Wedding photography is one of the biggest and best investments you can make in your wedding. Long after the cake has been eaten, your wedding photos will serve as a reminder of the best day of your life. It’s important to find a photographer whose work you will love for many decades to come, and you’ll be proud to show your grandchildren. But where do you start? Most of us only get married once and have never hired a professional photographer for anything before. The team in our Kildare wedding venue are happy to give you some suggestions and you can follow our tips for hiring the perfect wedding photographer

1. Book your Wedding Venue First

It’s a good idea to have your wedding venue booked and your dates secured before you engage with any suppliers. Wedding photographers, especially the good ones, are booked up to a year in advance so giving them as much notice as possible is best. Having a venue will also allow them to work out their cost including travel, if needed.

2. Choose your Style

Did you know there were different types of wedding photography? You can choose from reportage photography, traditional photography and contemporary wedding photography, depending what style you like. You may need to decide the type of photography you like before booking a photographer to ensure they are comfortable with the style.

3. Get Recommendations

There is no better credibility than a recommendation. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, especially when looking for wedding suppliers. A happy couple will be the first to recommend their suppliers and the opposite is true too! Try to remember wedding photos you love the style of and ask the couple for their advice.

4. Check Social Media

Once you have a couple of photographers in mind, it’s time to deep dive. Websites are not updated after every wedding meaning you’re getting a limited idea of the dozens of weddings they attend every year. Take a look at their social media and the photos they have been tagged in to give you a broader idea of their work and if it suits you.

5. Speak to Potential Photographers

While it may be tempting to send a couple of emails and secure your booking, we recommend speaking to your photographer, in person if you can. If they’re happy to, meet them for a coffee and get to know them a little, making sure your personalities are compatible – after all they will be a guest at your wedding for the whole day!

6. Discuss the Fee

It’s best to discuss and agree a budget and fee at the early stages of booking. You’d be surprised how big the cost difference is between different photographers. Remember, they’re not too expensive, they’re just out of your budget! Have a written contract that lays out payment dates and exactly what you’re getting for your money.

7. Go With Your Gut

Once you’ve researched each photographer’s work and fees, and narrowed down the options, it’s time to make your decision. Take your time to discuss with your fiancé which supplier you like and remember you’ll be spending the day with this person so make sure you like them. Don’t be fooled by unbelievably low prices. A good photographer isn’t cheap, and a cheap photographer usually isn’t good!

Kildare Wedding Venue

If you’re looking for the ideal wedding venue in Ireland, Kildare is a great place to start. With rolling fields, beautiful castles and canal walks, there are many places to capture those eye-catching wedding shots – the ones that you will hang on the wall, not in a photo album. At Osprey Hotel, our brand new, luxurious ballroom provides the perfect backdrop for your ceremony and celebration. Our team are on hand to help coordinate your big day from start to finish and nothing is too much to ask. Our food and service are second to none making us one of the premier wedding venues in the county.

Contact our team to find out more about our flexible wedding packages or to arrange a viewing of our beautiful Kildare wedding venue. We’d be delighted to be a part of the best day of your life.

Author Bio: Katie McGarr is a resident writer for Osprey Weddings by Osprey Hotel. This luxury four-star hotel, situated in the heart of vibrant Naas town, is known for its central location, stunning ballroom, and sumptuous food that make it the perfect choice for your wedding day. This travel buff loves sharing her insights about weddings, travel, food, and lifestyle.