Finding a wedding photographer shouldn’t feel like a full-time job… but here we are.
With hundreds of photographers out there, how do you know who’s actually the right fit for you?
I’m here to help with that. Always remember to book your photographer well in advance to ensure the best possible outcome. Some people are booking out a year or more in advance. Great wedding photographers are a hot commodity; they fill up quickly, and the last thing you want is to pick a lousy photographer for a very meaningful day. I’m going to help you by giving you some questions and some things to think about before hiring a photographer. So let’s get into it!
What’s your style and approach? Do you help with planning?
This is the big one. You need to vibe with your photographer, not just their work, but their whole energy.
Start by stalking their website (we all do it). Do you love their photos? Like, want-to-print-it-out-and-hang-it-on-your-fridge love? Now ask them how they describe their style. Is it documentary, editorial, moody, light and airy, bold and contrasty?
Then, ask how they work on the wedding day. Are they hands-on? When I say hands-on, I mean literally. I have seen many photographers physically posing and touching their clients. It’s not to say it’s bad or not. Is it something that you would be comfortable with? Do you want hard-core posing like Vogue-pose-you-until-your-cheekbones-hurt? Or are they more fly-on-the-wall, capturing all the candid in-betweens? Some photographers combine all of these elements and more, so be clear on what you want! Neither is wrong — but you want one that fits your energy.
If you’re introverted or stressed by too many people in your space, find someone with a calm, fly-on-the-wall presence. If you’re hands-off and need someone to take charge, find a photographer who’s confident managing a group and doesn’t mind shouting, “Uncle Dan, please move to the left.”
That approach will affect how you feel throughout your day. And don’t forget to ask about editing — some photographers are big on retouching and Photoshopping, others (like me) prefer a natural look with just enough polish to make you look your best without turning you into a wax figure.
One thing to consider, depending on the size of your wedding, some photographers can be both wedding planner and photo savant. If you need help with planning, ask your photographer; chances are, they know how to do it, or they know the right vendors! Typically, your photographer will send you a moderately lengthy questionnaire to determine what things are left to be done and to know more about you and how they can help. Ultimately, this depends on what stage you’re hiring the photographer in. Some people hire the photographer first and then get all the other vendors last.
Are you insured?
This might sound boring — but it’s a big deal. Insurance is what separates the “I just got this camera last week” hobbyists from the real professionals.
If they say yes, ask them how much they’re insured for. If they fumble through that question, that’s your red flag waving in the wind.
Why does this matter to you? Well, venues often require vendors to be insured. Plus, if anything goes wrong (knock on wood), insurance protects you and your investment. So yeah… not sexy, but super important.
Let’s Talk Budget
Ah, yes, the money talk. Most photographers offer packages, so get clear on:
● What’s included, not everything will be listed directly on the website.
● Whether their packages are customizable
● How booking and payments work.
● How do photo albums work, are they customizable? Is it included in the price?
● And — bonus points — if they offer add-ons like albums, engagement shoots, or second shooters
You want clarity, transparency, and no surprises (unless it’s a surprise album delivered with cookies — we love that).
Do you work with an assistant or second shooter?
You don’t need a second shooter for every wedding — I shoot solo about 90% of the time. But it does change how your day flows.
If your photographer is working solo, timing has to be on point to get all the key shots — from both of you getting ready, to detail shots, to that just-before-the-kiss moment.
Also: the more people they bring, the more meals you’ll need to plan for (vendors gotta eat too!). Ask who else will be showing up — second shooter, assistant, videographer, entourage, etc. Know what you’re signing up for.
What’s your backup process?
No one talks about this enough — and they should.
Because yes, your photographer might absolutely slay on your wedding day… but what happens after that?
Do they shoot on dual card slots (so each photo is backed up while they shoot)? Do they back everything up to an external drive and the cloud? Or are they just crossing their fingers and hoping their laptop doesn’t crash? What happens if YOU lose your wedding photos after they’ve been delivered?
Can you imagine losing someone’s wedding photos? That’s not even a nightmare. That’s the end, boom career-ending – by Felicia!
Make sure your photographer takes this part as seriously as you do. When you’re going over the contract with your photographer, be on the lookout to see if there are any sections in the contract that go over archival interventions. It’s not uncommon for photographers to save all of their images to external hard drives and clouds. So if you ever lose your wedding photos, reach out to the photographer and see if they still have them. You might be charged a fee, but at least you’ll have them.
Who owns the photo rights?
Some photographers retain the copyright, meaning you can’t legally print or share your photos without permission or purchasing extra usage.
Others hand over full rights. Personally, I think you should have the freedom to print, post, and share to your heart’s content—so I always recommend asking this upfront.
Can I see a full wedding gallery?
This is where the truth comes out.
Everyone’s website is a highlight reel — but a full gallery shows you how a photographer handles an entire day, start to finish: prep, ceremony, portraits, candids, dance floor chaos, and even family formals. Want bonus points? Ask to see a wedding gallery from a venue that looks like yours. Not necessarily your venue — but one with a similar vibe, lighting, and layout. That’ll give you a better idea of what your day might look like through their lens.
Final Thoughts
This is such an exciting chapter — and one that deserves to be celebrated with your whole heart and a solid plan. So don’t skimp (seriously, Uncle Bob with a new DSLR is not the move).
Do your homework, trust your gut, and please don’t get wooed by too-good-to-be-true pricing. Because the only thing worse than a wedding hangover is realizing your photos look like they were taken on a potato.
Your wedding photos — aside from, you know, the actual marriage — are what last. They’re how you’ll relive the laughs, the tears, the not-so-subtle flower girl meltdown. So be picky. Be thorough. And for the love of good lighting, hire someone who gets your vibe.
Need help figuring it all out? Contact me — or risk ending up with blurry proof that your big day happened.
