Lewis’ Guide to Finding the Perfect Wedding Photographer
My guide to finding the best photographer for your perfect Scottish wedding.
As you embark on your journey towards the perfect wedding day, one of the crucial decisions you'll need to make is finding the right wedding photographer for you.
you don’t have to book me, just don’t book someone rubbish!
Start with Local/Venue Searches:
When beginning your search, utilise keywords and search terms specific to your location or venue. For example, phrases like "St. Andrews wedding photographer," "wedding photographer near St. Andrews," or "best wedding photographers in St. Andrews" and “Kinkell Byre wedding photographer'“ will help you find local professionals who specialise in these areas. You will find photographers that have worked here successfully, and have made the effort to get to the top of the google results! Commitment confirmed.
Explore Their Portfolios:
As you shortlist potential photographers, take time to explore their portfolios. Simply put, you have to love what they are doing. Look for keywords such as "natural light wedding photography," "documentary-style," or "artistic wedding photographer." These phrases indicate different photography styles that may align with your vision. Pay attention to the consistency, quality, and creativity of their work, ensuring that their style resonates with your personal taste. It’s unlikely you will want a natural light photographer for your winter wedding, and likewise you might not want an editorial photographer if you are totally opposed to posing or having a couple shoot on the wedding day.
Read Reviews and Testimonials:
To gain insights into the experiences of other couples, search for reviews and testimonials of the photographers you're considering. Keywords like "wedding photographer reviews in St. Andrews" or "client testimonials" will lead you to valuable feedback. Genuine reviews can provide you with a sense of their professionalism, reliability, and ability to capture candid, emotional moments. Here is a link to my wedding photography reviews page where many previous clients detail the experience I provided.
Wedding Photography Pricing and Value
These aren’t the same thing! You can find a beginner photographer for as little as free to a few hundred pounds. I only recommend experienced, hard working photographers, with a wonderful personality to couples when I am unavailable. There are great photographers at all price points, however you wouldn’t want the least experienced brain surgeon, and it works the same way for your wedding memories.
If you manage to get the choice down to two or three photographers and there is a sizeable divide in the monetary cost - you have to work out why this is. Asking directly is the best bet!
Are they your kind of person?
Now this one is tricky for both photographers and engaged folks like yourselves. An email, phone call or zoom gives you a snapshot of the persons personality. I have come off many calls feeling like I spoke too much. Because I did! I am chatty on the phone, with your guests, and with you if you’re nervous and need a giggle on your wedding morning. But I am keeping uninvolved in your wedding day besides these times where a lively and encouraging personality is not only preferable, but necessary. I wouldn’t encourage an introverted photographer to anyone, like I wouldn’t enjoy an extremely nervous pilot!
As you evaluate photographers, look for those who have experience working at your venue. This familiarity can be advantageous as they will know the best locations for stunning shots and be well-versed in the logistics and how the events team like to do things there. If your photographer hasn’t worked at this venue before it isn’t always a bad thing. Just make sure they have worked at somewhere similar, with the same aesthetic you would like to see in your images.
Navigating Wedding Photography Costs in Scotland
Navigating Wedding Photography Costs in the UK: A Comprehensive Guide for Newly Engaged Couples. How much should you spend on a wedding photographer?
How much should my wedding cost?
Average UK wedding cost to couple: £32,000 (£30,000 in Scotland)
Average UK wedding photographer cost £1800
Stats booking 2024 -2026
If you google the average wedding cost it will give varied results from £18-30k. There are an approximate 29,000 weddings in Scotland each year and the latest Scottish government estimates are that the average Scottish wedding is worth £48,000 to the economy. This is a split between the couple paying for their wedding £24,000 -30,000 and the guests in attendance spending close to the same. That’s right, your 60- 120 guests spend almost as much as you did on the event, between attire, taxis, accommodation, child care, gifts and alcohol.
I imagine you have probably never hired a photographer, and if you have chances are they weren’t a wedding specialist. Why does it cost so much?
Photographs start with a cost, but can become priceless. Click to see a divine St. Andrews wedding gallery
Understanding the Average Cost of a UK Wedding: Before diving into wedding photography expenses, it's essential to have a grasp of the average cost of a wedding in the UK. As of recent data, the average UK wedding cost is around £30,000. This figure encompasses various elements such as venue, catering, decor, attire, and, of course, photography.
It is important to note that I have been to amazing low budget weddings, and weddings that didn’t photograph as well that had vast budget. Budget actually has little to do with the human connection that is most important in your photographs.
Absolutely going for it - captured at 11.45pm on new years eve.
How Much Should I Spend on Wedding Photography? The amount you allocate to wedding photography depends on your priorities and preferences. Generally, wedding photography costs can range from £1,000 to £3,000 or more, depending on factors like the photographer's experience, location, and package offerings. To determine your budget, consider what aspects of your wedding day are most important to you and allocate your funds accordingly.
I am not writing this blog so that you book me! I encourage those with a lower budget assigned to photography to try a student or a beginner that has some great images in their portfolio. The one thing I preach is don’t book someone crap!
Factors Affecting Wedding Photography Costs:
Photographer's Experience and Reputation: Established and highly regarded photographers often charge more for their expertise and quality of work. Location: Wedding photography prices can vary across regions in the UK, with London typically having higher rates compared to other areas. Package Inclusions: Wedding photography packages may include engagement sessions, additional photographers, or extended coverage hours. Understanding what each package offers helps in making an informed decision.
Most photographers will have 2-4 packages and offer add ons. I offer a base package that means I walk away from the wedding day knowing my couple will be delighted with the level of coverage. I do not include an engagement shoot so to keep the cost at its absolute lowest. It is important to realise that no small business is ever able to offer something for ‘free’. A free engagement shoot or album costs the business time or money, that will be factored in elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions by Engaged Couples: "How much is a wedding photographer in Scotland?" "What's the average cost of wedding photography in London?" "How much should I spend on wedding photography?" d. "What factors should I consider when budgeting for wedding photography?"
The average price for wedding photography is £1800 in the UK. Ask yourself if you want a good deal, someone who is priced to meet the national average or an above average photographer? You should not feel like your photographs will be poor at a cost of £1400. Likewise you should feel very excited when booking a photographer at £3000.
Tips for Optimizing Your Wedding Photography Budget:
Prioritize: Identify the most important aspects of your wedding day and allocate a significant portion of your budget accordingly.
Research: Compare the work and pricing of multiple photographers to find the best fit for your style and budget. I encourage finding work you like above pricetag.
Customization: Some photographers offer customizable packages, allowing you to tailor services to your specific needs. This is perfect if you are at the top of budget, and don’t need the engagement shoot or album.
Plan Ahead: Booking your photographer early can sometimes result in discounts, especially for off-peak dates. I don’t charge less for a wedding in winter as I will put in the same, often more work due to lighting considerations - however many do.
Can’t we just use phones?
Yes. But please don’t!
Asking a person to photograph an uncontrolled event with mixed lighting for 10 hours results in thousands of images. To find the best ones to present takes several hours. At this point the photographer should really edit the photos. Lower cost photographers can skip this phase altogether, and higher cost photographers can outsource this phase and pass on the price to the couple. There is no way to bypass the time involved in doing a proper job of someone’s wedding images. It takes a minimum of 20 hours up to 50 hours for a wedding gallery, depending on the skill of the photographer or the level of care.
Investing in professional wedding photography is a significant decision that requires thoughtful consideration. By understanding the average cost of a UK wedding and the factors influencing photography prices, you can make informed choices to create lasting memories of your special day. Remember to prioritize what matters most to you and tailor your budget accordingly for a seamless and memorable wedding experience.
If you have enjoyed reading this post about wedding costs, and in particular wedding photography pricing in 2024 onwards - please have a look through my wedding galleries.
What can be quite frustrating is all the leg work finding out how much each supplier costs. I believe in full transparency - saving you time and effort as you choose your dream team of wedding vendors.