lots of relaxed informal shots of you and your guests throughout the day then a reportage style photographer will be best for you.  However, if you would like lots of formal groups shots then look for a more traditional photographer.  Also think about the overall style of your day - if you are looking for a romantic feel then a photographer with a more edgy urban feel won't be right for you. 
• You can't beat recommendation from friends and family - particularly if you've been to the wedding and seen how the photographer works. However, if you don't have that option you can always ask potential photographers if you can talk to any previous customers to find out how they found the service and the photos.
• Ensures you get on well with the photographer.  It's really important that not only do you like their photography but that they make you feel relaxed and you have a rapport with them.  You will be spending a lot of time with them on the day and they won't get the best shots out of you if you are feeling irritated, bullied or patronised!!
• Ensure you know who is shooting your big day.  If you are working with a larger photographer they may employ several photographers so ensure that you have met and get on with whoever is shooting your day and you have seen specific photography that they have done.
• It is important that you get a contract and you are comfortable with exactly what is covered in the costs and are clear on when you need to make payments.  In particular it's important to know how much ongoing costs are going to be for things such as reprints for you and your family, extra pages in your album, parent albums, and canvases  - you don't want any nasty surprises after your wedding.

This is a really important decision and should be one of the first you make after you've booked your venue.  Good photographers can be booked up well over a year in advance so you don't want to leave it to the last minute.  With the cost of photography ranging from about £500 to over £2000 it can be a difficult decision to make - especially if you are on a tight wedding budget. If you really don't know where to start or are worried about finding the right photographer then why not consider getting some professional help?  My Supplier Search service starts from just £50 so it doesn't have to cost a fortune to get some help making such an important decision.