5 Things to look for when booking your wedding photographer

There are so many steps to planning your wedding (although you didn’t need me to remind you of this), and you are constantly bombarded with information and other people’s opinions on how it should look and run. While I don’t have advice on every aspect of wedding planning, I can definitely guide you on how to pick your photographer!

Why is it important to even have a photographer for your day? That’s a great question—one I wish I had thought more about for my own wedding. We got married in a very intimate way: only our parents, siblings, and best friends were there. We were on the beach and ended up renting a house for everyone to stay in so we could make a weekend of it. It was the best wedding I could have ever asked for. HOWEVER, I regret not having a photographer for the day of. Don’t get me wrong, I had someone use my camera during the ceremony and take some family pictures afterward. We even got a couple of solo shots. I LOVE the photos we did get, but I do wish we’d had someone with an eye for the field. I also wish I hadn’t had to edit my own pictures.

All that to say, no matter how small your day is, make sure you’re capturing the moments to live on forever. The person you choose to do this MUST be the right fit. It can be daunting, but if you use these five tips, you’ll find it much easier.

1. Personality Matches

It may seem silly and obvious, but you want to make sure your potential photographer has a personality that complements yours and makes you feel comfortable. This doesn’t mean you need to find your new best friend, but your photographer should be friendly and approachable. During my consult calls, I make an effort to tell jokes and get my potential clients laughing, helping them feel relaxed and comfortable right from the start.

You should feel at ease expressing your expectations and needs, knowing your photographer is willing to accommodate them. For example, I once had a bride who shared that her partner felt incredibly uncomfortable in front of the camera and they wanted to keep posed shots to a minimum during their wedding. On their big day, I reassured her that if anything I did felt overwhelming or inauthentic, she could let me know immediately. To ease the tension during posed sessions, I cracked jokes to lighten the mood, and those candid, joyful moments turned into some of the best shots of their day.

My point is: you need to trust your photographer. This trust allows you to feel confident that they’ll honor your wishes and keep the focus on making your wedding day uniquely yours.

2. Budget

Yet another point that feels obvious, but it’s worth a reminder while you’re searching for your perfect photographer: make sure they’re within your budget! Wedding photography is a highly saturated field, with prices all over the spectrum. The good news? There’s someone out there who won’t make you sell a kidney to afford their services.

Many photographers offer payment plans to make their services more accessible. It’s unreasonable for us to expect you to pay a large chunk of money up front, especially in today’s economy. Most photographers require a retainer fee to reserve your date and cover the time spent planning your wedding, with payment plans available for the remaining balance. For example, I work with my clients by asking for 50% of the total cost within three weeks of signing the contract to reserve their date, and the remaining 50% is due the day after the event. If the initial 50% upfront is a challenge, I’m always happy to offer alternative plans that better fit their budget.

Keep in mind, not all photographers operate this way. Everyone has their own approach to managing the financial side of their business based on their experience. The key is finding a photographer whose payment structure works for YOU and your budget.

3. Style

No two photographers are the same. We all see the image through our viewfinders differently. Some photographers lean towards true-to-color edits, while others prefer darker tones or timeless vintage aesthetics. Most photographers showcase their work on their website or social media profiles. (It’s often better to trust those with websites, as they typically provide a more comprehensive portfolio than social media alone.)

What do you envision your wedding day to look like? What style do you want your memories captured in? My personal style leans more towards darker vintage tones with plenty of candid moments and a mix of posed shots.

When researching photographers, make sure you choose someone whose style aligns with your vision. It can be a major headache if you select someone with a vastly different aesthetic from your preference and receive a gallery that doesn’t meet your expectations. For instance, I’ve had clients tell me, “We don’t have a preferred editing style, just make us look good!” While I’m happy to embrace the creative freedom, I always ensure they’re aware of my typical editing style and vision before moving forward. This ensures we’re all on the same page and eliminates any surprises.

4. Experience

As mentioned earlier, the field is incredibly saturated with photographers varying widely in experience. Do you want someone with 15+ years under their belt? This can be highly beneficial since they’ve (hopefully) seen it all and know how to handle any situation. However, keep in mind that this level of experience often comes with a higher price tag.

On the other hand, newer photographers may still be building their portfolios and might offer more affordable rates. Personally, I photographed my first wedding in 2023 and have been growing steadily ever since. In the two years I’ve been in the field, I’ve learned a great deal and have structured my pricing to reflect my experience while acknowledging that I’m still learning.

You need to decide what matters most to you or even find someone in the middle. It’s crucial to ensure your photographer is upfront about how long they’ve been doing the job. This helps you gauge their ability to handle the day’s logistics and surprises—not just their skill in the art of photography itself.

5. Reviews

This one could be the tipping point in making your decision. Past clients’ experiences can really tell you what to expect when it comes to your photographer. You can find reviews on someone’s Facebook page, their website, or even Google reviews. Don’t just look at the 5-star ratings; take the time to read lower ratings (if any) to understand potential concerns or limitations.

Don’t be afraid to ask your potential photographer about any less-than-stellar reviews you come across. Opening up this conversation fosters better communication and can encourage some vulnerability on their part. This might even lead to a stronger, more trusting working relationship throughout the long wedding planning process.

For myself, I’ve found it challenging to get clients to fill out feedback forms after their weddings. Most of my available reviews are from family sessions and smaller jobs I’ve done throughout the year. If someone were to ask about past client experiences, I’d be honest and let them know I’m happy to reach out to previous clients for direct quotes if needed. That said, it’s a rare ask, and most couples feel confident moving forward based on the information I provide upfront.

Wedding planning can be a massive headache, especially when you’re unsure of how or where to start. I suggest finding a planner who can guide you through the process or leaning on a trusted family member or friend who’s willing to help. Pinterest also has some great checklists if you’re tackling it on your own.

I wrote this post to help with one small portion of your event. Of course, all advice should be taken with your unique needs in mind—only YOU know what you’re truly looking for.

I can’t wait to meet you and work with you!