Investing In Your Wedding Photography

As a professional wedding photographer in Kent I have provided the following information to help and guide you and to give you an idea of what you are paying for when you book your wedding photographer and what to look out for in choosing the right one for you.

As a couple planning your wedding you have probably allocated a budget for your photography and researched various photographers websites to view their work and view their prices. You will have found some who list their prices and some who do not. My first piece of advice would be to not be put off by those who who haven’t listed their prices, it may not be that they’re necessarily more expensive than average, just that they’d rather you made the first step in contacting them. If you love their style of work always enquire, their prices may not be set in stone either!

So you’ve shortlisted a few photographers whose work you really like and seen their prices. What if they are out of your budget? Obviously if they’re so out of your price range there’s no point in arranging a meeting as it would be a waste of your and their time but if the difference in what your budget is and what they are asking is not so great and you really would love to hire them perhaps you could consider makings savings elsewhere?

HOW DO PHOTOGRAPHERS SET THEIR PRICES?

So why do some photographers charge £300 and some £3000? The number one reason is experience and expertise in the art of photography. Somebody who has done hundreds of weddings in different weather conditions and types of venues will be worth paying more for than somebody who has only done a hand full of weddings.

That said it would be a mistake to base your decision on choosing your wedding photographer just on price. If it’s possible I would always advise meeting the photographer/s you are considering hiring as you will be able to see hard copies of their work but also see what they are like as a person. You can never have a second chance at a first impression and how you feel about the photographer when you met them, even if its just speaking on the phone, will also influence your decision as they will be with you all day so you want to feel comfortable with them.

WHAT ARE A PHOTOGRAPHER’S COSTS?

A question you should ask if it’s not volunteered by the photographer is if they have public liability and professional indemnity insurance, a responsible wedding photographer will always have this.

Photographers who pride themselves in the quality of their work continue to invest in themselves whatever their standard and level of ability. Those striving to improve will attend workshops, forever improving their skills.

Equipment is not what makes great photos but good quality camera bodies and lenses will make a substantial difference to image quality, particularly in low light situations that are often found in wedding venues and during the winter months.

The software required for editing the raw images is expensive and the process time consuming, this post production is necessary to produce the best results for you the customer and an experienced photographer will know how to edit their work to a professional standard.

To summarise, what you pay me as a photographer to attend and document your wedding is not just money for that one day, it is years of investment into myself and my business to provide you, the client with the best possible service and results which you will look back on for years to come.