Introduction: It’s Not You, It’s Bark (and the Costs!)

If you’ve ever used Bark.com to find a wedding photographer and didn’t get a response, you might be wondering—why? After all, the platform makes it super easy for couples to put out a request and wait for photographers to get in touch. It’s free, convenient, and promises to connect you with up to five professional photographers. So why does it sometimes feel like you’re being ignored?

The truth is, most photographers want to respond, but there’s a hidden cost that many couples don’t realize. Unlike you, who can use Bark for free, photographers have to pay just to get your contact details. And when we’re faced with spending money on an inquiry that may not lead to a booking, we have to think twice.

Let’s break it down and explain why you might not be hearing back—and more importantly, how you can improve your chances of getting the right photographer to respond.

How Bark.com Works for Couples

For couples, Bark.com is simple and easy:

1. You search for photographers in your area. You’ll see listings of local photographers and a form asking for your details.

2. You submit a request for quotes. It’s completely free for you, and you don’t have to commit to anything yet.

3. Bark sends a basic job listing to photographers. They can see some details, like the type of photography you need and the general location.

4. Photographers decide whether to respond. To access your contact details, they have to redeem credits, which they purchase in advance from Bark.com.

5. If all goes well, you get up to five photographers reaching out. You review their quotes, chat with them, and decide who’s the best fit.

It all sounds straightforward, right? It is—until you look at it from a photographer’s perspective.

The Hidden Costs for Photographers

Here’s the part most couples don’t realize: Photographers have to pay to respond to your request. And it’s not a small amount, either.

• Bark operates on a credit-based system. Photographers buy credits in bulk and then spend those credits to unlock contact details for potential clients.

• The cost per inquiry varies, but a standard wedding photography request typically costs 10 credits.

• Each credit costs around £3, meaning a single inquiry costs about £30 for a photographer to access and could be up to £56.

• Some jobs cost more, especially larger weddings or high-end photography needs.

This means that every time a photographer decides to respond, they’re making a financial gamble. If they spend £30 to reach out and never hear back, they’ve lost that money with nothing to show for it. If this happens multiple times, it quickly adds up to hundreds of pounds wasted.

Why a Photographer Might Skip Your Request

Because of these costs, photographers are very selective about which requests they respond to. Here are the biggest reasons they might pass on yours:

1. Missing Key Information (Like Your Wedding Date!)

One of the biggest red flags is a wedding request without a set date. If we don’t know when your wedding is, we have no way of checking our availability. Since Bark charges us just to find that out, we often won’t risk it.

2. You Haven’t Booked a Venue Yet

A wedding isn’t really confirmed until the venue is booked. Many photographers hesitate to spend £30 responding to a request when there’s a chance the date or location might change. If you’re still venue shopping, it might be better to wait until you’ve secured a location before using Bark.

3. The Job Details Are Too Vague

Photography covers a huge range of styles and needs. If your request just says “Wedding Photography,” that could mean anything from a full-day documentary-style shoot to a quick registry office ceremony. Without more details, we can’t tell if we’re the right fit—and again, spending £30 to find out is a big risk.

4. Your Budget Doesn’t Match the Photographer’s Pricing

Some couples are looking for a budget-friendly option, while others want a high-end luxury photographer. If we don’t know your budget range, we have no idea if we’re in the right ballpark. If our rates are £1,500 and you’re looking to spend £500, we’ve wasted £30 just to tell you we’re out of your price range.

5. We’re Already Booked or Too Busy

If a photographer is fully booked, they won’t spend money on inquiries they can’t take. Unfortunately, Bark doesn’t allow us to send a quick “Sorry, I’m unavailable” message without paying. That means if we’re not free, we just have to ignore the request.

How You Can Increase Your Chances of Getting a Response

The good news? There are simple ways to make sure more photographers want to respond to you. Here’s what you can do:

1. Be Specific About Your Wedding Details

Include as much information as possible:

• Your wedding date (or at least a rough timeframe)

• Your venue (or location, even if not booked yet)

• The type of photography you want (full-day, half-day, candid, formal, etc.)

2. Indicate Your Budget Range

Even if it’s just a ballpark figure, it helps us know if we’re a good fit. A simple “We’re hoping to spend around £1,000-£1,500” can save both you and the photographer valuable time.

3. Mention If You’re Ready to Book or Just Researching

Photographers appreciate honesty. If you’re just gathering quotes and not ready to book yet, say so! Some photographers will still reach out, while others might prefer to wait until you’re further along in the process.

4. Respond If a Photographer Contacts You

Even if you decide to go in another direction, a quick reply is always appreciated. It helps photographers know whether their £30 investment was worthwhile. A simple “Thanks, but we’ve chosen someone else” is better than silence.

Final Thoughts

Bark.com can be a fantastic tool for connecting couples with photographers, but it works best when both sides understand how it operates. If you don’t get responses, it’s not because photographers are rude or uninterested—it’s because they have to be strategic about where they invest their money.

By providing clear details, being upfront about your budget, and responding to inquiries, you can greatly improve your chances of finding the perfect photographer for your wedding.

So keep using Bark—but help us help you by giving us the information we need to make a confident decision to contact you!

* All prices above are estimated as prices change on a daily basis and varies depending on volumes purchased and daily discount offers but this is a close estimate for projects I’ve tendered for.