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Writer's pictureGonzalo Novoa

Creating Lasting Memories: How to Find the Best Wedding Photographer in Perth

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You probably think that the headline is pure clickbait, and you're kind of right... but give me the length of the next paragraph before you write the whole article off 😊


The best wedding photographer in Perth is the one that YOU believe has your interests at heart, shares your values, and vibes with you as much as you vibe with them, but most importantly, shares your vision for what YOUR wedding day should be like.


Thoughts? Well, I hope you're still with me.


The importance of choosing the right wedding photographer


Your wedding photos will be a lasting reminder of your wedding day, and you want them to accurately capture the love, joy, and emotion of this unique day. That's why it's essential to take the time to research and choose a photographer who can deliver on your vision and expectations.

Bride and groom under the veil with scattered clouds and blue sky
Bride and groom under the veil

Before you start your search, it's important to identify what you're looking for in a wedding photographer. By determining your preferences, you can narrow your options and find a photographer matching your style and aesthetic.


I will help you out by listing 7 categories that I believe are the most important when looking for the best Perth wedding photographer (for you). And describe where I fit in each of these categories.


Shooting and Editing Style


When it comes to choosing a wedding photographer, shooting and editing style are one of the most essential elements to consider.


Do you want to remember the candid, unscripted moments of your special day or do you want to remember how the photographer posed you?


Similarly, we all know how a bad filter (or editing choice in this case) can butcher an otherwise beautiful image.


Therefore, it's important to work with a photographer who understands your vision and can deliver the style and feel you want for your wedding photographs.

Black and white image of a bride and her 93 yo grandmother after the reception
Maryanne and her 93 yo nonna after the reception

My Shooting Style

I like to describe my style as a mix of candid and posed shots with a heavy emphasis on candid, documentary, and on-the-moment shots.


I believe that capturing the raw, unscripted moments of your wedding day is crucial, but I also understand the importance of capturing beautiful, posed portraits that will last a lifetime.


My Editing Style

Light and Airy, Dark and Moody, Bold and Colorful, Classic and Timeless, Film inspired Vintage. These are some of the common editing styles.


In terms of editing, I like to keep things classic and timeless.


I avoid trendy filters and overly saturated colours, as I want your wedding photographs to stand the test of time and not look dated in a few years.


Instead, I focus on enhancing the natural beauty of the images through creative choices while maintaining their authenticity.

Bride and two bridesmaids at Kingspark in Perth, WA
Lisa and her bridesmaids at Kings Park

The connection conundrum


Choosing a wedding photographer is not just about finding someone who can take great photos but also about finding someone you feel comfortable around.


After all, your photographer will be with you throughout most of your wedding day, so it's important to feel at ease with them.


Arrange a meeting or phone call to discuss your vision and see if you have a good rapport.


Don't be afraid to ask questions; if something doesn't feel right, keep looking until you find the right fit!

Living room with 3 piece sofa, 1 piece chair, TV and TV table with fine art prints over the coffee table
My home studio during "The Grand Reveal" with reveal prints on the coffee table

Am I your guy?

From your first interaction with me, you will feel the care factor. I wholeheartedly believe that human connection is the central element for me to do my best work.


Before the Wedding Day

In the lead-up to the wedding day, we will have close to 20 interaction points to nurture that human connection. This is all part of the carefully tailored client experience that I've crafted for my couples over the years.


During the wedding day

I strive to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere during the wedding day by expressing kindness, joy and love to my couples, their families and their friends. So when I arrive at the first location on a wedding day I set the following intention for the day:

Kindness is the road to happiness.
Joy is the passage to bliss.
Love is the key to all doors.

With this intention, I step into my cheerleader role for you, like The Police in "Every Breath You Take".


I'll be watching you 👀 but in a totally non-creepy way! 😂 I'll capture all the special moments and emotions that make your wedding day unique.


Also, I won't be just another "yes-man" buddy. Rather, I aim to be the best friend who offers valuable advice, earns the goodwill of your family and guests, and is not afraid to voice concerns and say "no" when necessary.


After the wedding day

Your client experience continues, with little gestures and surprises while you wait for "The Big Reveal" When we meet to see your lifetime memories for the first time.


Depending on how we craft your wedding collection we will also work together in designing and ordering your Wedding Album, Fine-Art Framed Canvas or one of the awesome memory boxes to consolidate your story as a Legacy for future generations.

Wedding album with gold engraving over a table, surrounded with frame mouldings for printed artwork
My Heirloom sample album at a wedding expo

Experience in the Wedding Industry


Wedding photography requires a unique set of skills and experience and strong technical skills, including the ability to handle rapidly changing lighting conditions or capture fast-moving action.

bride and groom walking down the isle during their ceremony
Sarah & Ian walking down the isle during their ceremony

Wedding photographers must also be proficient in using a range of camera equipment, including lenses, flashes, and other accessories to capture the best possible shots in different scenarios.

Bride dancing during the wedding reception inside of Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle
Erin dancing her feet off at the reception at Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle

My take on the above...

In my journey to become the photographer I am today, I trained and experienced all kinds of lighting environments in multiple photography genres, from peaceful planning in landscape photography to well and not-so-well-coordinated family and corporate events, as well as adrenaline-fueled nightclub photography.


None of these has the complexity and uniqueness that wedding photography requires, however, they have all provided me with the building blocks for becoming a proficient wedding photographer fostering artistic, technical and human connection skills.


Professionalism


Professionalism is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a wedding photographer.


The last thing you want is for your photographer to make you feel uneasy during crucial parts of the day, or have little or slow communication before and after the wedding.


Imagine having to chase your wedding memories versus getting regular updates and specific dates for when your images are ready.


I've heard and read, stories about photographers, getting too many drinks too early in the day, as early as before the ceremony and placing an undue burden on the wedding couple by making unsavoury remarks, taking the piss out of guests and getting a little too comfortable with the bridesmaids. Just for clarity, these were all separate incidents 🥲


I've also read horror stories of images not even being delivered, or shot on single-card cameras where the card fails and the images are lost. Forever 😱


Professional photographers must conduct themselves respectfully and courteously towards their clients, guests, and other vendors.


They should maintain a positive and approachable demeanour and strive to create a comfortable and relaxed environment for their clients during the wedding day.


After the wedding day, they should provide regular updates and keep you appraised of the progress of image delivery.

Bride and groom with wedding guests guests posing for the shot
Sarah & Ian at their reception with friends

When you work with me

You can expect me to be warm and approachable during the day, I aim to meld with the crowd, and by getting familiar with them, they end up helping me get the best angles for storytelling, even moving aside without even having to ask! Sure, I'll have a drink or two with you, but only after the reception is well underway or earlier if you're persuasive! 🤣

After the wedding and as mentioned earlier I'll keep you appraised of the progress and the wait time will be in excitement instead of dread and doubt. The big reveal is the most anticipated day for my couples!


Availability


Wedding photography is a highly sought-after service, and the top photographers can book up years in advance! I recommend booking your wedding photographer at least 12 months or more before your wedding date to ensure availability.


When to book with me?

My whole client experience starts the moment you fill in the contact form on my website and it's designed for a lead-up time of around 12 months before the wedding day for the best experience. In saying this, I've booked weddings with just over a month of notice and things still work out well, we just move faster with questionnaires, meetings, brainstorming and everything else.


Reviews and Referrals


Want to know if a wedding photographer is worth their salt? Look for reviews and referrals! These are like insider tips from people who have already gone through the process of choosing a wedding photographer 😁

Referrals, on the other hand, are like the holy grail of recommendations. They come from people you know and trust, like your best friend who had a kick-ass photographer at her wedding 😎 or your wedding planner who's worked with hundreds of photographers and knows who's the real deal.

So, don't be afraid to do your research and ask around. The best wedding photographers have a trail of happy clients behind them and are always happy to share their success stories.


My reviews are my treasure

Each review is a testament to my dedication to my craft, my clients, and their special day.


They provide me with valuable feedback and insights into how I can improve my work and continue to exceed my client's expectations.


It's a humbling experience to receive positive feedback and know that I have made a difference in someone's life by capturing their memories beautifully and timelessly while providing an incredible client experience.


I take so much pride in my work, and my client reviews remind me why I do what I do every day.

Bride and groom standing at the altar during their wedding ceremony at Kidogo Arthouse in Freemantle
Erin & Geordie's wedding ceremony at Kidogo Arthouse in Freemantle

Printed Products


In today's digital age, it's easy to forget about the importance of printed products. However, there is something special about holding a physical print in your hands or admiring it on your walls. During your research, figure out whether your photographer can take care of this or if it's something that will be left up to you to work out at a later stage (let's be honest, most people don't finish their DIY projects 🙃).


I am a "Printographer"

Printed products have a certain charm to them. They capture a moment in time and preserve it for generations to come.


They allow us to relive the emotions and memories of our special day in a way that digital images simply cannot reach.


Plus, having your photographs printed in high-quality materials elevates the overall aesthetic of your home decor. 🖼


I offer a range of printed products, from simple to luxurious wedding albums, Fine-Art prints, Framed canvases and prints and the highly sought-after memory boxes.

Hand-mande wooden box with clear acrylic lid housing matted prints with additional prints around it over a coffee table
The hand-made, Victorian ash timber memory box and mounted prints

I believe that these products help to bring your wedding photos to life and make them a tangible reminder of your special day.


During our initial consultation, we can go through these options and discuss what will work best for you and your partner. I have samples of the different products I offer, so you can get a better idea of what to expect.


Research and Shortlisting


With everything that we've discussed in mind, one of the easiest ways to get started when looking for the best Perth wedding photographer (for you) is to jump on Instagram and browse the hashtag #perthweddingphotographer. You'll get an instant stream of recent samples from local photographers.


This can help you identify the ones that match your desired shooting and editing style.


Use the "Save" feature on Instagram to create a shortlist. From there start browsing websites, reviews, offerings and compare.


When you have a few favourites send enquiries with your wedding date so we can immediately check if we're available for you or not!

Mobile phone screenshot of the Instagram app for ios showcasing wedding images by the search #perthweddingphotographer
#perthweddingphotographer search results

Putting it all together


Start by getting a piece of paper and writing down the categories.

  • Shooting and Editing Style

  • The connection conundrum

  • Experience in the Wedding Industry

  • Professionalism

  • Availability

  • Reviews and Referrals

  • Printed Products


From there fire up your favourite search method, maybe it's Google, Pinterest or Instagram as suggested and start saving some results, Explore websites, check out those "About me" pages, find Google/Facebook Reviews and start shortlisting.


And when you realise that it's all too much, get in touch with me.


I will take care of you and your partner for real, like actually giving a damn about your dream wedding day, I will help you transform your vision into a reality and your mum will not stop talking about how your photographer was so good and funny... I get that every time 😂


For real though, if you consider your wedding day an important milestone and a truly special and intimate time, I want to hear from you and your partner. Let's make some magic together!

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