Choosing your wedding photographer

Style and aesthetic

Every photographer has a unique style— you may have heard terms like traditional, documentary, fine art, editorial or a blend. Editing can be warm, dark and moody, light and airy, or true to life. You don’t necessarily need to understand the detail of these terms though!

Take time to look through portfolios and go with your gut as to whether you think you can see your vision through their lens.

Approach on the day

How you want your wedding day captured; do you prefer candid moments or more posed portraits? How do you want to feel on your wedding day; like a celeb on a photoshoot, or more present with your guests? It’s worth having a conversation about how long you’ll be away from your guests to take photos as this can really affect your experience of the day, your guests’ experience and the timeline of your day. The traditional ‘family formal’ pics can go quickly and smoothly with a bit of planning in advance, does your photographer have a process for this?

Experience and expertise

Experience matters, especially during once in a lifetime events in the unpredictable Scottish weather! Look for a photographer who has a solid understanding of different conditions and how to get the best out of them.

How long have they been photographing weddings? Is what you see in their portfolio examples from real weddings, or styled shoots?

Packages and pricing

What’s included in a photography package can vary widely. Things to clarify include number of hours of coverage, how many photographers will be there on the day, albums and printed products, how are digital files delivered? Find a balance that works for you between quality and budget; remember, this is an investment in your memories!

Personality and rapport

Your photographer will be with you for a big part of your wedding day, so it’s essential to feel comfortable around them.  Take time to meet them in person or over a video call to make sure it’s a personality match. Would you feel comfortable telling them you’re done with photos for the day, or that you’d like to go out and do more photos? A photographer who understands you will be able to capture your day authentically.

Reviews and recommendations

Look for testimonials from previous clients. Websites, social media, and wedding forums can provide insights into a photographer’s reliability and professionalism. 

You can ask to see a full wedding gallery for a package you’re considering, or from a venue similar to yours. Remember social media is a highlight reel!

Backup Plans

Ask about backup plans, both in terms of equipment and in case of unforeseen circumstances (like illness). A professional photographer will have contingencies and networks in place to ensure your wedding is captured beautifully, no matter what happens.

Post-production and editing

Understanding what to expect as the client from the post-production process is important. Look at the editing style and skin tones, do you want your images to look true to how things were on the day? Or would you rather more artistic licence with colours? Ask how long it typically takes to receive your images after the wedding. Delivery times can vary from 1 month to 12 weeks, is this something that’s important to you? You can also ask about speedy delivery at an extra cost. Some photographers offer sneak peeks or previews which can be a lovely surprise during your wait. 

Cultural and Personal Touches

If your wedding incorporates cultural traditions, bring your photographer in the loop. They should be open to capturing those special moments that reflect your heritage and personal story. They might need some additional information to learn how to capture these well, but a good photographer will be excited to experience it!