What should you consider when you book a professional wedding photographer

How do I go about searching for a Professional Wedding Photographer in Sydney?

A recommendation from a friend or colleague who used a photographer before is the best way to gain confidence in the ability of a professional wedding photographer. In the absence of a recommendation you will have to search for one using all your available resources such as bride magazines, wedding expos and the internet. The Internet is arguably the best way to search for and find wedding photographers in Sydney. It also enables you to find wedding ideas and information on diverse topics such as wedding vows and wedding dresses from international sites that you could incorporate into your wedding. If you are planning a destination wedding the Internet is an invaluable tool to reach professional wedding photographers at your wedding destination. The most popular internet search engine at the moment is Google.

You can also visit the AIPP website and search for professional wedding photographers in Sydney using their “Find a photographer” tool. You can search for a professional Sydney wedding photographer, or for a wedding photographer who will travel to your locale. Please keep in mind that most professional wedding photographers expect you to cover all expenses related to travel.

How do I narrow down the list of Professional Sydney Photographers?

The majority of professional photographers have a website. Visit their website and their wedding gallery or portfolio online. Look for a style of wedding photography that suits your own particular style as each photographer has their own style and will naturally shoot your wedding and design your wedding album in their personal style. Remember that most photographers are artist and are passionate about their work. Unfortunately they will not be able to show you all their work online, so use their website for an introduction to their work and don’t view it as a complete wedding portfolio. Do you prefer the traditional wedding photography, a more casual candid approach or a mixture? Have you considered the photojournalism style of wedding photography? A good professional wedding photographer is capable of offering all styles, but will often specialise in one style. Look at what styles she offers in her wedding portfolios, as this is a good indication of what you can expect to receive. As you visit wedding photographer websites you will start feeling comfortable with a few professional photographers. Add them to your list to contact later.

When do I contact the Sydney Wedding Photographers on my list

Contact a few wedding photographers as soon as you start your wedding planning and have created a list of candidates. You can contact them by phone or e-mail and some will even offer you the opportunity to request a brochure to be mailed to your address. This will help you to understand the terms used by the Sydney wedding photography industry and will be helpful when you compare wedding packages and need to make a final decision.

You need to contact the wedding photographers on your list very early on in your wedding planning process. It is common practice in Sydney for brides to book professional Sydney wedding photographers more than a year in advance. Good and reputable professional wedding photographers in Sydney are often booked up months and even years in advance. You need to secure your photographer as soon as possible, but please don’t make this decision too hastily. You need to feel 100% comfortable with your decision. In most cases booking your photographer and paying a non-refundable deposit will ensure that the prices of your wedding photos and wedding albums will be fixed.

It is essential to have a close professional relationship and you will mostly be able to get an indication of how well you and the photographer will get along by the way they converse with you over the telephone and e-mail. Ensure that your wedding photographer is approachable, and pays attention to your requests and answers your questions to your satisfaction. When you send them e-mail, notice how they respond and whether they use correct grammar and spelling. If their e-mail is not professional, it could also be reflected in the service you will receive from the photographer.

Usually brides will either first book the wedding reception venue in or around Sydney and then the wedding photographer or vice versa. Confirm whether your potential wedding photographers on your list are available on your wedding date. Find out whether the professional photographers advertised on the studio website will be doing your photography as it is important to note that the large wedding studios employ many second and even third tier photographers and assign them to your wedding without you meeting the photographer prior to your wedding.

If you are not going to receive the services of the advertised wedding photographer, establish who will be the actual photographer assigned to your wedding, and make sure that you see portfolios shot by the photographer that will be assigned to your wedding. If the studio is unable to confirm exactly who will be your professional Sydney photographer, consider choosing from your list of photographers that you have met and know they will personally be photographing your wedding.

Why should I meet with my Sydney Wedding Photographer?

After you have completed your online research and reviewed the prices and brochures you have received, make a short list and contact your first choice and arrange a meeting with the wedding photographer. This meeting will tell you a lot about the photographer as a person and will give you a good foundation to make future decisions. If at all possible, both the Bride and Groom should attend this meeting. You will quickly be able to tell if you are going to get along with the wedding photographer. Does she really listen to what you have to say? What style of photography does the wedding photographer prefer to shoot? What style does she think would suit you? You also need to ensure that you completely understand the products and prices they have on offer. When you leave, did you feel as though you had met someone who could become your friend?

If you have a positive face-to-face experience with the professional wedding photographer, don’t hold back any questions as the community of professional wedding photographers in Sydney are members of the AIPP and are always eager to ensure you are fully aware of all prices before you sign your contract.