Finding a great Coventry wedding photographer for your big day is made easier with our tips.
If you are looking for a cheap wedding photographer then you should weigh up the cost saving against the quality of images you will receive.
In terms of wedding photographer prices you should make sure you are getting value for money.
Here are some things you should consider when looking for a wedding photographer.
Style of photography
Your wedding photographer will have his own unique style of photography, which you should be able to view on line on their website.
There are three distinct styles of wedding photography:
Reportage:
These are candid images usually taken throughout the wedding day of people being aware of a camera pointing at them.
These casual shots add a dimension to your wedding album that complements your traditional images. Reportage images should NOT be the only type of images in your wedding collection, because they can lack the formality of traditional shots that show off the lovely wedding dress and of course a well-groomed groom!
This style of photography is usually done during a full day shoot where there is more time to spend among the guests.
Traditional
This style is most familiar to people. The happy couple together and family members and friends in a row are typical shots. This style requires a photographer who can politely command attention of the group so that everyone is looking and smiling at the camera.
To get better shots the photographer will probably stand on a ladder because most people look better looking slightly up towards the camera.
Your entire wedding collection can comprise just traditional images. Be aware that traditional images are usually staged and can lack the informality of the reportage style images.
Artistic
This style requires a photographer who has excellent computer skills because photo enhancement software will be needed.
Typical artistic styles include adding sepia tone to a black and white image to give it an antique feeling and those where a splash of colour is added to a small area of a black and white image.
Ideally you should consider a photographer who can achieve a blend of all three styles.
In order to achieve a blend of all three styles, we ensure that traditional images are taken of the happy couple and key guests. A list of traditional images to be taken is prepared along with the names of those who are to appear in them. The earlier this list is produced the better because it allows you to get on with organising the rest of your wedding.
We normally ask for a guest to help the photographer bring together the right people for each group shot.
Personality of the photographer
This is really important!
I have known wedding shoots to go badly because the photographer was bullish in his approach and not particularly friendly either.
The best photographs are always those where people look relaxed, happy to be there and enjoying themselves. If you have a mini-Hitler barking orders then people will not respond well.
What to look out for in terms of the personality of the photographer:
Good manners.
Avoid photographers who do not make you and those around you feel special. If they are abrupt or disinterested in your early meetings, then you may get this behaviour on your (yes your!) Big Day.
Attention to detail.
Do they give ask you for timings and venue addresses? I make it my business to understand where I am required to be. I often visit churches that I am unfamiliar with way before the wedding. I also asses how much time it takes to get from one place to another in my car – check that your photographer has his own transport (some do not).
Organised.
I ensure that I confirm in writing the day’s schedule and then again closer to the wedding. Even on half day bookings I only book one wedding a day.
Preparedness.
Check that the photographer will bring back-up equipment. I always have two of everything so that if something fails there is a spare at hand. This includes batteries! Some ‘spontaneous’ shots are actually staged – so I always carry spare confetti and a matt powder and a brush to deal with shiny skin!
Kid and dog friendly?
Kids love weddings but they can get a little tired early on. Dogs add something special to the day too. But children and dogs need a photographer who actually likes them. Check that your photographer is ok with kids and animals – assuming they are present. Wedding days offer the chance for the photographer to capture great images of gamily guests looking great together including our four-legged friends.
What are you getting for your money?
Cost is always everything and value for money is going to be paramount in your thoughts.
We operate on a two price rule. We charge fixed prices for both half way wedding shoots and full day wedding shoots based in the Coventry and surrounding areas.
Outside of Coventry the fee needs to be negotiated because of fuel costs and other expenses.
What do you get for your money? To keep the cost as low as possible we use local suppliers for image printing, framing and mounting. These companies are competitively priced and if you want to use them for additional prints and framed images you can, again at cheap prices.
As rule – to keep our wedding photography prices as cheap as possible – we do not offer album production. This is because we can recommend companies who will do this for you saving you lots of money.
We provide you with a presentation box containing all your wedding images along with a set of momento key rings for your guests to keep.
Full day shoots will receive a FREE large framed and mounted main wedding image.
If your wedding is booked at the Village Hotel in Coventry (the one by Sainsburys) please call us because we can offer you a discount.