Last updated : 13th February 2023
What to look for and what to avoid when choosing and researching Wedding Photographers UK.
Things to look for with a Professional and Trusworthy Wedding Photographer:
Check for reviews - remember that all review systems can be manipulated but Google reviews have always been a good guide so look up the photographer on a google search and see their reviews
Check the contact details page on the photographers website make sure they show an actual photographers name and address / contact details
Check the age of the website itself using https://who.is/ , paste the photographers web address in there and see how old the site is and who owns it
Look at galleries and a range of different weddings and work across social media sites for the photographer - if your unsure of anything then investigate further using image searches etc
When approaching the photographer ask if they are fully insured and if they have backup equipment
Things to AVOID with a wedding photographer:
Avoid any photographer who does not have an acutal name and just uses generic company names like Teesside Wedding Photographers etc as they may be outsourcing
Check that if your using a company they are not outsourcing the work to some cheaper photographers/students etc as they will not perform to the same standard
Check the photographer has insurance personal idenmnity and public liability - without this some venues may refuse them access ( responsible venues now check this )
Avoid using a friend with a camera/phone unless your not really bothered if your day is captured properly! The camera is just a tool its the Photographer and their experience that make the photos.
Choose your own photographer - their are many unregulated practices in the wedding industry and whilst venues/fayres etc will all recommend photographers they dont actually vet them and wont be responsible if anything does go wrong. Most wedding fayres / directories and similar do no checks at all into the legality of the photographers they promote and these relationships are purely financial. There is nothing wrong with looking at suppliers recommended by venues ( some will be excellent ) but if they try to force them upon you be wary.
So how much is a good Wedding Photographer in the UK ?
The answer to this lies in many parts. Experience - A more experienced photographer will charge more than a new starter as they are charging for more than just operating a camera and the whole skill of helping orchestrating the day and making sure everything goes to plan - as well as considering the amount and cost of equipment the more experienced tog has to pay for. Location - A photographer in the North East will be able to charge much less than a London Photographer simply to down to the cost of living and expenses - it can also be cheaper to get a photographer from the North to travel to a venue in the South. Package - More Hours , Albums and extras all add to the cost. typically a charge of £100-150 per hour is around the norm for the North of the country - adding in albums etc can add up to £500 plus depending on the quality. Remember to also consider the time of editing and admin/advertising/office costs etc in the cost - the Wedding Photographer does not make £100 per hour - a 10 hour wedding involves around 20 hours of editing and admin time so a £1000 wedding is for 30 hours and then factor in cost of equipment transport clothing etc and it comes in at closer to £25 per hour this is also then subject to tax. Time of Year and Day - As can be found in many industries booking a wedding and all its suppliers can be cheaper off peak , in wedding terms this means winter and weekdays ( excluding friday ) will be cheaper.
Take a look at our UK Wedding Photography Pricing here
Take a look at our contact details here