Why not to hire a photographer who has worked at your venue before

I know that every other wedding blog and wedding magazine has it drummed into you from day one of planning y our wedding that you must find a photographer who has worked at your venue before. 

It has always been on the list of questions to ask. However, in the past couple of years, it has suddenly become hugely important. 

And a lot more importance than it should!

Why are you told you should hire a photographer who has worked at your venue before?

The argument seems to be that you will receive better photos if your photographer has already worked at the venue, because they…, well, apparently because they know the place already.

By that logic you should ask your cakemaker and your florist, too, whether they have ever set up at that venue. 

Unless your wedding venue comprises an entire national park in which they might get lost, this argument is in fact utter rubbish. And here is why.

The real advantage of your photographer having worked at your venue before

So what are the advantages if your wedding photographer has already worked at your venue?

Well, they won’t have to walk around to know what is where on the morning of your wedding, or go there a few days before.
And if they work at your venue quite a lot, they will be greeted by the regular staff.

This will save your wedding photographer time on the day, and we all enjoy working with people we know and trust.

How is that an advantage to you?
Well, it isn’t. Because you don’t pay for this time!

It might actually be a disadvantage, because your photographer will be firmly in their comfort zone. And what do we do in our comfort zone? 

The disadvantages of having a photographer in their comfort zone

So your photographer knows your venue in and out. They know most of the staff. And they are squarly in their comfort zone.

So what happens when we get really comfortable?

We sit back and relax. We go on autopilot!

It’s not criticism, it’s just human nature! However, for something as dynamic as wedding photography, this can become a problem.

Because in photography, every day is a brand new experience!

Photographic skill more important than knowlege of the venue

Sorry for repeating myself, but: Every day is a brand new experience!

None of us have experienced all weathers, at every time of day, and in all seasons, at all the venues we regularly work at.

A photographer who knows how to (and is prepared to! ) work in all weathers, in all seasons, at all times of day and evening, will be instrumental in getting you great quality photos. 

Knowledge of the venue aquired during 5 sunny summer weddings does not help me get great images of your autumn wedding in a storm with fading daylight. Photographic skill will!

The questions you really need to ask your photographer

So here are the questions you should ask your photographer instead:

1. Do you know the venue? 
Yes, you still ask the question, but not to decide whether you should hire them, but to know how to ask the next question.

2. A question about the venue 
If the answer to number 1 is no: Do you check out venues before you photograph a wedding there? How do you get familiar with it and find the best photo spots?
If the answer to number 1 is yes: How do you make sure you are up to date with any changes at the venue? How do you decide what the best spots for our photos are?

3. Will you be able to continue photographing in inclement weather? How do you prepared for that?

My answers to the questions you should ask your photographer

1. To give you this answer, of course, I will need to know  your venue is.
I will be honest in my answer! I will tell you what I know or don’t know about the venue. And if I have worked at your venue or I have been a guest there, it will make it a little easier to discuss locations before I do a venue visit.

2. If the answer to number 1 is no: Yes, I make sure to get to know every venue before your wedding day. I always contact the wedding team at the venue and get their insights. Wherever possible, I will have a look around before your big day.

If the answer to number 1 is yes: Regardless of whether I have worked at your venue, or I have done my first venue visit a month ago, I will always do a walk around before I start photographing on your wedding day. During this walk I will narrow down my long-list of photo locations to the best-locations-list for that very day, taking into account the weather and lighting, flowers in bloom, construction work etc. and things you told me are important to you. 

3. I don’t mind the weather! My equipment and I come prepared with waterproofs and wellie boots (boots just for me, not the cameras) and lens wipes, so wherever you and your guests are, I will be taking photos. 

Why I like working at new venues

You didn’t see this coming?

And you wonder why anyone would want to go out of their comfort zone?

Maybe I sound like old Bilbo, but I like an adventure. So going to a new venue energises me.

Getting to see somewhere new makes me look for all the best photo opportunities with fresh unblinkered eyes.

I love meeting new wedding professionals to work with and get inspired by. And sometimes I meet old faces in new places, because wedding professionals cover vast areas. Who doesn’t enjoy bumping into an old friend unexpectedly.

Saying that, every wedding got something new and exciting, regardless of how familiar we are with the venue. So maybe we wedding photographers are just a particularly adventurous breed of photographer…

If you are still looking for a venue, you might like to see my photos from these beauties:

The Mill House in Berkshire – a summer wedding: it is exclusive hire and has a fabulous outside space, where you can get married. It is surrounded by fields, so a variety of photo opportunities depending on the season.

Stoke Place in Buckinghamshire: a dreamy venue with a large park and a beautiful lake!

Or check out my favourite outdoor wedding venues in Surrey.

You can get in touch with me, to find out whether I have worked at your venue before and/or whether I would like to photograph your wedding there by getting in touch via my contact page.

Speak soon! Happy wedding planning.

Bright blessings,

 Alternative Wedding And Handfasting Photographer UK and EU