Wedding photographer Wicklow

How to Choose A Wedding Photographer in Wicklow

Photography is one of the most important investments you will make for your wedding day, so it’s important to make a choice that you’re happy with. This helpful guide offers top tips on how to find the right wedding photographer for your wedding in Wicklow.

Right, so let's go straight to some important points to consider.

Ps: All images featured in this post were captured by Bruno Rosa

When Should You Book Your Wedding Photographer?

Ideally, you should try to book your photographer soon after you reserve your Wicklow wedding venue if not before because the best photographers that serve Wicklow area are booked sometimes 1 or even 2 Years in advance.
Photographers can usually only book one wedding per day, so if they have been booked by one couple then they become unavailable to others. If you are hoping to book a well-known and respected wedding photographer for a popular date, then you will be competing with lots of other couples. You give yourself the best odds of booking a good photographer if you book as early as possible for your Wicklow wedding.

If your wedding is taking place at a peak time, then you will need to book your photographer at least a year in advance. Some of the busiest dates for weddings include:
 Weekends
 The Summer
 Holidays

For weddings at less popular times, six months in advance should be enough time. This applies to weddings that are planned for:
 Weekdays
 Winter

How Much Does Wedding Photography Cost in Wicklow?

According to data from many wedding websites around Ireland, the average couple pays between €1,700 to €4,500 for their wedding photographer. Of course, this figure may go up or down depending on a variety of factors such as the location of the wedding, the date, the experience of the photographer and the package you opt for.

Why Does Wedding Photography Cost So Much?

By hiring a professional photographer, you are guaranteed high-quality photos. This is because they put a lot of time and effort into the process. What’s more, they have the right equipment to ensure that your photos are captured and edited beautifully. In some cases, the photographer may also have an assistant to help them on the day.

Is Wedding Photography Worth the Expense?

Don’t underappreciate the value of good quality wedding photography. Memories of your big day may fade over time, but your photos will last forever. Remember that your wedding photos are something that you will treasure for a lifetime, so it is well worth investing a good level of time, money and effort.

How to Budget for Wedding Photography

You should expect photography to make up between 8 - 15% of your total wedding budget. Before signing a contract with a photographer, be sure to allow plenty of time to research your options, discover your preferences, and to shop around for the best deal. The majority of photographers offer different packages to suit all budgets. However, many don't share their rates online so you will need to contact them directly for a quote. When doing this, don’t forget to enquire about any hidden extras e.g. editing, VAT, travel, and food expenses. You should also ensure that all costs are detailed in a quote before agreeing to a contract.

If you are happy with the costing and would like to hire the photographer in question, then it’s a good idea to get a receipt for your deposit.

How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer in Wicklow

Step One: Research All Your OptionsWe advise giving yourself about one or two months to complete this stage. There are a variety of tools at your disposal to help you find wedding photographers who work in the Wicklow area. Google and wedding directory websites are a good place to start. Keep an eye out for verified reviews from real couples on Google reviews and on wedding websites. It’s also a good idea to seek out recommendations from recently-married friends or family. Keep a long list of all your options by compiling a handy spreadsheet or list.

Step Two: Browse Portfolios

Once you have put together a shortlist, browse through each photographers’ online gallery thoroughly. You will want to check that there is a consistently high standard across all photos.  Pay special attention to pictures that are important to you (e.g. perhaps you really want a shot outdoors or on a stairway) and see if you like how the photographer shoots these. Likewise, if you’re getting married in winter or in a dark location, you will want to focus on how the photographer deals with lighting in similar situations. Remember, that you are evaluating the photography here so make an effort to separate the work from the weddings. In other words, while the wedding may not be to your taste, you need to look at the quality of the photography only. It’s also important to analyse each photographers’ editing technique. Be wary that a heavy-handed approach may be covering up poor quality photography.

Step Three: Identify Your Photography Style

After perusing multiple portfolios, you will soon develop an idea of what style of wedding photography appeals to you. There is a diverse variety of wedding photography styles to choose from. Some examples of popular photography styles include Fine Art, this is a more artistic approach in which the photos are intended to be viewed as a piece of visual art. Photojournalistic this photography style aims to capture candid moments in a genuinely unposed, unprompted, and natural way. Traditional This style typically includes a lot of classic, posed photos. Moody This dramatic style gives off a film-like vibe and is ideal for winter weddings or weddings with a bold colour scheme. Natural Ideal for outdoor weddings, photographers employing this style tend to make heavy use of natural lighting.

Step Four: Create A Shortlist

At this point, you will have a much clearer idea of which photographers stand out to you. You can start to whittle down your long list down to a more defined list of options. Create a spreadsheet so you can easily compare and contrast your shortlisted photographers. You should add columns in which you can note down their availability, cost, personality, experience, reviews, and offerings.

Step Five: Start Meeting with Photographers

You will be spending a large part of your wedding day with the photographer, so it’s highly important to make sure that you get along. Arrange an in-person meeting with some of your top photographers in Wicklow before your wedding. This will allow you to see if you have a good rapport with the photographer and to see if they have the kind of personality that will put guests at ease. You can also use this time to discuss the photos you want and to agree on a detailed action plan for the day. To make things easier, you may also want to bring along a mood-board or a Pinterest board for reference.

Step Six: Agree on A Contract

Before signing a contract, it’s important to make sure that you are satisfied on all counts. Make sure that you have agreed on the total hours of coverage. You should also specify a list of required photographs and any additional special requests. In terms of pricing, make sure that you have a clear agreement in place regarding the cost of prints, photo albums, and non-watermarked digital photos. You will also need to reach an understanding on (a) the payment schedule, and (b) how long it will take to receive the photos. Finally, some photographers may have special terms for copyright ownership so you will want to check that as well.

Six Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing A Photographer

1. Don’t make assumptions about quality based on price. Remember that high-end prices do not always guarantee the best quality and that low pricing is not always indicative of low quality.
2. Don’t try to save costs on photography by asking an inexperienced friend or family member to do it as the quality of the photos may not be up to par.
3. Never sign up with a photographer who doesn’t use contracts. The aim of the contract is to protect you in the event that something goes wrong.
4. Don’t hire a photographer that you don’t get on with. You will be spending a lot of the day with them so it’s important that they have the kind of personality that will put you and your guests at ease.
5. Don’t be vague. To get the best value out of your photographer, it’s critical that you give them detailed information about the kind of shots you would like taken on the day.
6. Don’t insist on just trendy photos. To ensure that your photos are something that you can truly cherish for a lifetime, be sure to include a mix of classic and trendy photos.