Getting married In France? - Here are some tips to help you find your photographer.

France is a stunningly beautiful country, featuring a myriad of incredible places to explore and picturesque sights to see. from Paris romanesque and romantics streets, to the vineyard around Bordeaux to the Cote d'Azur and Provence famous light, you name it. Due to its rich history and culture, it is often considered one of the most gorgeous destinations for crowing a couple’s love. But when planning such a grandiose event, among all the other aspects, you will have to consider hiring a wedding photographer in France who will capture the essence of your day with the utmost professionalism. In order to help you with this comprehensive task, I have hand-picked a list of highly-practical tips that I am positive will ease the process.

french wedding ceremony

French wedding ceremony at the city hall

Do not make it a last-minute task

You should begin your search for a wedding photographer in France as soon as you and your partner have decided on a date and booked your dream venue (if you are looking for some recommandations for wedding venues in the South of France, here's a little article about the 5 best wedding venues in Provence). Professional photographers like me can book up fast, so it is best to start your pursuit early to ensure you have your favorite ones available. However with the pandemic, it's not unusual for me to have now last minute availabilities, so don't hesitate to get in touch no matter the timing. Who knows?

Look for a wedding photographer with experience in your desired location

When planning a destination marriage celebration in France, selecting someone who has experience capturing candid couple portraits in your desired location is important. Some photographers specialize in certain areas of France, which means that they will be able to inform you about the most appealing locations to have your photoshoot. These hidden paradisical spots will often embellish your photographic memorabilia and make it flawless. That said, speaking for me, i'm very at ease and excited when i get to cover a wedding in a place i've never been before. That allows me to unleash my creativity more and to be very focus and aware of the surroundings. It very frequent that i go to work in a wedding venue i've never been before to and the afterward when the owner sees my pictures that are surprised to see their place in a different way. Because i was photografying with fresh eyes. For example this wedding i've photographed was my first time there.

Consider hiring a bilingual photographer 

If you or your guests speak a language other than French, hiring a bilingual photographer who can communicate effectively and assure everyone is comfortable will be particularly helpful. An English-speaking professional will also ensure that any instructions or requests are clearly understood and that everyone is satisfied with the outcome. This can help create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved. I'm a French native, but i'm pretty at ease with English and still have some Spanish skills to, some memories from when i was living in Mexico.

Ask for examples of their work, ask for their portfolio.

Another highly-applicable piece of advice is to examine the website of your photographer of choice before hiring their services. You should be able to find adequate examples of their previous work arranged in galleries and portfolio. Look through them and request additional examples of galleries of previous weddings they covered if interested in a certain photography style. This is very important to ensure that you will have your vision executed perfectly and that you share the same aestheticism. Feel free to check my portfolio.

Ask for references

If the wedding photographer you have in mind has a satisfactory portfolio, ask him if he can provide you with any past client's contact information. You can later get in touch with these couples and politely ask them to share their experience about working with them. Try to contact at least one other couple who has used this photographer's service before so that you are well-informed about the quality and level of professionalism they display. Or if you don't want to ask around make sure you can find Testimonials on the photographer's website or read Google reviews.

queer wedding in France

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

You should have a good feeling about the photographer's style, personality, and professionalism before you arrange a meeting to discuss prices. If you aren’t comfortable with them or have second thoughts regarding their work, move on to another candidate.

Contact them to set up a discussion if you like their style and presentation. This is where you will meet with your wedding photographer in person, ask any questions that may still be lingering, and get a more accurate feel for whether they will ideally fit your requirements. I have prepared a list of questions to ask them during your first meeting session: 

  • What kind of experience do they have shooting such events?
  • How many years have they been in business?
  • What kind of packages do they offer?
  • What's their turnaround time for delivering your photos after the celebration?
  • How many images do they typically deliver to clients? 
  • What's their editing process?
  • How much do they charge for a second shooter?

Once you get an answer to these questions, you will certainly be able to create a more precise portrayal of your photograph’s style and character. This will ultimately help you determine whether they are the optimal choice, or if you should continue your search for another candidate.

Consider your budget

Although it is crucial to find a wedding photographer in France who matches your style, it is also important to ensure that the cost of their services aligns with your allocated budget. Many photographers have different rates depending on how much time they spend photographing your special event and whether they offer any additional services. These include engagement shoots or post-wedding photo albums. Inquire to provide you with precise information regarding what is included in the requested price.

Think about delivery time 

Ask your photographer about the estimated time it would take them to deliver the final photographs. Some of them might be able to produce the images within a few weeks, while others may take longer. Make sure to discuss this with your wedding photographer and plan accordingly. For exemple i'm delivering my wedding reports and portfolios within 6 weeks after the wedding took place.

french wedding countryside

Wedding on the French countryside

Make a shot list

If you want any specific shots or groupings, it can be helpful to make a shot list and share it with your French wedding photographer. This will ensure you receive the candid images you want and help your photographer be prepared for the day. 

Focus on enjoying your day

Your special day should be a joyous and memorable occasion, which makes it important that you focus on enjoying yourself and creating lasting memories with your loved ones. Limit your exposure to stress and try not to preoccupy with making everything look flawless. Trust your wedding photographer in France to capture the special moments and let go of any perfectionist thoughts. Take a deep breath, relax, and soak in every moment of your special day.

I hope this blog post has inspired you to plan your own destination celebration, or at least given you a new appreciation for the planning process. And if you decide to go through with a destination wedding, please get in touch! I would love to be by your side for your big day.

Testimonials

Josefin & William

“Words cannot describe how happy we were to choose Romain for our wedding photography and the job he did was absolutely incredible! The photos were absolutely stunning but above all we were so happy with his presence and direction on the day, ensuring everyone knew what to do and that we got fantastic photos of everyone. He does stunning shots without staging or posing and we love his style of including many spontaneous shots and capturing little moments. I recommend him from the bottom of my heart, you will”

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