It’s nearly that time of year again when wedding vendors get flooded with enquiries (or inquiries, for our American friends). Every wedding vendor is important, but your photographer and videographer will spend most of the day with you. This is why it’s absolutely crucial to book the right wedding photographer for your big day. Weddings are expensive! You don’t want to get scammed out of your money. Keep reading to learn about some red flags to look out for when hiring your wedding photographer.
Wedding Photography Contract
If your potential wedding photographer does not have a legal contract with terms that you both agree to, this is a major red flag. I’m a Scotland Wedding Photographer so my contract is under UK law, but this also goes for American Wedding photographers and Europe based wedding photographers.
A photography contract is crucial. Many professionals won’t even photograph friends or family (even for free) without one. Contracts protect you as a client and outline the services, timeline, format, delivery method, included final products, and image-related legalities.
Without a contract, you’re vulnerable if something goes wrong. Recently, there’s been a surge in couples being scammed. Photographers took their money but didn’t show up, and without a contract, legal recourse is challenging.
Don’t overlook this step. Before paying, make sure you’ve read, understood, and signed the contract. For photographers, contracts also help manage expectations and protect our businesses. If a photographer doesn’t use a contract, it’s a red flag. Proceed with caution!
If you’re in the UK, I STRONGLY suggest joining this facebook group which lists A LOT of UK wedding scammer vendors.
Lacking a Portfolio
When I say lacking a portfolio, I don’t mean they need hundreds of weddings on their website or Instagram. What I mean is they should offer at least three full galleries. Key word: FULL. We don’t want just Instagram highlights. We want to see complete galleries.
On my website, I showcase our newest material. You’re seeing weddings we’ve done this year. However, I have external hard drives full of past wedding galleries. I choose to market with newer content to keep things fresh and keep Google happy.
If a wedding photographer doesn’t offer full galleries for review during the booking process, it’s a major red flag.
While I only share full galleries with enquiring clients, you can check out three of our highlighted weddings form 2024 here:
No Consistency in Editing
Most professional photographers have an established style. Over the years, they develop a consistent body of work. Additionally, the beginning and end of an album should be consistent. If their work seems all over the place, that’s often a red flag.
I’m a cinematic and fine art photographer so that means that my photos are a little on the moodier side. What you wont see in my galleries are bright and airy photos.
The Photographer is willing to give you the RAW files
Many professional photographers have faced the dilemma of giving clients RAW files. However, 99.9% of reputable pros won’t provide them to wedding clients. Fun fact: most consumers don’t even have the software to open a RAW file. This topic is almost taboo in professional photography. Companies that value their branding and final product never consider providing RAW files. Let me put it this way. A RAW photo file is like the negative in film photography. Back in the day, if you owned the negative, you owned the copyright. Today, it still works like this. Beyond other things, the RAW file proves that we are the original photographer and we own the copyright.
In many horror stories on social media and from friends, the photographer readily agrees to give up RAW files. Convincing a pro to provide RAW files usually takes a lot or a special circumstance. If a photographer easily agrees, it’s typically a red flag. We’ve seen this linked to bad experiences for clients.
Do I provide RAW files? Not to regular clients, no. However, if a company or brand hires me, it’s a different story. I charge a very high fee for RAW files. In my marketing contract for these clients, I charge £100 per photo. Often, I require them to purchase a set minimum number of photos. This is on top of my regular fees. As you can imagine, this gets quite expensive.
No follow ups
Running a photography business takes a lot of time. However, it shouldn’t mean limited follow-up with clients. If your photographer seems unwilling to communicate, even on simple things, it’s a red flag. This is especially true if they were quick to respond before you paid, but then became unresponsive after receiving a deposit.
This lack of communication is a common issue in bad photography experiences. We understand that life happens—emergencies, tragedies, and major events can occur. These are more important than business. However, as professionals, it’s our duty to communicate with clients about what’s going on.
I personally aim to respond to emails, direct messages, and phone calls WITHIN AN HOUR of receiving them. This is part of my lead response protocol. If I am on site or at a wedding, then I will get back to those emails, messages and calls the next day between 9 and 5. Even on weekends! I do not take a day off from weddings clients. This is my choice, reflecting my values and belief in great communication. My clients appreciate this approach based on their feedback. I’m not saying it’s the only way, but it works for me.
If a photographer’s communication is spotty, it often signals future issues. Always ensure your photographer maintains good communication throughout the process.
They Don’t Want to Meet in Person
This might seem obvious, but it’s a major red flag if a photographer refuses to make time to meet with you. We’ve heard of desperate clients hiring someone who wouldn’t even make time to meet. Yes, business owners are busy, and photographers are no different. Trying to meet a Scotland based wedding photographer in mid-July? Good luck! We barely see our families during this crazy time. Not kidding!
In such scenarios, zoom and google meets are perfect. Even if your photographer has a busy travel schedule and a family at home, they should be able to schedule you for a consult call via some online video service. Key word VIDEO! You want to see their face. However, if they refuse to meet, don’t have time for a video call, or even a phone chat, they might be too busy for you. More often than not, this is a red flag.
Story time: There’s a photographer down south making big news in the industry, and not the good kind. She claims to shoot 80+ weddings a year! This same photographer has contacted brides the night before their wedding to cancel. She is obviously too busy, yet she keeps taking on new clients. Most professional photographers won’t take on more than 30 weddings a year. I only take on 25 weddings a year to ensure I give my best to every client, making me very exclusive. Ask your potential wedding photographer how many weddings they have that year. If they say more than 30, that could be a red flag.
No insurance
This might seem obvious, but always make sure your wedding vendors are insured. Even with a fantastic photographer, many venues require vendors to have insurance. Without it, they can’t work there. Most pros carry liability coverage and extensive equipment insurance. New photographers might not have insurance yet, but it’s essential. If something goes wrong on your wedding day, insurance can save the day.
Pro tip: Get your wedding insured! I’ve been a wedding photographer for 10 years and have traveled the world capturing weddings, elopements, and portraits. Something always goes wrong at weddings. It could be as simple as a light not working or as serious as your hairstylist not showing up (like at my own wedding). Protect yourself by ensuring your wedding investment (because your wedding is an investment) is covered.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing the right wedding photographer involves careful consideration and attention to detail. Ensure they have a comprehensive portfolio with full galleries, clear and consistent communication, and a legal contract to protect both parties. Be wary of photographers who take on too many weddings, offer RAW files too easily, or refuse to meet with you. Always confirm they have proper insurance to safeguard your investment. By following these guidelines, you can avoid red flags and ensure your wedding day is captured beautifully and professionally.
Getting married in 2025 or 2026?
If you’re getting married in 2025 or 2026 and looking for a photographer and videographer duo reach out! If you’re getting married in the UK or abroad, we’d love to capture your special day. We travel all over Scotland, the UK, Europe, and the United States, bringing our passion for cinematic and fine art photography and videography to each unique celebration. Reach out to secure your date and let us create beautiful memories together! Click here to enquire!
