Wedding Photography Advice | Angela Ward Brown

Angela Ward Brown has photographed weddings for nearly 15 years across hundreds of venues with thousands of people. She understands it can be a little overwhelming when deciding to entrust one person with preserving your wedding memories. In this feature we delve through some of Angela’s expert advice, asking her questions on what you need to think about when choosing a wedding photographer. So we put the kettle on, sat down with Angela and asked her a few questions:

So Angela, where do you even start when searching for a wedding photographer?

“Firstly, you need to figure out what it is you want. Are you looking for someone who will take you away for an hour for editorial portraits, a documentary photographer who will record the day as it happens without intervention, someone who specialises in formal family shots, someone who hides behind a bush like a secret squirrel, or a photographer that mucks in and joins your day like a highly enthusiastic guest – or maybe a mix of all the above.

Secondly, you need to talk to them. Once you’ve found someone who’s pictures you like the look of, give them a call or setup a zoom. Your photographer is going to be someone who you spend a lot of time with on the day and they should be able to describe how they’ll act around you and what they’ll want from you. Ask questions, chat with them, and make sure they’re a person you’ll be happy to hang out with all day and someone you can trust to be honest with what they’ll provide for you”

How should couples budget for a wedding photographer?

“Your photography will be a big spend, and it needs to be. It will be the thing that you take away from your wedding and will use for decades to come. Photos are like magic. Even as we snap away a million times a day on our phones, the photos that mean something to us will transport us back to a moment. When your memory fades, a photo of your mate Chris doing an ill-advised enthusiastic dance at 10pm whilst wearing a kilt in a ‘traditional’ manner and that moment your mum had a little cry when she noticed you smiling more than you ever have before, will re-spark that memory in your head. So, consider what proportion of the wedding budget should go towards this. There is no wrong answer, it will likely be more than you imagined, but you need a safe pair of hands on this.”

How much time on the day should you dedicate to your wedding photographer?

“Most of my couples will want some formal group shots. I recommend they look at 8 – 12 group shots because we can usually get that done in 15 minutes and it won’t take you away from your guests for too long but still gives us time to take some classic shots and have some fun. I usually don’t stop shooting between each group shot as my favourite shots are the ones in the moment where everyone is bantering and belly laughing. Some photographers produce very involved group shots but be prepared to devote a little more time to these. Similarly, your couple shots can vary, I usually ask for two ten-minute slots (which I would usually share with your videographer if you have one), one earlier in the day and one at golden hour. This gives me time to get what I need when the light is right but also not turn the day into a photoshoot – I want you to be with your guests, having fun and making memories.”

Have we covered everything you need to think about when choosing a wedding photographer?

“Most photographers are professionals who deeply respect the trust you place in them. We carry back up kit, have insurance and processes in place to make sure your images are kept safe. It is ok to ask about these processes and any photographer worth their salt will happily share them. We also have contracts to protect both you and us, so it is worth reading these carefully. Also ask about delivery timescales, this varies hugely – some photographers may not deliver your images for months after the wedding (they are busy people), so ensure you feel happy with the time it might take to see those pictures.”

And any final tips for our wedding couples?

“Talk to those in the know! Your venue, florists, friends and family members may have hired a wedding photographer they love. Only you can make the decision about style and connection, but asking for someone’s personal experience with a photographer is a great approach. Were they good to be around on the day? Did they manage to take control of your rowdy friends group shots without the aid of a cattle prod and still make it fun? Most of my bookings come from people who have met me at weddings, or I’ve been recommended by wedding team suppliers or my couple’s friends – and they for me are the ones that mean the most. Though I approach weddings with a relaxed and joyful spirit (yes, I may be spotted grooving to cheesy pop tunes on the dance floor), I take my role very seriously. There are no second chances in wedding photography – capturing those smiles, relationships and meaningful moments is what it’s all about. Also don’t worry, when I shoot Chris in that kilt, I’ll make sure I don’t capture anything that will melt my edit screen later…”

Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. Your reputation shines through in the remarks we hear about you from your previous clients  – legend of the lens, best of the best, goddess, to name but a few! We love working with you and this feedback just confirms what we already know!

To see examples of Angela’s work head to her website for a peak: