In a world where the cost of living seems to be continually on the rise, weddings are costing upwards of £20,000 and everyone’s just trying to get the most bang for their buck, it’s all too tempting to forgo some of the more traditional wedding suppliers and resort to a bit of DIY to save a few pennies. For that reason, hiring a professional wedding photographer is often seen as  non-essential nowadays. Heart-breaking, I know.

Don’t get me wrong – I understand it. Photography’s expensive, and when everyone is armed with a smartphone it seems like a great idea to ask a well-meaning friend or family member to be your personal paparazzi for the day. However, the thought of all those fabulous couples looking back on their magical day through substandard photos makes this Bedfordshire wedding photographer’s heart sink. So, if you’re considering tying the knot without hiring a professional wedding photographer, allow Catherine Brooks Photography a few moments to change your mind. 

Not Our First Rodeo

We, as wedding photographers, capture awe-inspiring couples day in, day out, which has given us time to hone our craft and develop a deep understanding of the specific photography requirements to create a wedding album that fills you with joy. We know all the tricks of the trade and we are experts in the exact type of lighting, framing and equipment that will bring the magic of your day to life. If you’re booking us on our home turf, we might even have shot your venue before so we’ll be armed with insider knowledge of all the best spots to get those gorgeous, romantic couple portraits. For example, as a Bedfordshire wedding photographer, I’ve photographed a huge number of venues within Bedford and the surrounding area, so I know how to get the most out of certain venues without taking too much time out of your special day.

Perfect Professionalism

Timings, equipment, organising crowds of people – it’s all taken care of. A good wedding photographer will create a stunning visual representation of your wedding day without leaving you feeling distracted or stressed by the logistics or the minor details. After all, it’s your job to enjoy the moment the first time around, and our job to capture it so you can enjoy it a million times over. So, let us handle the wandering guests, spare camera batteries and the co-ordination of group shots while you have fun popping the Prosecco and toasting to your love!

The Full Package

Wedding photographers usually bundle their services into packages involving elements such as printed albums, USBs and individual prints. By taking advantage of this, you have the opportunity to display your wonderful love story however you choose. This will not only take the stress out of sorting through endless photos, but also gives you flexibility and can even save you money in the long run. You might even find that some packages include a ‘second shooter’ (a secondary photographer chosen by the main photographer) which can allow your wedding to be captured from multiple angles.

Lean On Me

Trust is absolutely paramount when asking someone to photograph one of the most exciting days of your life. You need to know with absolute certainty that you are going to get the wedding album of your dreams, and that the person you’ve chosen knows exactly how to make that happen. Wedding photographers possess a certain wizardry around which poses, locations and shots lend themselves to stunning storytelling. We are also experts in helping people to feel confident and at ease in front of the camera, allowing us to perfectly capture the immense love between you and your partner in a way that no amateur can.

It’s All About The Aesthetic

When you do (please, please, please!) select a wedding photographer, you’ll no doubt browse through their portfolio and pick the professional that most reflects your personal vibe. If you’re a carefree couple, you’ll want someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and who can capture all the fun of your special day. If you’re planning an intimate elopement on a secluded beach, perhaps you want someone whose work is more moody and artistically shot. The last thing that you want is to look through your finished album to find that the images just don’t flow.

An amateur photographer is likely to have a less clearly defined style which could lead to a clashing and confusing collection of images that don’t blend together to tell the story of your magical day. Whatever your personal style, there’s a wedding photographer out there (or even writing this blog!) who will be able to match it. I can promise you that a set of seamless stills, instantly evoking memories as clearly as the day they happened, is totally worth the money. 

The Gold Standard

A lot of people nowadays argue that due to the developments in smart phone technology, professional cameras are obsolete. I beg to differ. The right tools in the right hands can take a single photograph from mediocre to masterpiece in an instant. And it’s not just about what happens on the day, either. A professional wedding photographer invests a huge amount of time after you’ve tied the knot to carefully select, edit and polish your photos to make them really shine. After all, these pictures will be around for the rest of your life: we just want you to look your very best!

So, from the Bedfordshire wedding photographer’s mouth, there they are. Six undeniable reasons why hiring a professional wedding photographer should be at the top of your list. Money comes and goes, but your wedding album lasts a lifetime. Why not invest in one that you will adore as much as the spouse that you’ll be sharing it with? Almost.