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How to choose your wedding photographer?

Wedding Photographer French Riviera

6 tips to help you select the right one

Tips from a wedding photographer to help you choose the photographer that suits you.

It is not easy to determine the ideal photographer for your wedding day. Here are 6 tips to help you:

 

1 - The style of the wedding photographer

Before you start your search, do you know the style that you want for your photos? There are different styles of wedding photography: fine art, moody, contrasting and many others… Each photographer has his own style : his universe ! 

Do you want a bright atmosphere? colorful? dark? contrasting?

I invite you to discuss this with your partner to determine what suits you the best. 

It’s important that the photographer’s style speaks to you, and corresponds to your expectations. Look at his portfolio and/or his social networks to see photos of previous weddings.

This first step will allow you to refine your selection and to contact photographers adapted to your desires. 

2 - The match between the three of you

First contact with a photographer is very important! You need to have a good match. He/she will immortalize the most beautiful day of your life, so you must feel comfortable in his/her presence (or it will show on your pictures). Set up a coffee date, or online, to get to know him/her. 

For my part, I make a discovery call to discuss the different stages of your wedding and to ensure that I will be the right photographer for you.

Since I only do 12 weddings a year, I also choose the weddings I want to do. It is important that your photographer is not a stranger to your wedding.  

3 - The experience of the photographer

Be careful with this point! A landscape photographer is not a wedding photographer!

You can’t improvise yourself as a wedding photographer, it’s a complex exercise that requires mastery of all lights.

We generally speak about 12 hours of service or more! Some weddings last 3 days so it’s very intense and you have to know how to keep the speed and not miss any great moment.

So make sure your photographer has experience in the field before booking him and ask him for a complete portfolio.

Also, does he do weddings because he wants to earn more or because he loves it? There will be a big difference in the final result of your photos. I advise you to take a photographer who is passionate and specialized in weddings. 

4 - Professionalism and foresight

Your photographer must be friendly, but also professional!

When you make your appointment, make sure he or she offers you a wedding contract and read it carefully. The terms of the contract vary from one photographer to another, so it is important to know exactly what you are committing to as well as the services you will be charged for. 

Foresight is also key! On D-Day, many unforeseen events can occur, so your photographer must be prepared and offer solutions (a backup camera, an alternative for the shoot if it rains etc.).

Too many brides and grooms don’t sign a contract because they use an amateur. The photographer may decide to take another wedding and you cancel his service for no reason a few days before the wedding (this happens often!)

Unfortunately, the reason is often financial: the amateur photographer has found a better service so the budget is important. We will also talk about the budget later. 

5 - Don't take a member of your entourage

Your sister is a photographer and you want to choose her for your wedding? I strongly advise you against it! Whether it is a family member or a friend and whether he or she is professional or not, I invite you to choose an outsider. A relative will never be 100% present as a photographer. The result will not be the same and your loved one will not be able to fully enjoy your wedding. 

Moreover, if it’s an amateur or a professional who has never done wedding photos, you may be disappointed with the result (see point 3 on experience). You have only one chance to have this day engraved in images. Even if your guests will take pictures, it will be nothing compared to a professional photographer outside your family.

6 - The budget

Finally, let’s talk about the budget! The pictures of the wedding are your final piece, it is the only thing that will remain of your magnificent day. These photos will be in your home, printed and framed on your walls. It is just as important as your wedding venue. It must be chosen among your first providers and not the last. 

You should not be afraid to invest in a good photographer, especially if you have a crush on his work. When you choose your photographer for his style, you must love him! I invite you to make an appointment with several photographers online or in person (depending on the distance) to see if it’s a good match and if he is motivated by your wedding.

If your budget is tight, there are small sacrifices that can be worth it: fewer guests at the table, a little less champagne or flowers in the decor.

Remember that you are paying for the photographer's style, experience and art, not just the technical work!

 A 500€ photographer is not going to offer you the same technical and artistic work as a 2500€ or more photographer. 

It’s a lot of money but it means a lot of work from the photographer, on location and in post-production. Depending on the photographer, we have a minimum of 1 full week of work after your wedding. Some retouch the skin with photoshop, others not.  Of course it will depend on what you want the look to be. 

Depending on the photographer you choose, you will receive valuable advice to make your big day picture perfect. These beautiful memories will also be for your children.

You are looking for a wedding photographer and you like my style? 

Contact me to see if there is a good connection between us! =)

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All WEDDING

Engagement Session on the beach of Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat

Wedding Photographer French Riviera

French Riviera shooting !​

For their engagement session, Chloé and Matthias start their day at the gates of Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat. The emblematic peninsula, the flower of Destination Wedding, the second dream haven for a wedding photographer whose place was once the refuge of artists. Nestled in the pine forest, it is distinguished by the presence of a plethora of sumptuous mansions. Thus crowned, it shows itself worthy of the splendor of the French Riviera and has nothing to envy to its close neighbor, the Principality of Monaco, a monument of pomp, located a stone’s throw away.

Engagement shoot at the foot of Villa Ephrussi

At the foot of the Villa Ephrussi takes place the interview of our lovers, the refinement of the Belle Époque is combined with an enchanting clarity. It is the dream setting for our bride-to-be whose delicate and sublime femininity, blooms in a bouquet of pastel shades. Chloe, in her vaporous dawn-colored dress, is reminiscent of those of ancient Greek goddesses. The undeniable presence of Monsieur is equal to the charm of his beloved. Ready to join her, Matthias has all the leisure to assert his elegance under my lens while waiting for his beauty.

A few moments later, Chloe nestled in the arms of her fiancé, smiles at his tender confidence. Eye to eye, they seem amazed, as if their passion has just been born. In the shade of the maritime pines, their complicity is a precious manifestation of the bond that unites them. As a professional wedding photographer, I capture the moment and I am the silent witness of their promises.

A couple sessions near the water...

Finally, the couple ventures to the water’s edge, where all the beauty of Cap Ferrat bursts with dazzling white beaches and the murmurs of the Mediterranean. In this azure and translucent water, the coves are dotted with marine criste.

Conquered, Chloe takes off her shoes to taste the warmth of the pristine sand. Barefoot, next to her future husband, her grace merges with the ethereal harmony of the place.

The bouquet

The bouquet made by Laetitia Ricci, floral artist, is a symbol of passion and commitment mixed, This exquisite composition of ivory, white and multiple shades of roses brings the ideal softness and refinement to the scene. Peach, powdery, dragee, fuchsia are revealed in a changing watercolor, allied to light. The whole thing is tied with a ribbon elegantly matched to Chloe’s dress.

When it is launched, the ruffles are lifted with lightness and take on a floral look. Peony, rose or lotus? Subtly wrapped in this tailor-made fabric by Marion Fera whose shades blend with her skin, Chloe seems to have been born by the Mediterranean.

Matthias, with his limpid eyes, wears a suit whose light color harmonizes with the marine limestone. In communion with the island of Cap Ferrat, he walks towards Chloé, joining her in silence, anchored and thoughtful. 

The last moments of this session...

This engagement session is coming to an end soon, as well as these hours suspended under the sun of the French Riviera.

While waiting to break the charm of this couple photo shoot, the lovers, all to their reveries, move away on the pier. This is how this beautiful summer evening ends.

Our beautiful team :

Photographer : Laura Gelfged

Host : Christophe Serrano

Wedding Planner : Laetitia Caroline

Wedding & Floral designer : Ricci Floral Creation 

Decoration Assistant : Pièces uniques location

Make-up : Amandine Poisson

Assistant Photographer : Matt Kobi

Fashion Designer : Marion Fera 

Suits:  Accord Parfait

Couple : Chloé & Matthias

Shoes : Bella belle shoes

Jewelry : Atelier Sarah aime & Shoko creation accessoires 

 

Would you like a photo shoot by the water on the shores of the French Riviera?

I will be happy to photograph you there! Contact-me here

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Copyright 2025 © All rights Reserved. By Laura Gelfged   -   Love is my road