*Choosing Your Wedding Photographer: the First Step to Success*

Ahhh… those all-important wedding photos- once the flowers die, and the cake gets eaten, you know that it is the one thing that you have that allows you to relive the best day of your life over and over. You might not be able to control the weather, or your mother in-law, but what you can control is what photographer you invite to capture those special moments- not just the big obvious ones, but the little intimate ones that make you guys who your are and the perfect match for one another . Where do you begin? Well, it all starts with your first instincts.

The first steps to feeling comfortable in your wedding photos.

Trust Your Inner Voice

I can’t stress this enough - go with a photographer who makes you feel comfortable, relaxed and confident. Apart from loving their insta feed, you need to connect with them on a personal level too. Essentially, you are employing a cheerleader, a counselor, a time-coordinator and all-round personal assistant.

This person will spend your entire day with you - from your getting-ready prep right to the very last song at the reception. It is so important that you feel calm and at-ease as this sets the tone for the entire wedding. For this reason, I recommend doing an engagement well ahead of time to gauge the level of comfort between you, and if that is not possible- at least a video chat to make sure you are a good fit. If something feels off - they make you feel nervous, anxious or on-edge, for example - don’t ignore the signs. These are not emotions you want to associate with your wedding.

Do Your Research

The best thing you can use social media for: research. Most photographers display their wedding portfolios on Facebook and Instagram these days. Spend ample time combing through past weddings they’ve done. Its all well and good to have a couple of hero images from one day- but what does an entire gallery look like. What is it that draws you too their work- is it in vibe and style in which they captured the day, is it editing… all of these elements work together

Nothing speaks louder then the voice of past clients- be sure to check out reviews and testimonials from past clients to make sure the photographer in question has lived up to the hype.

Experience Counts for a Lot

On the topic of research, the true measure of their work will lie in their experience. Photographing a wedding can be highly stressful - trust me. I hate to say it, but those with more experience in the industry generally handle hectic environments better.

If you’re unsure about a photographer’s experience, be honest. Let them know your concerns. Ask them those tricky “what if” questions ahead of time… What if it rains? What if a memory card fails? What if you run out of champagne? They dont necessarily need to have been in the industry for 100 years, however, the way that they deal with your anxiety or cornerns counts for a lot. You may find that they understand your worries better than you think. This is also an excellent way to create a level of trust and honesty between you.

Relax, You Look AMAZING

Lastly, no amount of encouragement from your photographer will matter if you don’t already believe it yourself. You need to trust in the team you’ve chosen to help you create the most memorable day of your life. Everyone around you truly wants you to have the perfect wedding day. It can be easy to get caught up in your head, especially with all the activity and pressure surrounding you. Remember to breathe, relax your shoulders and smile.

Yes, you look incredible; of course your guests are having a good time and the photos will come out bloody amazing. Now stop worrying and go enjoy your wedding- it truly be one of the best days of your life!