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At a glance

Tips for picking the perfect photographer

• Compare packages and quality of work
• Choose someone you connect well with
• Make sure your photographer is organised and has a plan
• Make a scrapbook of shots to ensure your vision is clearly understood
• Double check the contract!

Article Tags:  Wedding Photographs, Wedding Photography, Wedding Advice

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Choosing the right photographer

Jodie McLeod

09 September 2011

From the pages of CWS 32

Your photographer will be responsible for how your wedding is remembered in years to come, so it’s important to make the right decision. Katherine Azzopardi from Citigraphica offers her advice on finding the best photographer

A good portfolio, reasonable prices and an eye for composition is about all the evidence you need to determine a good wedding photographer, right? Well, not exactly. Choosing the right wedding photographer to suit your needs is a delicate business that could cost you — not only in money, but also in memories — if you make the wrong choice.

Katherine Azzopardi from wedding photography and planning company Citigraphica says wedding photographers need to do so much more than take great photos.

“Couples spend a great deal of their wedding day with their photographer, so it’s important that you and your family feel comfortable around them — not only to make the day more enjoyable for everyone, but to ensure you are at ease and looking natural in your photos,” she says. “It’s like a director shooting a movie — it’s much more than just the photography. It’s a personal process. You want someone you can trust and connect with, and who can take photos that represent your family the way you want — not just someone who takes artistic photos.”

Katherine says a good photographer will organise in advance which shots and locations the couple want to visit, and arrange a schedule to get the most out of the daylight hours available.

“It’s important for the photographer to keep to a plan and visit key photo locations requested by the bride and groom so that you don’t miss those essential shots,” says Katherine.

A potential challenge for photographers at modern-day weddings is working alongside videographers. While having your wedding filmed is a great way to capture those wedding memories in motion, it can sometimes mean reduced time with your photographer.

“Sometimes couples get swept up in the moment and the videographer will whisk them away, resulting in the photographer missing those key shots,” says Katherine. “If the couple is having a videographer, I need to know who they are and plan ahead to work beside them. Before the wedding I will organise when I can have ‘alone time’ with the couple and which places we can all visit together.”

Step-by-step process for choosing the right photographer

• Decide on the date of the wedding and book a reception venue. Plan the times of the ceremony and reception.
• Make an appointment to see at least three photographers.
• View their work and discuss the look you intend to have on the day. Is this something they can do?
• Compare packages and the quality of work.
• Once you make a selection, enquire about the deposit and discuss who the photographer will be on the day and also the shots you would like them to take.
• Have a scrapbook of shots you like to show the photographer. This makes your vision of the day clearer and imaginable.
• Set the times, date and location you would like the photographer to arrive at — your house, ceremony and reception location.
• Check if the package includes any extras or night shots, depending on your time period. Ask if there are any other fees involved other than the cost of the package.
• Book a pre-wedding shoot date for a photo to display at the entrance to the reception venue.
• Check the contract reflects what you have discussed. Make sure the contract includes each date and time arrangement, and if you are doing park or beach shots — an agreed location.