Bridal musings: How we chose our photographer.

Picking a photographer can be super easy or a little like keeping your head afloat. The Island has some fab talent and it can be a little daunting on who to choose. So here is how I broke down that conundrum.

Off the bat I said to Lee photography is up there on the wants list, so we agreed on how much we were willing to spend. Photography to me is super important and I wanted the right person to do the job, there are so many styles out there there’s edgy and raw, There’s candid and subtle, there’s formal and classic the list really does go on and those I’ve mentioned also tend to be a mixture also, I think we fall into the subtle and somewhat classic, we want images where the poses aren’t to forced I’m not the biggest fan of everyone standing in a line but that’s my personal preference so take my likes as just that “my likes” I love the photos where the only way it was captured was if the photographer was right next you, but you’re so in the moment and they just know how to sneak in and out again without being seen, I call these ninja photographers!

So how did we decide? Well we drew up a list and spent hours looking over their works and sent email’s off asking for quotes (photographers tend to get booked quickly so get asking as soon as you can) and we then spent more hours looking over their Facebook pages, their websites and other areas of their social media, we looked over their reviews, these can set your mind at rest seeing what past couples have said – do your homework.

We wanted a photographer who would make us all feel comfortable, but not in your face. It started to get clearer in what we wanted as we kept going back to the persons work and the fog started to lift and we became more confident with who we were going to go for. Once we got the quotations naturally some were removed and that’s totally fine, if they don’t fall into your budget that’s a ok that’s just how things go, doesn’t mean any less of the photographer you do go for – yes you can barter with a photographer and many can work to what you have in mind, but don’t feel bad about saying no and continuing the search, its about being truly comfortable and sticking with what you want to pay.

So we were down to three…. And all prices were on par with one another but we just kept coming back to one, and you know what? they shared this image and I said to Lee that’s it, that’s out photographer, the image was simple it was classic and it was subtle everything that we wanted.

He’s all booked in and deposit is paid! We’ll be meeting up soon to do our pre wedding shoot which should be fun! These shoots can help with breaking the ice. I talk more once we’ve done our and hopefully I’ll have that post for another day! Our photographer is the very talented Oscar May: the Occasion We can not wait!

So my top 5 tips

1. Decide on a budget.

2. Draw up a list of possible photographers and who you thinks style works for you.

3. Get in contact ASAP – I can’t stress enough that its never to soon to get asking and booking. Find out if their costings work for you or not and if they are available for your chosen date.

4. Do your homework – chat with past brides, ask for full images not just the ones that made it online, others costs – travel, look over if food needs to be provided etc.

5.Experience is very helpful, someone who has a few weddings under their belt can help make the day run extra smoothly, but I will say this -don’t overlook the new photographers who are wanting to get there footing in the wedding industry just do your homework. there are some bargains to be had!

Till next time!
Sharon

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