What to look for when looking through a UK wedding photographers portfolio.
When looking at a wedding photographer's portfolio, there are several things to consider. Below we have compiled and extensive break down for the analytical eye.
Quality of the images: The portfolio should showcase the photographer's ability to capture high-quality images that are well-composed and well-exposed.
Sharpness: High-quality images should be sharp and in focus, with clear details and no blurriness.
Exposure: The photograph should be properly exposed, with good lighting and balanced tones.
Composition: The photographer should have a good sense of composition, with elements arranged in a pleasing and balanced way.
Color: The photograph should have accurate and vibrant colors, with good color balance and saturation.
Noise: High-quality images should have minimal noise, which is the grainy or speckled appearance that can occur in low-light or high-ISO images.
Artistic value: The photograph should be well composed, with a strong sense of style and artistic merit.
Post-processing: High-quality images should have minimal post-processing, with no over-saturation, over sharpening, or other artificial enhancements.
Prints: If you are looking at printed photographs, check for accurate colors, sharpness, and good print quality.
By looking for these qualities in a photograph, you can get a good sense of whether it is high-quality or not. However, it's important to keep in mind that photography is an art form and opinions on what constitutes high-quality may vary.
Variety of shots: A good portfolio should include a variety of shots, such as portraits, candid moments, and details of the wedding. This will give you a sense of the photographer's versatility and range.
When looking for a wedding photographer, it's important to consider the variety of shots they can provide. This includes a mix of posed and candid shots, as well as a variety of perspectives and compositions. Some examples of the types of shots you may want to consider include:
Getting ready shots of the bride and groom, as well as their wedding party
Formal portraits of the bride and groom, as well as their families
Candid shots of the ceremony, reception, and other events throughout the day
Detail shots of the wedding decor, flowers, and other special elements
Action shots of the dancing, cake cutting, and other key moments
Wide-angle shots of the ceremony and reception venues
Consistency: The portfolio should have a consistent style and aesthetic throughout.
When looking for a wedding photographer, it's important to consider the consistency of their work. This includes the consistency in their style, composition, and editing.
Look for consistency in how the images are edited. Are the colors and tones consistent across the images? Are the images over-edited or heavily filtered? Consistency in editing can help ensure that your wedding images will have a cohesive look and feel.
Look for similar weddings to yours:
Look through a photogrphers’s portfolio of UK weddings that are similar to what you envision for your own wedding. This will give you an idea of how the photographer approaches different types of weddings and venues. A wedding in the South of France or the deserts of Morroco will naturally capture very differently to that of a wedding captured in the UK.
Lighting and editing: Photographers should be able to shoot in different lighting conditions and should be able to post-process the images to make them look their best.
Pay particular attention to the lighting in their photos. Look for a variety of lighting scenarios and see if the photographer is able to create interesting and pleasing lighting in different environments. Pay attention to the direction and quality of the light, and see if the photographer is able to use light to create mood and atmosphere.Notice if the photographer uses natural light or artificial light, and if they are able to control the light to create different moods and effects.
When it comes to the editing, look for images that are clear, sharp and well-composed. Also see if the photographer has a consistent editing style, good color grading (do the colours look natural or are they overlay stylised). And then consider also the post-processing skills; how do they crop the images, are the images overlayed with grain and the like. What is the photographer trying to achieve in this space.
Feedback and reviews: Look for feedback and reviews from past clients. This will give you an idea of the photographer's professionalism and how they interact with their clients.
When reading through reviews of a wedding photographer, there are a few key things to look for:
Most importantly pay attention to how relational the photographer was. Weddings are all about celebrating and interacting with people hence relational skills are so important. Our suggestion is look for affectionate comments, this will be the best tell tell sign as to whether the the photographer has left a positive taste in the mouth of the clients.
Quality of the photos: Look for comments about the overall quality of the photographs, such as whether they are clear, well-composed, and capture the emotions of the day.
Professionalism: Read about the photographer's professionalism and work ethic, such as their timeliness, communication, and ability to work well with the couple and other vendors.
Flexibility: See if the photographer is able to adapt and work well in different lighting and weather conditions, and if they're flexible enough to capture the candid and unposed moments of the day.
By considering these factors, you'll be able to better evaluate the quality and style of a wedding photographer's work, and make an informed decision about whether they are the right fit for your wedding.
