How to find the right wedding photographer for you

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding or elopement! Now is a time of excitement, joy, anticipation, and, oh yes... crucial decisions. 

Your wedding photos can become one of two things: cherished memories that artfully tell your unique story, or painful reminders you chose the wrong photographer. In this post, I want to help you make sure it's the first one.

Here’s my promise: If you follow these tips, you’ll have a better experience finding your ideal photographer and ending up with obsession-worthy photos.

1. Select your unique style

Not all photos are created equal… take some time to find out which type of photos you and your partner are drawn to. Here are some terms worth knowing to help you select your style:

  • These are the timeless classics. Think of photos where everyone is looking at the camera, perfectly posed. They exude a classic charm that stands the test of time. Most photographers, even if they lean towards a different style, weave in a touch of tradition into their collections.

  • Think Vogue... editorial photos are high-end and luxurious. This style features more curated moments. Intentionally-posed and not over-edited. They’re like what you might find in a magazine. Less movement based shots and more curated scenes with perfect framing, lighting, and expressions. Paying special attention to details like your venue, flat-lay setups, and table settings.

  • Here, it's all about capturing the genuine emotions and candid moments of your day. This style tells the story exactly as it unfolds, focusing on the raw and real. It's not about posing; it's about encapsulating the feelings and experiences. If you care about living in the moment and remembering how the day actually felt, this style might be a good fit for you.

  • Fine art photographers tend to be on the higher-end of the photography industry charging anywhere from $8,000-$12,000 per wedding. This style features perfect poses and bright editing. It feels sophisticated, elegant, and refined. With vibrant, true-to-life colors and impeccable poses, this style turns moments into art.

  • Like scenes from your favorite movie, cinematic photography captures how the moment felt with a storytelling approach. Soft lighting casts a nostalgic glow, amplifying the emotions captured in each frame.

Many photographers find a blend of styles they love and feel inspired by. Few adhere to just one, but knowing these style terms can guide you in finding a starting point or narrowing down your options.

TIP: Make a Pinterest board of your favorite wedding photos. Try to identify what they have in common. Do they feature candid, emotional moments? Are they more posed? Are you drawn to the editing and framing? Answering these questions will help you know what to look for in your dream wedding photographer.

2. Write down your must-haves

Knowing which photos you care about most and which parts of the day are most meaningful to you will be super helpful in looking for the right photographer!

Here’s what I mean: Do you value candid photos with your family and guests on your wedding day? Do you really want photos of your sparkler send-off? Or photos of you getting ready?

If you specifically love candids or detail photos, look for a photographer who heavily features them in their galleries. If you have a fun reception exit planned but also want getting ready pictures, you’ll likely need a package with around 8-10 hours of coverage.

All of these preferences will affect the type of photographer and package you choose. By getting clear about them now, you’ll have an easier time narrowing down who is the best fit for your specific needs.


Tip: When you think about your wedding day, which parts bring you the most excitement? Write those down and look for a photographer/package that accommodates those moments.

3. MATCH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER TO YOUR VENUE’S VIBE

Your venue will affect your photos in a massive way! The lighting (especially at night), the background, the exterior of the venue, and the colors inside (such as orange-ish wood walls, dark ceilings or flooring, stone, brick, etc.) all play a role.

Let’s say you love a moody styled photographer, but you book a shoot in a super bright and airy venue. Well, I can promise you one thing: you won’t get the look you’re hoping for. Alternatively, if you want a super airy and bright aesthetic on your wedding day, that style won’t work in a venue that lacks natural light.

That’s why you need to make sure the thing that attracts you to a photographer actually aligns with your venue.


Tip: It’s not if someone’s great, it’s when they are. So don’t expect a photographer to do their best work in their worst environment.

4. Ask the right questions

When you’re in the inquiry process, you could ask about a billion questions, and you’ll probably want to. While asking questions is great, it can sometimes cause more stress.

There are many pitfalls when it comes to planning, including not knowing what questions to ask, spending too much energy on peripheral details that don’t matter, and more. So, if you want to enjoy the process, focus your questions on the things that matter most.

    1. How would you describe your style, and how do others typically describe it?

    2. Is there any part of the day you won’t photograph or prefer not to capture?

    3. Our wedding will be at the beach, in a dark room, or at sunset. Do you have experience shooting in these conditions?

    4. Can we see an entire edited wedding gallery to get a sense of your work?

    1. What do your packages include, and are any components negotiable?

    2. How long after the wedding will we receive our photos? (Note: Faster doesn’t always mean better.

    3. What rights will we have to the photos, and what publication rights will you retain?

    4. Can you describe your backup plans for emergency situations, such as if the photographer gets sick or equipment malfunctions?

    1. Are guests allowed to have cameras at the wedding?

    2. What is your favorite part of photographing a wedding?

    3. How do you handle stressful moments during the day?

  • Which vendors do you most recommend to ensure the day runs smoothly? Can you refer us to any vendors?

Tip: The most important questions to ask are:

  1. How do you describe your style, and how would others describe it?

  2. Can we see a complete, edited wedding gallery?

  3. What backup plans do you have in an emergency (e.g., if the photographer gets sick, photo storing plan, gear breaking, etc.)?

5. Set a realistic budget

When it comes to cutting costs while planning a wedding, there are many great options you could choose to spend a bit less. However, skimping on your wedding photographer is never recommended. Your photo and video vendors can end up being one of your largest expenses and will affect the memories of your day for years to come.

Expect to find a professional wedding photographer to charge anywhere from $2,500 all the way up to $10,000 or more. Many offer different packages, all of which cover not only their time spent taking photos but also their equipment costs, experience investments (e.g., gifts, prints, website, branding, workflow, etc.), travel costs, editing time, and the education required to progress as a photographer.

All this to say, you get what you pay for! If you pay someone $100 for your photos, you will get photos that reflect that. If you pay an experienced wedding photographer $7,000 for your photos, you will get not only photos but also an experience reflecting that investment.


Tip: Instead of setting a fixed amount for how much you are willing to spend, try setting a range. This will help you find a good fit! You don’t want to find your dream photographer and find out they’re just outside your budget, so you can’t book them.

6. Make sure you trust them

This is probably the most important tip of all: You need to feel comfortable with your photographer and trust that they'll capture your day in a way you love.


Here are some things to consider:

  • A good photographer will take the time to understand what you're looking for in your photos. They will ask you questions about your style, your vision for the day, and your budget.

  • You should feel comfortable reaching out to your photographer with any questions or concerns you have. They should be responsive and helpful.

  • Read online reviews and ask around for recommendations. You want to make sure you're hiring a reliable and professional photographer.

  • This is subjective, but it's essential to feel like you can connect with your photographer on a personal level.

Tip: Pay attention to how you feel when you’re around them. If they see you as a walking paycheck, you’ll feel it. And if you’re the dream client they can’t wait to serve and exceed the expectations of, you’ll feel that too.

If you can answer yes to all of these questions, you might’ve just found your ideal wedding photographer.

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