“There are so many photographers out there, I don’t know where to start!“

I hear this often, so I’ve compiled a brief list of pointers, which will help you create a shortlist:

1. Do you like what you see? Take the time to look through image galleries to make sure that you like the photographer’s style & don’t just take someone else’s word for it. Photographers are like wedding dresses; no two are the same & what suits one may not suit another.

2. Look for authentic testimonials. What do most of us do if we’re happy with something? Yes, nothing. Good service is what we expect for our hard earned cash. So if someone has made the effort to personally thank a provider, then expectations were exceeded. And a sign of an authentic testimonial is if it’s accompanied with an image.

3. Hire an accredited photographer e.g. a member of the IPPA (Irish Professional Photographers Association). Why? Because you are guaranteed to be working with a qualified, insured & accountable professional photographer. For those reasons alone, your risk of running into problems are minimised but in the unlikely event that you do, you may get the support of the organisation to help you resolve your issue, rather than hiring an expensive legal representative.