There Are SO Many Wedding Photographers Out There, How Do You Choose?

So, you’re in the stages of planning your wedding and looking for the perfect photographer for your wedding day…

It can feel overwhelming, right?

There are SO many options (especially in this age of social media), all with different styles, personalities and ways of working. But having captured hundreds of weddings across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, I can tell you that the right photographer can make all the difference to how relaxed and natural your day feels and how your photos turn out.

Here are some of my tips for choosing the perfect wedding photographer for you:

Every wedding photographer has their own way of shooting and editing. Some love soft and dreamy styles while others go for bold colours and contrast. Some are hands-on and will guide you through every shot, while others take a more documentary approach and let things unfold naturally.

Spend some time looking through photographers’ full wedding galleries, not just the highlights you see on their Instagram pages. That’s where you’ll see how they capture the whole wedding day from the morning moments to the dancefloor, and you’ll get a much better idea of how they work. If you can picture yourself in their photos, that’s a good sign you’re on the right track!

I always say this is the most important part!

Your photographer is your one wedding supplier who will be with you all day long (you’ll see them more than your partner at times!), so it’s absolutely worth meeting them first to make sure you actually get on well.

You want someone who makes you feel relaxed, who can have a laugh with you and who you’re comfortable being completely yourself around. It makes a massive difference to your photos when you’re genuinely at ease with who is behind the camera.

I don’t want to sound sexist here…but being a female photographer can really help when it comes to being around a bride and her bridesmaids on a wedding day. Let’s face it, there’s so much going on. You’re in various stages of getting ready, there’s hair and makeup everywhere, dresses flying about, so you want to feel comfortable having someone there with a camera, especially at a time when emotions are running high.

I’ve always said that I’m ‘more than a wedding phographer’ – I’ve fixed veils, sorted dresses and even crawled under layers of tulle to untangle petticoats because that’s just what needs doing. My job isn’t just to take beautiful photos of your wedding day, it’s to make sure you look and FEEL amazing.

I can’t stress this enough – don’t be afraid to ask questions before you commit. Things like how they handle family photos, what happens if the weather’s rubbish, how many photos will be in your final gallery and what their turnaround times are.

A good photographer will be happy to talk you through all your queries, and if they aren’t, that’s probably a red flag. I always tell my couples exactly what to expect from me, because it makes the day run smoother when everyone’s on the same page.

At the end of the day, the best advice I can give is to go with your gut. Choose someone whose work you love and who makes you feel comfortable and excited about your photos. It really does make all the difference.

The couples who trust me, have a laugh and don’t overthink it always end up with the best galleries, because they’re too busy enjoying the day.

So if you’re feeling a bit lost in a sea of photographers, take your time. Ask questions, look through full galleries, meet a few in person and see who feels like the right fit. The right photographer won’t just take great photos, they’ll be an asset to your day!

If you’re currently planning your own wedding and looking for a wedding photographer in Aberdeenshire, or want to chat more about your wedding day plans, I’d love to hear from you!