Choosing your wedding photographer is about much more than finding someone with a good camera.
Your photographer will be with you during some of the most important moments of your wedding day – from the ceremony and family photographs to the quiet moments together, speeches and celebrations.
Just as importantly, the photographer’s approach can make a big difference to how comfortable you feel in front of the camera.
I’m Lucas, an Edinburgh wedding photographer specialising in natural, relaxed wedding photography. If you’re currently looking for a photographer for your wedding in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Scotland, here are the things I believe are most important to consider.
Start With a Photography Style You Love
Before comparing prices and packages, spend some time looking at the photographer’s actual work.
Wedding photography styles can vary considerably. Some photographers create highly posed and editorial images, while others concentrate more on candid moments and documentary photography.
My own approach combines natural storytelling with relaxed portraits.
During the ceremony, speeches and celebrations, I prefer to photograph moments as they happen. When it’s time for couple or family photographs, I’ll provide enough direction to help everyone feel comfortable without turning the wedding day into a long photoshoot.
Think about the photographs you would like to look back on years from now.
Do you prefer natural expressions and genuine interactions? Are photographs of your family and guests particularly important? Do you love dramatic couple portraits, or would you rather spend less time posing and more time enjoying the celebration?
There isn’t one photography style that’s right for every couple. What matters is finding someone whose work feels right for you.
Look at Real Weddings, Not Just a Portfolio
A photographer’s portfolio will naturally contain some of their favourite photographs.
That’s useful, but it doesn’t necessarily show how they photograph an entire wedding.
Look for examples from real weddings covering different parts of the day, including the ceremony, couple portraits, family photographs, speeches and celebrations.
For example, you can see Suzy and Phil’s Rosebery Steading wedding to see how I photographed their wedding throughout the day.
For a completely different type of celebration, my Edinburgh City Chambers wedding photography article follows a city-centre ceremony followed by a celebration at Summerhall.
Real weddings give you a much better idea of what you could receive than a collection of unrelated photographs.
Choose a Photographer Who Fits Your Wedding
Not every wedding needs the same photography coverage.
A small Edinburgh City Chambers ceremony might only require photography around the ceremony, family photographs and a short couple session afterwards.
A larger wedding may start with preparations and continue through the ceremony, reception, speeches, cake cutting and first dance.
That’s why I don’t think couples should choose a package simply because a certain number of hours sounds right.
Start by thinking about which parts of your wedding you actually want photographed.
If you’re planning something smaller, have a look at my guide to small and intimate wedding photography in Edinburgh.
Check Exactly What Is Included
Once you’ve found a photographer whose work you like, look carefully at what their packages actually include.
Don’t compare photographers on price alone.
Consider:
- How many hours of photography are included?
- Which parts of the wedding will be covered?
- Approximately how many edited photographs will you receive?
- Are the photographs supplied in high resolution?
- How are they delivered?
- Is an engagement session included?
- Are there additional charges you need to know about?
My current wedding photography packages range from shorter coverage for ceremonies and intimate weddings through to extended coverage for couples who want the wider story of their wedding day photographed.
Rather than repeating every price and inclusion here, I recommend checking the Packages page for the current options.
This also keeps this guide useful if my packages change in the future.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Edinburgh?
If you’re planning your wedding in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Scotland, take a look at my wedding photography packages and see which level of coverage could suit your day.
Decide How Much of the Wedding You Want Photographed
A simple way to work out how much coverage you need is to imagine your finished wedding gallery.
Where would you like the story to begin?
Perhaps with preparations in the morning, or maybe the ceremony itself.
Then think about where you want it to finish.
If you mainly want the ceremony, family photographs and couple portraits, shorter coverage may be enough.
If you want the preparations, ceremony, reception, speeches and first dance included, you’ll need considerably longer coverage.
Your locations matter too.
Four hours at one venue is very different from four hours involving travel between several locations around Edinburgh.
Make Sure You Feel Comfortable With the Photographer
Most couples aren’t used to being photographed professionally.
Feeling slightly awkward in front of a camera is completely normal.
A good wedding photographer should be able to give you direction when it’s useful without making every photograph feel staged.
My approach is relaxed. During most of the wedding I work around what’s happening naturally. When we take couple portraits, I’ll offer simple guidance so you’re not left wondering what to do.
The aim isn’t to spend your wedding performing for the camera.
It’s to create beautiful photographs while allowing you to actually enjoy the day.
If you’re particularly nervous about being photographed, an engagement photography session before the wedding can also help you become more comfortable in front of the camera.
Look for Local Edinburgh Experience
Edinburgh is an incredible city for wedding photography, but photographing here also comes with practical considerations.
Popular locations can become extremely busy. Weather can change quickly. Some locations work better at particular times of day, and your wedding schedule may only leave a short window for photographs away from the venue.
Local knowledge can therefore be very useful.
From the historic streets of the Old Town to viewpoints, gardens and quieter areas around the city, there are many possibilities depending on the style of photographs you want.
You don’t necessarily need to spend an hour travelling around Edinburgh either. Often we can find excellent photography locations close to your ceremony or reception.
For more ideas, see my guide to wedding photoshoot locations in Edinburgh city centre.
Ask to See Weddings Similar to Yours
A photographer doesn’t necessarily need to have photographed your exact venue before.
What is more useful is seeing how they have photographed weddings similar to the one you’re planning.
If you’re having a City Chambers ceremony, look at examples of small city weddings.
If you’re planning a full-day celebration, look for weddings showing everything from preparations through to the evening.
If you’re having an intimate wedding, look at smaller celebrations rather than judging the photographer only by large traditional weddings.
This helps you understand how their photography works in situations closer to your own.
Understand How Your Wedding Photographs Are Delivered
Before booking, make sure you know what happens after the wedding.
Ask how the finished photographs will be delivered, approximately how many you should expect and whether the images are supplied in high resolution.
You should also know whether the photographs are individually edited and approximately how long the final gallery takes to prepare.
My wedding photography packages include professionally edited, high-resolution images delivered through a private online gallery.
You can see the current inclusions on my Photography Packages page.
Read Reviews From Previous Couples
Reviews aren’t just useful for finding out whether couples liked their photographs.
Look at what people say about the whole experience.
Were they comfortable with the photographer?
Was communication good?
Was the photographer organised and reliable?
Did they work well with guests?
Did the couple feel relaxed?
These things matter because your photographer is going to be around you and your closest family and friends for a significant part of the wedding.
Questions to Ask Before Booking a Wedding Photographer
Before making your final decision, I’d ask:
- Is my wedding date available?
- How would you describe your photography style?
- How much coverage would you recommend for my wedding?
- What exactly is included in the package?
- Approximately how many photographs will I receive?
- How will my photographs be delivered?
- Can I see examples from real weddings?
- How do you approach family photographs?
- What happens if we’re uncomfortable in front of the camera?
- Can you photograph more than one location?
- What happens if the schedule changes?
- What are the booking and payment terms?
You don’t necessarily need to send a photographer a huge questionnaire.
The important thing is that you understand what you’re booking and feel comfortable asking questions.
Should You Have an Engagement Photoshoot Before the Wedding?
You don’t need an engagement photoshoot, but it can be useful if you’re nervous about being photographed.
It gives you an opportunity to experience a professional session together without the time pressure of your wedding day.
You’ll also learn what simple directions and poses feel natural before the wedding.
You can see an example in Laura and Fraser’s Edinburgh engagement photoshoot or find out more about my Edinburgh Engagement Photography.
When Should You Book Your Edinburgh Wedding Photographer?
Once your wedding date and main venue are confirmed, it’s sensible to start looking for your photographer.
Popular dates can be booked well in advance, particularly Saturdays during the main wedding season.
However, don’t assume it’s too late if your wedding is approaching. Shorter and midweek weddings can sometimes have availability much closer to the date.
The easiest option is simply to ask.
Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer in Edinburgh
There isn’t one photographer who will be right for every wedding.
Choose someone whose photographs you genuinely love, whose approach suits your personalities and whose coverage makes sense for the wedding you’re planning.
Look beyond a few impressive portfolio images. Explore real weddings, understand what’s included in the packages, read reviews and speak to the photographer.
Most importantly, choose someone you feel you can trust to document the day while allowing you to enjoy it.
If you like my natural and relaxed approach, you can find out more about my Edinburgh Wedding Photography and view my current Photography Packages.
Planning Your Wedding in Edinburgh?
From small City Chambers ceremonies to full-day celebrations, I offer natural and relaxed wedding photography tailored to your plans.
Tell me your wedding date, venue and what you have planned, and I’ll be happy to check availability and discuss the right coverage for your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by finding a photography style you genuinely like. Then look at real weddings, reviews, package inclusions and the photographer’s experience. It is also important that you feel comfortable communicating with the photographer and understand exactly what is included before booking.
It depends on which parts of the wedding you want photographed. A short ceremony may only require coverage around the ceremony and portraits afterwards, while preparations, speeches and the first dance require longer coverage.
No. An engagement session is optional, but it can be useful if you want to become more comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding.
That’s very common. My approach combines candid photography with simple guidance during portraits, so you don’t need any experience in front of the camera.
Yes. I photograph small and intimate weddings as well as longer wedding celebrations. The amount of coverage can be chosen according to your plans.
Yes. Wedding photography can also be arranged outside Edinburgh and in other parts of Scotland.
