How to choose a wedding photographer (without feeling overwhelmed)
Tips from a recently-married Manchester & Cheshire wedding photographer!
There’s no denying it - choosing a wedding photographer can feel like a big deal. There are so many options, styles, and opinions about what you should be looking for and how your wedding photos should look, and it’s all too easy to fall down a rabbit hole of comparing portfolios, prices, and packages until everything is just one big overwhelming blur.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck with it, I promise you’re not alone! The good news is, it doesn’t need to be as complicated as it often feels.
Start here: How do you want your wedding photos to feel?
In my opinion, this is the most important first step, before you get into pricing, packages or logistics. Take a step back to think about what you actually want - not just what looks ‘nice’ but what FEELS like you.
Some people are drawn to very polished, editorial images that you might find in a fashion magazine, whereas others prefer something more relaxed and natural. Some want lots of direction, others want to forget the camera is there altogether. If you’re not sure what kind of photography you like (or maybe even what the options are) check out my blog here which breaks it all down for you.
As a wedding photographer working across Manchester, Cheshire and the North West (who got married in Manchester myself just last year), it’s fair to say I see a huge range of styles and approaches every day, and there genuinely isn’t a right or wrong choice. It’s just about recognising what resonates with you and using that as your starting point.
Think about a realistic budget
Now you’ve got an idea of what you’re actually looking for, have a think about what kind of spend feels realistic for you. In a sea of wonderful wedding photographers, a good clear budget is an excellent tool to help you filter your options and come up with a realistic short(er) list. There are literally thousands of incredible wedding photographers to suit every budget, and getting clear early on helps avoid disappointment or an unintended financial overstretch.
That being said, don’t lose sight of how a photographer’s work makes you FEEL - use your budget as a guide to help you filter, rather than a hard and fast rule. You may find a photographer so perfect for you that you’re willing to stretch the budget a little, and this can be so worthwhile - after all, these are photos that will last a lifetime.
Check out their websites, not just their social media profiles
In a time when social media is king, it can be easy to overlook photographer’s websites in favour of the highlights they show on Instagram and TikTok. However, don’t forget to have a good look on their website - you’ll likely find a lot more information about who they are as a person, a more focused portfolio of their work and in-depth information about the packages and services they offer.
I also found when I was looking for my wedding photographer that I knew within a matter of seconds whether a particular photographer was a good fit for me, just from their website homepage. Sometimes, you just know!
Have a conversation
Once you’ve started narrowing down your options, having a chat with wedding photographers you really like the look of is a great way to get a feel for them as a person and how they might fit into your wedding day on a human level. Most photographers will offer a pre-booking phone or video call, and this is something you should definitely take advantage of (or ask for if it isn’t suggested!). Again, within a few minutes of chatting you’ll have a much better idea of whether or not they’re a good fit for you as a couple and the wedding day you’re planning.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions during these conversations - from their approach, preferences and editing style to their contract, pricing and delivery methods, make sure you’re getting all of your key questions answered.
Why connection with your photographer matters
Here’s something a lot of couples don’t realise: you’ll spend more time with your wedding photographer on your wedding day than almost anyone else.
If you’re planning to have your photographer with you all day, they’ll most likely be there while you’re getting ready, during some of the most emotional parts of the day and often right through into the evening, so it’s not just about liking their photos. It’s about feeling comfortable with them as a person.
Two of my best mates got married recently, and during our post-wedding debrief they said to me, “I have a whole new respect for you and what you do as a wedding photographer now.” They couldn’t believe just how integral their photographer would become to the smooth running of their wedding day, and even more importantly, their experience of their wedding day. As photographers, we don’t just stand back and take photos - we’re the ones running to find a last minute safety pin, doling out tissues ahead of a big reveal, grabbing umbrellas for your wedding party during an unexpected rain shower, giving you an excuse for a quiet moment when it all feels too much, being a listening ear when you just need someone to talk to.
This is why it’s SO important that you have a comfortable, trusting relationship with your wedding photographer.
Ask yourself:
Do they put you at ease?
Do you feel like you can be yourself around them?
Do they communicate in a way that feels clear and reassuring?
Do you feel safe being truly in love and together in front of them?
Do you trust that they’re a safe pair of hands?
If you’re feeling nervous about being photographed, this matters even more. The right photographer will help you relax into the day so that you can forget you’re being photographed and just bask in the beauty and wonder of your wedding day.
Understanding wedding photography pricing
Wedding photography pricing can vary quite a lot, and it’s not always obvious why.
It’s not just about the hours on the day. It usually includes:
time spent editing and curating your gallery
experience and ability to handle different situations
support before and after your wedding
the overall experience, not just the final images
Cheaper options aren’t always bad, and more expensive doesn’t automatically mean better. But understanding what sits behind the price helps you make a more informed decision.
Different photographers will offer different packages too - from short coverage to full day wedding photography, from digital galleries to USBs, one photographer or two, a free pre-wedding photoshoot, a photo album, a bunch of prints included… every photographer’s offering will differ slightly. Have a good think about your non-negotiables and nice-to-haves.
Think about photographers at weddings you’ve been to
This can be great inspiration for what you want (or don’t want!). You might have LOVED the photos from a loved one’s wedding, liked the way they worked on the day and feel like they’re a good fit for your wedding. Drop them a message, or think about what it was you liked so much and use that as guidance.
Or maybe you’ve experienced a photographer who did everything you didn’t like on the day, and was memorable for all the wrong reasons. There’s nothing wrong with this - as we’ve already said, different strokes for different folks. But thinking about this can give you a really useful pointer towards what you don’t want.
Read reviews and testimonials
As with any big purchase, reviews and testimonials can provide excellent guidance when choosing a wedding photographer. It’s not just about how many ‘stars’ they have either - check out the key things past couples have said about them , how they contributed to their day and how they made them feel. Do these align with your values and dreams for your own wedding day?
You can check out my Google reviews here, btw.
Some things I don’t think are important when choosing your wedding photographer
Whether they’ve photographed a wedding at your venue before
This might feel like an important factor, but in reality, it’s not what makes great wedding photos. What matters far more is how your photographer works with light, how they read a space and how they respond to the people and moments unfolding around them. Every wedding is different, even at the same venue, so experience isn’t about knowing a specific location, it’s about knowing how to adapt.
A good photographer can walk into any setting and find what works. Whether that’s spotting the best light, using the surroundings creatively or simply focusing on the energy between people, those are the things that make the photos feel special.
Meeting your photographer in person
It’s something people often feel like they should do, but in reality, what matters is that you feel comfortable and have a good connection with them rather than how that connection happens. A video call or even a phone call can give you a really good sense of someone. You’ll get a feel for how they communicate, how they put you at ease and whether you click. That’s far more important than sitting down together in person for the sake of it. Most of the couples I work with I’ve only met virtually before their wedding, and by the time the day comes around it doesn’t feel like we’re meeting for the first time at all.
You don’t need to know how to pose
This is probably one of the biggest worries people have, and one of the most unnecessary! You’re not expected to turn up on your wedding day knowing what to do in front of a camera - that’s not your job. A good photographer will guide you when you need it, but more importantly, they’ll create an environment where you don’t feel like you have to perform. The focus isn’t on getting everything “right”, it’s on helping you feel comfortable enough to just be yourselves. You can find a ton more advice about how to feel comfortable in your wedding photos on another blog post here.
The bottom line: You don’t need to have everything figured out
It’s easy to feel like you need to have all the answers before you enquire, but you really don’t. A good wedding photographer will help guide you through things like coverage, timelines and what might work best for your day. You’re allowed to ask questions, change your mind, and figure things out as you go. Remember, this is a collaborative process, not a test!
Trust your gut when choosing your wedding photographer
After all the research, comparisons, and conversations, there usually comes a point where something just feels right. Trust this feeling!
And remember - this isn’t a quest to find the ‘best’ wedding photographer. It’s about finding the right one for you.
Looking for a Manchester or Cheshire wedding photographer?
If you’re planning a wedding in Manchester, Cheshire, or the North West and want photography that feels relaxed, natural and true to you, you can find out more about how I work or get in touch here.