Guests talking outside.

Have you photographed at our wedding venue before?

When it comes to choosing the right wedding photographer for your big day, there’s lots of things you need to consider. However, one thing that doesn’t matter quite as much as you think, is whether or not your photographer has shot at your wedding venue before. Nonetheless, what I still get asked A LOT is – have you photographed at our venue before? Here are a few reasons why it doesn’t matter.

  • blue doors at firle place leading to courtyard
  • groom putting ring on bride's finger
  • bride and groom walking through field with golden hour
  • golden hour bride with bridesmaids all huddled together smiling
  • groom doing up his shoe laces
  • bride getting out of black cab with red London bus driving passed her
  • two grooms with heads together and one hand on partner's chest
  • Bride and groom walking away alongside a field.
  • Groom hugging bride from behind.
  • Man holding boy over his shoulder - B&W.
  • Bride, guest and two boys.
  • Bride and groom hugging.
  • holding hands with west pier behind them
  • smiling bride and groom with wind swept hair brighton wedding
  • kissing by rough windy seas brighton wedding
  • groom kissing brides head london wedding
  • bride and groom behind door reading to walk out onto famous steps chelsea town hall
  • Guests outside wedding venue/ church.

Venues change according to light, the weather and season

This might sound odd as you will have obviously chosen your venue for the aesthetics of the place but from the photographers perspective knowing how to work the light and the weather is what’s important – not whether they’ve shot at the venue before. It’s this technical knowledge that creates the consistency in their photography style. A good photographer can work anywhere and deal with any kind of light, weather or season.

Fresh eyes, fresh perspective

YES! Fresh eyes at a venue a photographer hasn’t shot at before will bring new and inspired creativity. If you choose someone who shoots at a venue week in week out, there will definitely be a difference to how they approach the day. Some of my best work has come from venues I’ve never shot at before! A big part of why you choose your photographer is for their creativity and flare – this doesn’t mean they won’t have any if they go to a new venue. It goes with them to every place so it will be in abundance!

First things first, while it’s lovely to get married in an amazing venue, and yes okay, you definitely want to have this featured in your photos, more than anything else, your wedding snaps are all about the people. It’s about you and the people you love, celebrating together and having a great time, and that’s what the best wedding photographers are skilled at capturing, regardless of where your wedding takes place.

Connection and confidence

with your photographer is what you should be looking at first and foremost. I believe this is the single most important factor when booking your photographer. And it’s this (and technical know-how) that will produce the most amazing photos for you – not venue experience. They are going to be around you all day, you need to feel comfortable with them and not just think about whether they’ve been there before.

Preparation is key

Hopefully you’re now convinced it’s not the most important thing to have your photographer a regular at your venue. But that’s not to say preparation isn’t also key. I will, if possible, always do a venue reccy. If it’s not possible before the day, I will always turn up super early to give myself the chance to get familiar with the venue, meet the wedding team and to work out the light, where the sun will set etc.

Have upmost confidence your photographer will do the best work for you, regardless of where they are. And at the end of the day your wedding is about the people not the place, you’re paying for your photographer’s creativity and signature style and hopefully, you’re looking for wedding photos that are unique to you and your wedding day, so if you like your photographer’s portfolio then go ahead and enquire about your special day!