How to Choose and Book a Wedding Photographer in Kent

Photography · Booking · UK law

Your wedding photographs are one of the few things you keep for decades, so it is worth taking time over the choice. This guide sets out what to look at, what to ask, and what UK law says about the service and the photos.

Start with the work, not the price

Ask to see complete galleries from real weddings, not just a highlight reel. A full gallery shows how consistent the photographer is through a whole day.
Look for weddings at venues similar to yours, especially if your venue is dark, small or mostly outdoors.
Decide on the style you want: documentary and unposed, classic and posed, or a mix.
Check reviews from several sources, and ask whether you can speak to a recent couple.

Professional bodies and qualifications

Membership of a professional body is not required to work as a wedding photographer in the UK, but it can be a useful signal. The Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP) is one of the largest professional associations for wedding and portrait photographers, offers recognised qualifications and runs a directory of members. Ask what any letters after a name mean, and still judge the portfolio.

Questions to ask before you book

Are you available on our date, and will you personally photograph the wedding?
What does each package include: hours of coverage, a second photographer, an engagement shoot, albums?
How many edited photographs should we expect, and how long will delivery take?
How will we receive the photos, and for how long will the online gallery stay available?
Do you have public liability insurance and backup equipment?
What happens if you are ill or cannot attend?
What deposit is needed, when is the balance due, and what is your cancellation and postponement policy?
Will you want to use our photos on your website or social media?

Get it in writing

A clear written contract protects both sides. It should list the date, hours, locations, what will be delivered and when, the price and payment schedule, and what happens if either side cancels. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, every contract for a service is treated as including a term that the trader will perform it with reasonable care and skill, so you have rights if the service falls short.

Who owns the copyright?

Under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, the author of a work is normally the first owner of the copyright, which for photographs usually means the photographer, even when you have paid for the shoot. In practice you receive a licence to use the photos, so check the contract says what you can do with them, such as printing and sharing online.

There is also an important protection for couples. Section 85 of the same Act gives a person who commissions photographs for private and domestic purposes the right not to have copies issued to the public, or the work shown in public, with limited exceptions. If you would rather your photos did not appear in a photographer’s marketing, say so and make sure the contract reflects it.

Planning a wedding near Maidstone? See our guide to Nettlestead Place and the surrounding area.

This guide is general information, not legal advice.