What do you look for when choosing your Wedding Photographer?

Some thoughts from Gypsy.

It is a well asked question, especially in these social media driven days when there is global access to so many.

When I started as a Wedding Photographer here in Ibiza, it was  a simple task to be seen and get connected to potential couples and even more so on our small island. The industry of Destination Weddings was still relatively small and intimate, especially here in Ibiza.  I knew all of the best Ibiza Wedding Suppliers and they knew me. I had a simple website ( loved it, it was like an art portfolio and I did not need any words on it for SEO) and being number one on Google Ranking was pretty easy.

In the same way, as a couple, choosing your photographer, I presume was also relatively easy. You were getting married here in Ibiza, so you chose your photographer, from here. Reading a few reviews online and then speaking to all the local suppliers when visiting.

We are now surrounded by a great number of photographers, of all talents and experience levels, with great number of styles and prices. Who also have many different ways to promote and market themselves.

I have begun to think it must be over whelming as a bride and groom to get started, looking for all their potential suppliers, especially abroad! I definitely know as a photographer it is over whelming to market yourself amongst all the many options there are globally and even here on Ibiza.

SO how do you start?

I believe there are two things to ask yourself at first; Is the Photography (and Videography) important to you as a couple? How important? Therefore what amount of your total wedding budget can you put aside for it?

I know for some couples the priority is the food and music or the venue and view. It really is such a personal choice.

I am a visual person. For me good photography will always be a priority.

Imagery is so important across the  world now- through Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook,  photography has become a bigger form for communication. (My pet peeve is bad quality photography, especially pixelated photos and crooked horizons.)

A photograph is a tiny moment captured in an instance, made into a forever.

For you wedding day, so much planning goes into this one day and after the event, its joy, your partying and celebration, what  you have left is; your marriage, your memories and your photographs and video.

Of course your family and friend’s Smart phones will give 100s of photos. there is no comparable difference of the quality between these and a professional’s 100s of photographs.

So, if the photography is important to you and on the top part of your list of things to priortise. These are some things I would recommend considering;

Style: There are many labels put to Wedding Photography; Fine Art, Documentary, Natural, Relaxed, Editorial and a few. With presets and filters (in Digital photography) it has made it easier for different fashions and trends to influence the style a photographer chooses as their own.  Finding a style that resonates with you and will still resonate in 10 – 20 years time is a valuable decision. Don’t just go with a trend because it is what is in now! Thank about how it will look and feel in the future.

Experience: Check their experience, validate their work. Being a good wedding photographer is not only about being good at taking photos, but having the experience to navigate a whole wedding day, whilst getting good photographs as well. Don’t only check their Instagram numbers and feed. Find their Website, ask for Galleries of real weddings, speak on the phone. Make sure their skill is not just good marketing. It is very easy to ‘blag’ your way to the top, especially  in our current AI world.

Cost: Most of the time a photographer’s price reflects their experience with in their market. (It is such a big question amongst photographers at the moment, how to price themselves against their competitors.) If you find the photographer that it is right for you, sometimes I even think it is worth not even thinking of what they charge. If this is unrealistic then try to find one that fits best to your style and your budget. Just remember the photos are forever.

Reviews: Check their reviews.  Find other couples through forums that married in the same place and might have had the same team on their wedding, so you can ask personal questions. Read real reviews. Ask other suppliers. have a phone call and get a feel. Trust your instinct.

Also remember the photographer(s) will be with you for the whole day, they are a part of the wedding party, whether they are loud and energetic or quiet and in the background. So you want to like them and enjoy spending time with them!!

I leave you with some happy photographs from Ibiza weddings I have photographed over many of  the years I have been an Ibiza wedding photographer.