What to ask before hiring a Wedding Photographer?

Luke Hughes • Sep 28, 2021

If you are thinking about booking me as your wedding photographer, these are the sort of questions that tend to pop up as we chat and get to know each other.

How would you describe your style?  

I like to describe myself as a ninja or a stalker but the fancy way to describe my style would be as a documentary style photographer. I want to catch those laughs and those special moments, the ones that you do not want to forget.  

How many hours are you there on the day?  

Every wedding is different but for the purpose of a contract I stay for 9 hours. I’m yours from whenever preparations begin to just after the first dance (if you are having one).  

  How many images will I receive?  

It will completely depend on your day and whether or not there is a second photographer but as a guide I aim to give minimum 500 colour images, for a full day.  

Do we have to have group shots?  

No not at all, it’s your wedding day and it’s completely up to you.  Group shots in the wedding world, are called ‘family formals’' however there doesn’t have to be anything formal about them -not unless you want there to be! I have a few prompts in my arsenal designed to create fun and relaxed photographs such as, “everybody look at the best dancer”. It doesn’t matter where you look – as long as it’s not me! That being said, there are some key shots we are going to want to get such as photographs with Grandparents and Parents, these are the ones that are going to be proudly displayed in their homes. So you don’t have to worry about a thing, I always ask for a friendly Usher/Bridesmaid or friend to help me out and round up the troops. 

Do you do posed portraits?  

After the ceremony, you’ll be engulfed to into tearful hugs and you might be pulled away from your newly married husband or wife. I see our time to do a photoshoot as a time for you to take a breather with each other. To look at each other and say, “Yes, it really happened! We are married...”  We could go for a walk in a pretty location after your ceremony or if it’s nice weather, I might suggest going for a walk in the evening just as the sun dips below the horizon, this is known as golden hour as the light is beautiful. 

Do we have to have an engagement shoot?   

You don’t have to but it’s there if you wish to have one. I personally love them! I don’t usually set a time limit for an engagement shoot, as we often spend time talking through the details of the big day. While we are on our walk and we get to know each other, we will also take some beautiful photographs which can be used for wedding invitations or social media. It’s also a chance for you to see how I work so you know what to expect on your big day. So many of my couples start a session with telling me how awkward they are and I love that, because I promise, you’ll mainly be looking at each other and giggling. And there you have it my recipe for the perfect photograph.  

How will we receive our photographs and when?  

Within a month of your wedding day, I will go through and edit all your beautiful photos. I’ll send you a text to let you know they are coming and then you will receive an email which will explain how to access your personal password-protected online gallery. You’ll be able to download all your high-resolution images on to your computer and you’ll also have the option to download web-size images, perfect for downloading on to your phone as and when you need them. You’ll also be given access to a private link, which is perfect for sharing with your friends and family.  

Do you sell prints?  

Your gallery will also grant you access to an online shop where you will be able to buy special prints and canvass. You’ll also be able to make your own wedding album with a range of budgets and I would be happy to help you put this together.  

Please be aware, the shop items are supplied by third party providers. These providers handle any transactions and the items will be sent directly to you. Any refunds will be handled by them. However, if you have any difficulty with these providers, do not hesitate to let me know and I will do what I can to help if need be.  

Are you fully insured?  

Of course! I’m fully insured with both public liability and indemnity insurance. 

Do we feed you?  

Please feed me! I mean, yes please, that would be lovely, thank you. It’s a long day with lots of running around. While guests are eating, it would be a chance for me to take a little break too. It doesn’t have to be anything special but if not, don’t worry, I could also take the opportunity to travel too somewhere local. I just wouldn’t want to miss any of your big day!  

What happens if you are ill on our wedding day?  

If the worse happens, (it hasn’t happened yet) I will do everything in my power to find a replacement to work on my behalf. I know a selection of photographers personally and I am part of a large photography community. Photographers reaching out last minute is not unheard of in these troubling times and cover is always being found.  

When are our payments due?  

A deposit 30% is due to confirm your booking, along with a signed contract. The final balance is due one calendar months before your wedding day. 

If this all sounds up your street, feel free to contact me and we can have our own chat about your wedding day.

By Luke Hughes 18 Dec, 2021
I love Wales! Anyone else? My husband and I holiday there all the time and when I was asked to pop over there to photograph a wedding - I was over the moon! I drove from Hampshire to Cardiff and I stayed in a lovely Bed & Breakfast which was night next to Holly and Marco’s Wedding Venue, the Old Post House.
By Luke Hughes 17 Dec, 2021
Christine and her brilliant and amazing family were planning a holiday get together. During lockdown, their family grew but due to restrictions and their living far apart from each other, this family organised a family get away trip to allow themselves to spend to spend some quality time together. They decided to book, The Georgian Coach House in the idyllic Wiltshire countryside. This sounds like a beautiful idea to me and they also had the wonderful idea to arrange a photographer to document their experience. Thankfully, they found me on google!
By Luke Hughes 26 Nov, 2021
Clock Barn is the venue of MY dreams and I quite literally jumped for joy when I was invited to be Laura and Ryan’s Wedding Photographer here. Clock Barn is situated in beautiful country side just north of the historic town Winchester. From the landscape, the guest rooms and to the barn itself, Clock Barn is the perfect picturesque wedding venue. I found the staff to be warm and accommodating to the bride and groom but also to myself as well. Based on my experience, I would highly recommend this Wedding venue.
By Luke Hughes 24 Nov, 2021
Featured Wedding - The Bridge House Hotel - Bournemouth
By Luke Hughes 17 Oct, 2021
“Why do people have engagement photo shoots?”
By Luke Hughes 03 Oct, 2021
This beautiful couple have a bit of a unique situation. They had a lovely intimate ceremony during 2020 and now in 2021 they are planning their wedding party. They contacted me to photograph their upcoming Wedding Party and soon found that couples engagement shoots are part of my all my wedding packages, we are calling this, “Post-Wedding-Engagement-Photoshoot”. And it was brilliant! We had lots of fun and it has made the excitement for their wedding party all the more vibrant.
By Luke Hughes 28 Sep, 2021
Oh, my goodness, I was so thrilled to be a part of Lauren & Ricky's wedding. Like most couples these past few years, not everything went to plan once they were engaged, but oh my, didn't it all come together for the big day! Their abroad wedding was delayed and they made the decision to have their wedding at home. What better place for a Garden Wedding than the beautiful homes in Winchester.
By Luke Hughes 28 Jul, 2021
First Wedding of non-corvid season and it was so emotional too see everybody dancing!
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