How does a couple choose their wedding photographer?

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions a couple will make while planning their wedding. After all, the photographer will be responsible for capturing the memories of one of the most important days of their lives.

But with so many options and factors to consider, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some key factors that a couple should consider when selecting their wedding photographer.

1. Style: The first thing to consider is the photographer’s style. Does their portfolio match the aesthetic that the couple is going for? Are their images posed or candid? Do they use natural light or flash? It’s important for the couple to find a photographer whose style resonates with their vision for the wedding day.
2. Experience: The next factor to consider is the photographer’s experience. Does the photographer have experience shooting weddings? How many weddings have they shot? A seasoned wedding photographer will have the knowledge and skills to handle any unexpected situations that may arise during the wedding day.
3. Personality: The couple should also consider the photographer’s personality. Will they be easy to work with? Will they make the couple feel comfortable in front of the camera? It’s important to find a photographer who is professional, yet also personable and easy to communicate with.
4. Reviews: Reading reviews from past clients can be a great way to gauge the photographer’s reputation and level of satisfaction. Look for reviews that specifically mention the photographer’s professionalism, responsiveness, and quality of work.
5. Pricing: Of course, pricing is also an important factor to consider. The couple should have a clear understanding of the photographer’s pricing structure and what is included in their packages. It’s important to find a photographer whose pricing fits within the wedding budget, without sacrificing quality.
6. Availability: Finally, the couple should confirm the photographer’s availability for the wedding date. It’s important to book the photographer well in advance to ensure that they are available on the desired date.

In conclusion, choosing a wedding photographer is a decision that should not be taken lightly. By considering these key factors, a couple can find a photographer who will capture the memories of the special day in a way that matches their vision and style.

To see my reviews click here, and to see examples of my pricing click here.
Thanks for reading and I very much hope to meet you soon!

Update for wedding photography

The global pandemic has been difficult for everyone.  But now bookings for wedding photography are being taken and with safety in mind there’s no reason to worry about your wedding photography.  I’m ready to take your booking and work with you to produce the results you love while in complete safety.  Please get in touch to discuss your needs – examples of the packages I offer are here, and you can email me at dave@dave–wilson-weddings.com or give me a call on 07770-520000 and I’ll be delighted you got in touch!

Thanks!
Dave Wilson

Congratulations to Angela & Phil

Congratulations to Angela & Phil who were married in an extremely intimate wedding at the Bridge Inn, Santon.  It was with immediate family & friends in an extremely relaxed atmosphere.

Katie & Stephen wedding

Katie & Stephen were married at St John’s Church at Bigrigg then the reception was held at Hundith Hill Hotel near Cockermouth.  It was a beautiful Spring day and the daffodils were out in force!

More in the Portfolio – click here.

Ruth & Douglas wedding

Ruth & Douglas were married on a beautiful day in the historic St. Bees Priory and the reception was at the beautiful Hundith Hill Hotel near Cockermouth.  Congratulations both!

More in the Portfolio – click here.

Pete & Laura’s wedding

Pete & Laura got married at St Bartholomew’s Church in Loweswater.  The weather held and even gave a spectacular backdrop against the fells of Melbreak, Rannerdale Knotts and Grasmoor.
It was a very intimate wedding with a relaxed atmosphere.  Congratulations!

More in the Portfolio – click here.

What to YOU want from your wedding photographer?

I’m constantly looking for ways to improve my wedding photography service and I always listen to comments. Why not get in touch and tell me what you want from your wedding photographer?

How cheap is your wedding?

I came across this posting on the Internet, just to sum it up;  “I am starting to see a lot of brides suing their wedding photographers both in Great Britain and the US. Seems some brides are going for extremely cheap deals and then are amazed when they get duped. Even someone who is doing wedding photography as a hobby may not be worried about their reputation or name. Whereas a photographer who has spent a lot of money on their “Brand” is probably going to try fix bad PR.”

I really need to stress, don’t skimp on your wedding photography, it’s a record of one of the biggest days of your life.  I’ve seen the results from some very cheap wedding photography and it’s really not worth it.

Dave Wilson Weddings is an established business providing you with professional wedding photography.  Have a chat with us about your requirements, we’ll give you the best deal we can with a reputation to back it up.

Dave

Does your wedding photographer know what they are doing?

With the UK economy as it is I see an increasing number of amateur photographers being asked to cover Your Big Day. Is this a good idea? Or is it a false economy?

Well, the problem is that many clients have the same expectations from an amateur photographer as they do with the professional images they see in the wedding magazines.  After all, anybody can be a photographer, right? And if that’s true, why not save the money and put it towards something else? WRONG.

It’s true that anyone can press a shutter – but it’s a vastly different thing to have them deliver professional quality images at a wedding. Wedding photography is considered by many to be one of the most difficult, challenging and high-pressure photography jobs around. You have to be master of multiple photography disciplines and you have no luxury of a re-shoot if things don’t turn out.

So what are these differences between an amateur and a professional wedding photographer?

The Amateur;
– “has taken pictures at weddings before”.
– will not understand how light and the camera works, his favorite camera setting is “Auto”.
– doesn’t see the need to spend £400 on an external flash because his camera has a pop-up flash.
– might have a flash but always uses it pointed straight ahead. And it is set to Auto of course.
– has one or two consumer grade zoom lenses.
– gets his prints from a high-street shop.
– will unlikely be able to provide an album (if he does, his selection is limited because most high quality album manufacturers only produce work with professional photographers).
– will not provide a contract.
– can’t give you guarantees… if the wedding pictures don’t turn out, oh well.

The Professional;
– understands how to get the best from any lighting situation from bright sunlight to dark churches.
– can quickly adjust camera settings blindfolded.
– highly skilled at using ambient light, bounced flash, fill flash, and off-camera lighting.
– understands the principles of photojournalism, portrait photography, creative posing, and composition.
– can show you multiple examples of wedding galleries from past clients.
– has enough experience to help your whole wedding day run smoothly.
– has dealt with a host of wedding scenarios including churches, castles, ballrooms, beaches, and parks.
– has shot small weddings, large weddings, traditional, modern and unconventional weddings.
– knows the flow of a wedding day and can anticipate where to be, what to capture, and can adjust to the unexpected.
– can provide valuable advice on your timetable and recommend family group shots.
– has shot hundreds of thousands of images and knows his equipment inside and out.
– has mastered the end-to-end workflow through years of experience.
– provides a contract outlining all relevant facts on the services and products provided and at what cost to the client.
– provides a contract which helps to reduce any misunderstandings between the client and the photographer.
– has insurance to cover himself and his equipment.
– has access to the highest quality professional photo labs.
– works with high-end album manufacturers who only sell to professional photographers.

Phew! I bet you never thought of all that.  Well it is all true and this is why wedding photography is expensive – and should stay expensive.  And I didn’t even include things like accountancy and tax bills, new equipment and maintenance costs, travel expenses and of course … reputation.

So as you as now looking for a wedding photographer make your decision with all of this in mind. And please, please, PLEASE don’t get a family member to do it for you!!

Gary & Lisa’s wedding, Cockermouth

Gary & Lisa were married at All Saints Church in Cockermouth, their afternoon and evening reception at the Hundith Hill Hotel also in Cockermouth.

The photos were taken at the Hundith Hill’s well kept gardens and the weather was fantastic!

Ed & Sam’s wedding at Windermere was amazing!

Ed and Sam were married at the Lakeside Hotel on the shore of lake Windermere.

A very picturesque location, I took them on a rowing boat so I could shoot picture in the middle of the lake!

Anna & John’s wedding in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

An amazing trip to the USA saw me photographing the wedding of Anna & John – an incredible privilege.

They were married in Fallasburg Park next to a stream, the park providing the amenities for the reception and evening party.