What should you look for in a photographer?

I'm sure you've seen this kind of question on many many wedding websites and blogs, offering you the answer to a question, which I think you already know.  The interesting thing for me is that you don't often see websites with articles entitled; "What should you look for in a good mechanic?" 

Let's be honest, most of us KNOW what we're looking for when we look to someone offering a service; Honesty, integrity, reliability, professionalism (i.e. do they know what they're doing?!).  All these things are 'intangible' and speak of the service you are paying for.  You should expect that the person KNOWS how to take a picture and to use their camera so you shouldn't need to see a list of their equipment and their insurance details and CV!  (If you do, do you usually ask to see the garage and interview the person working on your brakes when you take your car for a service? Why not? :) )

Photography should be a professional service, offered to you professionally and that means the person offering it should have some integrity and be able to demonstrate that.  How do you get to this?  Well, simply put, I believe in 'gut feeling' and when you're meeting and talking to your photographer, it should tell you everything you need to know about them.

Do their words and actions match up to what you expect?  i.e. Are there things that come out of the woodwork as you're talking?  Hidden 'extras' which cost more than you thought?  Do they talk about having lots of experience, but don't ask you what style or kinds of things you like? Do you get a sense this is more about THEM than it is about YOU?

Do they make you laugh and/or make you feel comfortable?  No one is saying they need to be the next Peter Kay, but at the very least they need a personality! You're going to spend your most precious day with them so PLEASE pick someone with heart and a little life about them!

When they arranged the meeting with you, did they turn up when you expected them to? Can they be relied upon to give you the due respect by being on time?!  And if they're late do they let you know and do they offer you a reasonable explanation?  It may sound like a small thing, but this screams respect!  You are busy people and they want YOUR business, so shouldn't they respect you by being on time?

Being professional, offering you a great service that makes you say "WOW" at least once during your interaction with your photographer. That's what your photographer should be aiming for.  If they're not, then they're in the wrong game and you have the wrong person sat opposite you.

So when you next meet with your photographer, please do trust your gut!  If it doesn't 'feel right', then it's probably not. Happy hunting!