What are the attributes and elements needed for a good wedding photographer? It's not just down to technical ability or creativity - there are many other little aspects that help a wedding photographer to truly capture the atmosphere and emotion of a wedding day. Couples spend months and thousands of pounds planning their wedding, and one of the most important lasting mementos they take away from their special day is their wedding album. Choosing a wedding photographer is not usually a decision taken lightly, and understandably so - it's not as if you can re-do the day if the pictures don't come out right!

So what does a good wedding photographer need in order to take great wedding pictures? Below is a list of some of the most important things you should look for when deciding on your wedding photographer. When you meet your prospective photographer for the first time, sit down and have a proper chat about your requirements and your vision of the day, and make sure you look through their portfolio so you can get an idea of their style. You need to have a personal working relationship with your photographer, and if you don't feel at ease in their presence then it's not likely you're going to feel comfortable with them on your wedding day, and as we all know, the best photos are taken when subjects are feeling relaxed and confident! So have a look at this list of what makes a good wedding photographer and see if you can check off the majority of points with each photographer you meet with.

Flexibility - Weddings don't always go to plan. It's important that a photographer is able to adapt and be spontaneous if it rains, or if things go a little awry. Wedding photographers need to work well under pressure and work fast!

Emotion - Photography isn't just a technical skill, it's all about evoking emotion from your subjects, your backdrop and your composition. The best way to see this is in existing photos in a portfolio. Do you get a real sense of the emotion of the moment in each image?

Style - Each photographer has their own style. Wedding photography and video packages are adaptive and able to adopt different styles according to requirements, but it's a good idea to ensure your style suits theirs overall.

Attention to Detail - Wedding photos aren't all about posed group shots! A good photographer notices the tiny details, the secret glances and candid moments. Remember every inch of your wedding with photos of all the little details that made it so special.

Reliability - As a bride or groom, you need to know the services you've booked are going to be at your wedding on time and be reliable! Weddings are stressful enough as it is, without being unsure if your photographer is going to make it...

Unobtrusive - A wedding photographer shouldn't dominate the day. Though they should be able to organise group shots in a friendly and personable way, they should also be able to disappear into the crowd to take all those wonderful candid, journalistic shots without being obtrusive and making a big deal of things.

Trustworthy and Understanding - Your wedding photographer should almost be an extra friend at your wedding. You need to trust that they will make you look fabulous. You need them to be understanding of your needs. You need them to help you make your wedding day the best day of your life. And a good wedding photographer will do all that, and more.

I keep in mind back to when I got married plus the sheer aggravation of browsing through all of the photographers in my region led me to nearly quit fully! Certainly, that was not possible and seeing as it was the one particular "task" I had to finish inside the preparing of my wedding, I decided to create positive I did it proper. I choose to share my tips on what to search for when selecting your wedding photographer to spare you the frustration I went via and to separate the wheat from the chaff.

1. Transparent Pricing

Yes, pricing is number a single on my list! Lots of photographers like to hide their prices to force you call them. This in turn makes it possible for them to begin the "hard sell" on you. It really is also likely they are going to have other hidden extras someplace down the line as well... be it added charges for printing photographs or added to cover your reception at evening. Make certain any photographer you are taking into consideration includes a transparent pricing structure in location and includes a "no hidden extras" clause in their contract.

2. A Portfolio From A Full Wedding

Ask your photographer to show you an album from a current wedding instead of the hand picked "best of your best" you are going to see on their web-site. This provides you a fantastic likelihood to determine if the photographer can seamlessly blend all of the parts of one's significant day with each other to create a set of memories you are able to cherish forever. It would also be wise to ask to find out photographs from weddings exactly where the climate was poor or exactly where the reception hall was especially dark to ensure the photographer can handle all kinds of conditions.

3. Meet Your Shortlisted Photographers

A major element of wedding photography is personality and how well the photographer and happy couple get on in each other's business. That is why I often advocate meeting your prospective photographers in individual before you book them on their photographs alone. This allows you to see if you can function collectively, in case your photographer has fantastic "people skills" to be able to manage your wedding party and to view all round in the event the photographer has what it takes or simply talks a good game on his or her site!

4. Word Of Mouth

This really is the 1 time where that continuous nattering around the street corner can in fact spend off! Many people get married and virtually every wedding features a photographer! So ask your pals if they have any recommendations for you personally or certainly if they know of any photographers to avoid. The business revolves around word of mouth and if a photographers has a poor reputation in your neighborhood area then you definitely can bet that there's a reason for it. Also check on online forums for critiques of wedding photographers and you'll make sure you find either positive or negative reinforcements.

5. Trust YOUR Gut

You understand the wedding photography style you happen to be in search of. You realize the kinds of folks you like to be around. You understand precisely what you wish out of your photography. When you are thinking about photographers, it is smart to trust your gut and give more thought to individuals who catch your attention after you attain their web-site. Only you can make the choice so right after all stated and carried out, trust your instincts!

I hope this article has been helpful within your search for a wedding photographer. That you are arranging for among the greatest days of the life and you will have to be so excited! Try and loosen up and get pleasure from the method even at those instances you feel like calling it all off!

Stewart McKay is nicely placed to comment on wedding photography having covered weddings in Scotland and as far away as South Korea. He adopts a mix of classical and modern reportage wedding photography and likes to remain out in the way capturing organic, candid photographs that tell the story of a wedding.