Congrats on your engagement! As you begin planning your wedding day, choosing the right wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you'll make! Your wedding photos will be your timeless keepsake—capturing the joy, emotion, and love of your big day; after all there's only a few things that you actually take home with you from your wedding: Your spouse, your wedding rings, and your memories of the day. So, what should Wedding Photography offer, and what should you look for in a Wedding Photographer?

If I were in your shoes, here’s what I would ask myself when looking for a photographer:

·       Do I connect with their photography style?

·       Do I feel comfortable with them?

·       Can they adapt to my venue, lighting, and cultural elements?

·       What’s included in the photographer’s packages?

·       Do they offer engagement shoots, albums, prints, or second shooters?


What do I think Wedding Photography should offer? I believe that Wedding photography should offer:

·       Timeless Storytelling - Capturing emotion, personality, and connection — not just poses.

·       A Calm Presence - A professional who blends in, supports your day, and helps it flow smoothly.

·       Experience & Reliability - Someone who knows how to handle unpredictable lighting, timelines, and moments.

·       An Artistic Eye - A visual style that aligns with your story — whether it’s romantic, candid, moody, or vibrant.

You might get this far and think you’ve got it all sussed out, but there’s still loads more things you should probably consider. I’d obviously love it if you choose me to be your photographer, but wedding photography works both ways in terms of whether I am the right photographer for you, and if you are the right clients for me!  


To help you figure out if we’d be a good fit with each other the rest of this guide goes over most of the topics that I believe should be considered, and what you can expect from me when you book me as your Wedding Photographer:



1. Understand Photography Styles

Photography Styles can be broken down into two categories – Shooting Style (how they actually capture images) and Editing Style (how they make your images look after the wedding), so it’s important to choose one that matches your own style and vibe. Here’s the most common shooting styles:

  • Documentary/Photojournalistic: Candid, real moments, less posing.
  • Editorial: Fashion-inspired, dramatic lighting, styled poses.
  • Fine Art: Romantic, soft, artistic compositions.
  • Traditional: Posed shots, structured group photos.


And here’s the most common editing styles:

  • Dark & Moody – Photos have an emotional & stoic feeling to them.
  • Light & Airy – The complete opposite of dark & moody where photos are more whimsical with an almost fairytale feeling to them.
  • True to Colour – The most traditional where colours and tones are left pretty much the same as they were in camera, with adjustments to the lighting balance to ensure the colours are as shot.
  • Bold & Vibrant – Colours are made more vibrant and colourful and may appear more saturated and contrasting.
  • Light & Moody – A mixture of styles with deeper shadows without muting the colours, keeping the highlights brighter rather than faded to make the colours pop just a little more.
  • Monochromatic – Black and White – not as common these days , but still has it’s place sometimes.


What’s my style? Documentary meets Editorial shooting with Light & Moody editing style- Natural, in-the-moment candids with stunning creative portraits.



2. Know What’s Included in the available packages

Ask what’s covered in the photographer’s packages. Key things to look for:

  • Hours of coverage
  • Second shooter (helps capture more angles/moments)
  • Engagement session
  • High-resolution edited images
  • Online gallery or album
  • Printing rights


I’ve got nothing to hide, so all of the information about what I offer is clear and visible on the pricing page on my website.




3. Timing Is Everything

Organising your day may seem like you need a military operation to sort it out, with wedding planners and venue hosts often trying to dictate your timeline to you, which often doesn’t allow much time for photos. So here’s a rough breakdown of how much time to allow:

  • Getting Ready: 60–90 mins
  • First Look: 15–30 mins
  • Couple Portraits: 30–45 mins
  • Family Photos: 30–45 mins
  • Bridal Party: 20–30 mins
  • Golden Hour Portraits (highly recommended!): 15–20 mins before sunset


Once booked, we’ll walk through your timeline and key moments together. I have a dedicated questionnaire that captures all of this information to make sure nothing gets missed.



4. Do an Engagement Session

Why? It helps you:

  • Get comfortable in front of the camera
  • Build a connection with your photographer
  • Have beautiful photos for save-the-dates, your wedding website, or just memories!


These sessions are as useful to me as they are for you. We’ll get to know each other – you’ll understand how I work – I’ll understand what you’re comfortable with. They really do help make you feel at ease on the actual wedding day too!



5. Must-Have Shots

Every couple is different, but here are some classic moments:

  • Getting ready details (dress, shoes, invitations)
  • First look
  • Ceremony processional/recessional
  • First kiss
  • Family & group shots
  • Candid moments (tears, laughter, dancing)
  • Reception events (first dance, toasts, cake cutting)

 

I have a dedicated form for you to tell me your must-have shots and work with you to ensure we capture them. Many couples like to put together a pin board and share examples of photos they like, which I’m more than happy to use for inspiration to create similar images (in my own style of course!)



6. Budgeting

Photography is often considered a massive expense, but realistically it is usually only around 10–15% of your overall wedding budget. Many photographer’s prices vary based on:

  • Location
  • Experience
  • Hours of coverage
  • Extras like albums, second shooters, etc.


It’s that one area that no-one likes to talk about, but I always recommend prioritising your Wedding Photography over anything else as your photos are one of the few things you’ll have after the wedding day. Again, I’ve got nothing to hide, so all of the information about what I offer is clear and visible on the pricing page on my website.




7. Wedding Day Tips for Great Photos
  • Trust your photographer: Let them guide you on lighting and posing.
  • Schedule enough time: Don’t rush portraits or group shots.
  • Unplugged ceremony: Ask guests to put away phones so the photographer gets clean shots.
  • Be present: The more relaxed and happy you are, the better the photos will be.



8. After the Wedding

Ask about:

  • Turnaround time for photos
  • How/when you’ll receive your gallery
  • Options for prints, albums, or thank-you cards
  • Backups—are your images safely stored?


All of this information is included in the contract when you book me as your photographer!


Final Thoughts

Choosing a wedding photographer is about more than just pretty pictures—it’s about finding someone you trust, who understands your vision, and will capture your love story authentically. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, meet with a few photographers, and go with the one who feels right. If that’s me, fantastic! If not, I hope the information in this guide has helped you find your perfect match.