A Photographer Bride: Quest for a photographer

So I got engaged in November 2025. I had the best photographer in mind that I was going to book for my wedding since I first saw her work. She is phenomenal and was my dream photographer. Unfortunately, she isn’t based in Johannesburg, and flying her up was not in the budget.

Family said to me find someone in Johannesburg. I thought it’s fine, wedding photography is such a saturated market I've been told, surely I could find someone in quite easily. This was not the case.

There are many talented wedding photographers.

I got tons of referrals from family and friends. The issue was either the price was out of budget, or the style was not what I was looking for.

This blog post isn’t about bashing anyone or the price of weddings. The photographers out of my budget are definitely worth what they charge, I just had the wrong idea of what the current rate for a photographer with the skills and experience I needed was, because I based it on what my rates for wedding photography were at the time.

For my 17 years of experience, I was charging what a slightly experienced photographer would charge, so my idea of cost was completely off.

I could have just gone with a cheaper photographer based on price alone but I didn’t because to me one of the most important venders is the photographer as they capture the physical memories of the day. This is bias as i am a photographer and a few people said to me i am being to picky as i am a photographer.

So i am glad i stuck to my guns haha because i also googled what are the biggest regrets people have with their weddings and the wrong photographer is one of the most common.

I kept looking for someone who was in my budget and had the style I wanted, which is similar to my own: in focus, colour-correct, and someone who poses their clients as well as captures in the moment photos.

Yes, I do understand that the trend at the moment is motion blur and very candid, in the moment photos with no posing and I get it. But as confident as I am behind the camera, I don’t have that same confidence in front of it.

I need someone to tell me, “Ash, turn slightly to the side… say something funny…” so that I actually smile and don’t sit with RBF because when I’m concentrating, that face is really not sexy.

I also have my own body confidence issues, which became even more obvious when I went wedding dress shopping. Wow… that was a confidence killer in its own way.

But my point is, the photographer shouldn’t be the cheapest item on your budget. This is one of the only physical memories you’ll have to look back on from your day.

I never did weddings full time and never used to advertise them, even though I shoot about five a year as Clients only trusted me to do their photography so they would request wedding.

So through this journey i have been on and more clients every year asking if i do weddings i now offer wedding photography as part of my packages and have dedicated a full site just to weddings. My first photography site is www.ashkphoto.co.za

Wedding Photographer Tips:

1) You like (or love) their work

This is the most important. If you don’t like their work, don’t book them.

2) You get along with them

This person is with you the entire day. You need to feel relaxed around them.

3) Book within your price range

Figure out what you’re willing to spend. Ask for referrals in that range, look at portfolios, and choose the best one you can afford.

4) Do an engagement shoot first

Once you’ve found someone you like, do an engagement shoot and see if you gel. This is where you’ll see how they work and if you’re happy. Rather test it here than on your wedding day.

So in closing, after a lot of searching and looking, I’ve found a photographer whose work I like. Now let’s see how the engagement shoot goes :) Look out for the blog post on that in June :)