I decided to share my “10 points to consider before choosing your wedding photographer” to explain the things you need to look for before you book a photographer.

Unlike flowers, catering, table decorations, and dress, photographs can’t be seen, smelled, tasted, or touched in advance. You will only be able to see the wedding photos after the wedding and when everything is long over.

In order to avoid any unpleasant surprises here are my 10 points:

10 POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

1- Do your homework: the first step in your journey to find your wedding photographer is to have an idea of the photography style you want for your wedding. Go to Pinterest, create a board, and pin all your favourite wedding photographs that you will find there. Once you realise the photography style that you like, it will be clearer which photographers to research and contact.

2- Recommendations: Personal recommendations and word of mouth are a great starting point. You can ask your friends, who are already married, about their photographers, their experiences, and if they recommend them.

3- Search online: if no recommendation available, search for photographers online. Make a list of the ones you like their work for further research and eventually contacting them.

4- Skills: This point covers the photographers’ ability to create high quality images, consistent style, creativity, posing variations, and post editing skills. Go to the photographers’ websites and social media profiles to check their work.

5- Compatibility: It is very important to meet with the photographers in person or at least Skype with them before deciding on one. Talk to them, ask them questions you prepared in advance, see how their personalities are, do you feel positive about them? Do you understand each other? Do you have similar vision about the wedding photos? If you don’t like their personality or don’t feel comfortable then don’t book them even if they offer you a free full day coverage. Remember that the photographer will be the person that you will be in contact with the most before, during, and after your wedding.

6- Equipment: Ask the photographers what equipment they use? Do they have equipment for low light conditions? Are they using flash or natural light? Is there a back up plan if things go wrong? Do they have back up cameras and memory cards? Is there a second photographer?

7- Products: What packages are they offering you?  Do they offer albums, canvas, DVD, prints? Are they going to edit the photos or just put them on USB and hand them to you? Will they print the images during the evening and hand them to guests?

8- Delivery time: We are talking here about the time it takes the photographer to edit and deliver the photos to you. I have friends who have been married for months even for years and haven’t received their photos yet!! So make sure your photographer delivers your photos before you deliver your first baby!