HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER ON THE SUNSHINE COAST

Choosing the right wedding photographer for you might seem overwhelming.  But it doesn’t have to be. 

Planning a wedding? Searching for a wedding photographer on the Sunshine Coast? I believe your images are an important part of your family’s history that will give endless happiness to your future family members in years to come.  Long after your wedding day has ended and the flowers have died and your cake is gone, your photos will be the visual memory that keeps the day alive and that’s why I believe you should trust a professional to capture your day with expertise, calmness, and joy. 

Friends and family may offer in good faith to be your wedding photographer but wedding photography is more than having a decent camera and the ability to take a good shot.  A professional wedding photographer is also flexible enough to work through unexpected changes like rain while remaining calm and being able to bring magic to your images.  I have invested a lot of money into my camera equipment and I have trained for years honing my craft so that photography is second nature to me, this allows me to focus on bringing excitement to your day to help create an amazing experience that will be full of laughter and fun as well as touching intimate moments.
I believe photography is an investment, but your images will be priceless.

As you start your search for the best wedding photographer for YOUR day, remember that the experience really does matter. Choose a photographer who will provide not only beautiful images but a stellar client experience like no other!

When finding the best wedding photographer on the Sunshine Coast, consider these 4 points.

Does their photography style that resonates with you?

Do your personalities fit, is this someone you can see yourself hanging out with?

What type of client experience are you after?

Is their photography package in or close to your budget and what’s included?

Here are some frequently asked questions couples want to know when booking a wedding photographer.

Do you have backups on the day of, and backups of our wedding photos after?

A professional wedding photographer should ALWAYS have backup gear in case of an emergency, and dual card slots so that your photos are being recorded to 2 memory cards at once. After the wedding, a photographer should have your wedding photos backed up in multiple places to be sure they’re safe and secure before delivery!

Ask your photographer if they have backup equipment and if they are familiar with multiple brands in case something doesn’t go according to plan. Professionals will always have a solution in hand, while amateurs may not be so prepared. It’s important to know whether the photographer is comfortable working with different pieces of equipment if anything bad happens during the actual event.

What if my photography is sick and can’t attend?

Running a business also entails making sure you deliver on what you promise. A professional photographer should have a team of fellow colleagues with similar, style and quality, that can step in if needed. I’m lucky to have half a dozen top Sunshine Coast wedding photographers able to help me if needed, so your wedding day runs smoothly.

What is the difference between hiring a professional photographer or a cheaper amateur photographer?

“You get what you pay for”

Your wedding day will fly by so fast, and you don’t want to spend any of that time worrying about your photographer. An experienced and seasoned wedding photographer knows all the key moments in a wedding is vital, to ensure no shots are missed.  They will make sure everything happens on time and there are no surprises.   They are able to help with the timeline to make sure the wedding day is fun, and all shots are made.  They understand how to get amazing photos under any lighting and weather condition.  They’ll also have a contract to cover both of you, so you can feel safe you’re in good hands. It’s all the elements together that differentiate and amateur and a pro.  A professional photographer will get amazing images EVERY SINGLE TIME. You will have a gallery full of incredible photos, as opposed to 3 great shots.  A professional photographer will also have a professional website to showcase their work as well as explain the experience you will get and not just an Instagram or Facebook page.  Choosing a photographer is about more than the way their photos look - it’s about the experience they will give you!

How established is the photographer within the industry?

Word of mouth is always one of the best forms of recommendations. Check out their Google Reviews.  Ask your wedding venue, or other wedding vendors.  If you’re getting good feedback about the photographer, then you know you are in good hands.

What’s their photography style?

When looking for the perfect photographer, it’s important to make sure their style of photography matches with yours. Different photographers have different approaches to shooting weddings, so make sure you are asking them what kind of style they are known for and whether it will fit your particular needs! Ask questions like: What kind of photos do you specialise in? How do you approach wedding shoots? Do you incorporate natural light or artificial light? Knowing this information beforehand can help ensure that your wedding photos look exactly how you imagined them.

Check out their website, and social platforms, then ask to see a full wedding.  Don’t over complicate it.  If you like what you see, then you’re going to love your wedding photos. A professional photographer’s style should be consistent, whether it’s natural – true to life colours, dark and mood, or light and airy. 

What’s included in a wedding photography package?

Every wedding photographer is different, so it can be hard to compare.  I recommend once you’ve narrowed down the photography style you like, contact no more than 2 or 3 of your favourite photographers, anymore and it makes it too confusing.

Most wedding photographers will offer a few different packages with varying price-points, so it's important to figure out what's included before making any commitments. Do you get a certain number of prints? How do they deliver the photos -- on flash drives, online portals, or both? Will the final photos be edited and retouched? Knowing these specifics up front can help you choose the package that’s most appropriate for your needs.

How many images should you get?

And, this depends on the coverage you’re getting on your wedding day, how many guests and attendants in your bridal party, what special details you want capture, the list goes on.  You should expect at a minimum edited 50 images per hour.

Should we have a wedding album?

Would you go to a restaurant, sit down, soak up the atmosphere, order a scrumptious meal and leave without eating it? It’s the same with wedding photography.  If you only get digital photos – which most people don’t print, you’re paying for an ‘entertainer’. A wedding album is your handheld memory of your special day, and your wedding deserves to be cherished.

Ask to view full galleries from past weddings?

A great photographer should be able to show you full galleries from past weddings they have photographed. This will give you an idea of their style and the quality of work you can expect from them on your big day. You’ll want to look for images that demonstrate their lighting and composition skills as well as their ability to catch candid moments and important details.

Have you photographed at our wedding venue before?

There’s good chance a professional photographer has worked at your Sunshine Coast wedding venue before.  However,  if  they haven’t, they should visit your venue in the month leading up to your wedding to scout out the best photography locations or if that’s not possible, they will should do an extensive online research and ring your venue prior to your big day.

What if it rains on our wedding day?

Oh, this is where some true magic happens.  The most important thing you can do is just relax and know your professional wedding photographer is skilled in working under all kinds of conditions.  Remember, rain on your wedding day is lucky!

How do we receive our wedding photos?

Technology is consistently changing.  Years ago, you would have received the images as prints.  Over the years we’ve seen floppy discs, CD’s, DVD’s, usb’s and hard drives.  Most professional photographers now days deliver your collection of curated & edited digital images via your own personalised online gallery.  It's easy to use and share with your family & friends, no matter where they are in the world.  It’s here you can download them onto your computer for safe keeping.  It’s also another great reason to have an album, so you always have a hard copy of your wedding day.

Want more free wedding tips? Click here to check out more blog posts like PLAN YOUR SUNSHINE COAST WEDDING and TOP 50 SUNSHINE COAST WEDDING VENUES.

This blog post about How to Choose a Sunshine Coast Wedding Photographer was written by Lou O’Brien, a full time Sunshine Coast and destination wedding and elopement photographer based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

My name’s Lou O’Brien and I’m a Sunshine Coast wedding photographer. I have years of experience, helping couples with their weddings on the Sunshine Coast and I’d love to help you.  Contact me today for more info on my wedding photography packages, or referrals to other wonderful wedding vendors here on the Sunshine Coast.