Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer: Expert Tips from a National Judge

Are you searching for the perfect wedding photographer but unsure where to start? Let me share some insider tips, inspired by my experience as a judge for the national photography awards since 2021. These are from evaluating top photographer entries for The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) and can guide you in making the best choice for your big day. There’s a strong overlap between what I assess as a judge and what you should look for in your wedding photographer.

1. Experience

Can they shoot well in different environments- different light conditions- different weather- different times of the year? For your wedding it’s important to see if the photographer has much experience. Weddings can be unpredictable, and an experienced photographer will know how to adapt seamlessly.

We all start somewhere, this may be led by your budget. Less experienced photographers understandably charge less. More experienced photographers will be confident photographing in all conditions, deal with any unexpected situations easier, are likely to have more expensive camera gear and back ups too.

Less experienced photographers understandably charge less, which might work better if your budget is tight. However, more experienced photographers are often better equipped for surprises. They’ll likely have more advanced camera gear and backups. Look at their portfolio to see diversity—can they capture cozy winter weddings, sunny outdoor ceremonies, and everything in between?

2. Feedback

Feedback is critical, both for awards and for personal choice. During judging, seeing what real couples said about their photographer was invaluable. Beyond observing relaxed, happy couples in their photos, dive into Google reviews or testimonials on the photographer’s website. What are clients saying about how the photographer handled the day, the level of professionalism, and their overall experience?

A great photographer doesn’t just take stunning pictures—they’re also personable, calm under pressure, and easy to work with. Ensure the reviews reflect those qualities.

3. Technical

When judging awards, I carefully consider technical elements. Are the photos well-composed? Is there creativity, attention to detail, and good quality editing? These are crucial for producing a beautiful wedding gallery.

4. Style

For your wedding, style is just as important as technical skill. Make sure the photographer’s shooting and editing style resonates with you. Do you prefer candid, documentary-style photos or more formal, posed portraits? Are you drawn to light and airy edits or rich, moody tones?

5. Delivery

Understand the turnaround times for both preview shots and the full gallery. Timelines can vary lots —some photographers deliver previews within weeks, while others take months.

6. Back up

What is their back up plan in case of emergency? Before the wedding, is there a team that have access to your details if something was to happen to them? On the day do they have multiple back up camera options in case of any technical failure? Then after, knowing your photos will be safely backed up and understand their process. How are images stored during and after the wedding?

7. Galleries

Being able to see a full gallery will show more than just the highlights in a portfolio. See all the moments from a day and check the photographer’s ability to tell a consistent story from start to finish.

8. Timings

Do they support you with the timings of your day? A good photographer can help you plan your timeline to avoid feeling rushed while ensuring every moment is captured. from knowing when the coverage starts and what will be captured, to when it ends. Planning a photography timeline is one of the most important things we do with our couples ahead of their wedding day.

I hope this helped you consider how to choose a wedding photographer. Browsing through my portfolio could be the perfect way to check another item off your wedding planning list. If you feel like we’d be a great fit, I’d love to hear all about your wedding vision. You can reach us here >