How can I find a wedding photographer? What do I need to ask them? How soon should I be booking a photographer? If you find yourself asking questions like these, you've come to the right place. Choosing a wedding photographer that's right for you is such an exciting thing, and in the coming paragraphs I'll give you some guidance on how to make that process just a touch smoother.

Hey, I'm Ollie, a wedding and couples photographer from Leeds. Hopefully in sharing some of these tips and pointers on selecting your wedding photographer, I can help make the wedding planning process easier for you.

Are you available on my date?

First and foremost, if you have found a photographer you like, check your date with them, or in your opening message give the photographer the date of your wedding. While many photographers can be booked up from a year or more in advance, its always good to check in and ensure your date is available for them to cover. There's no more disappointing feeling than having your heart set on a photographer after several backwards and forwards discussions, only to find out they can't make your date.

So in short - its always good to check your date with your photographer before anything else.

What is your style of photography?

While many photographers have their own unique style and way of working, its always good to know how the photographer your working with operates. Do they prefer very posed and editorial style photos? Or do they prefer shooting candid and natural moments? Whatever you find is more important to you as a couple, you should look for in a photographer. While looking at a portfolio is the first step, sometimes having that discussion on how your photographer and you are going to be working together is just as important.

How much do you charge?

If you guys have allocated a budget, or have an idea of cost in mind, its worth checking in with the photographer on how much they charge. Many wedding photographers can offer bespoke packages tailored to your day, meaning flexible costs depending on what parts of the day are important to you. Are you just interested in photos of your ceremony and group shots, or do you want all aspects of the day covering? Speak to your photographer and gauge a cost for your day depending on your needs, aligning your costs vs needs with the photographers can be a deal breaker for some couples.

In my packages I offer three main packages; a half day, a full day, and a full day with extras. If you'd like to learn about what each of these include, head over to my Wedding Photography Pricing page.