I find it fascinating how the bride, its usually the bride in my experience, chooses their wedding photographer. Some use the recommendation from the wedding planner or venue owner/manager, some search out a local photographer via the internet, some  search out a destination photographer to travel to the venue and some bring one with them, usually a friend or family member. But how do they choose their photographer for what is the most important day of their life?

The challenge for me as a local photographer is how do the prospective bride and groom find me and then what is needed for them to go on to book me?

What does my website need to say and show to get them to contact me and what needs to happen during that initial contact for them to agree to use me? Obviously I have read what the marketing types say I need to do and believe I have implemented much of it. I have taken 3rd party advice on my website and made changes to it to hopefully improve the visitor experience and I try to be polite, friendly and helpful when I am contacted. All I can do then is trust that my style and my charges are acceptable and keep my fingers crossed.

It was interesting reading Claire Penn's, a fellow wedding photographers, view on this subject on the French Wedding Style Blog. She pretty summed up the decision process of choosing a professional wedding photographer believing the decision required them to consider four topics and I agree with her. But obviously they need to find you first.

1. Local v destination photographer
2. Is it within my budget
3. Do I like the style
4. Do I like their personality

I like to think that I can tick all these boxes but that is down to the bride to-be to decide.