When I first began wedding planning, I assumed that my wedding photographer was going to be the easiest vendor to choose. However, when Zane and I began narrowing down decisions, I quickly discovered that choosing my wedding photographer was actually going to be one of the hardest vendor choices.
As a destination wedding photographer, it's my job to spend months supporting my couples. From the day you book to well beyond your wedding day, I will be praying for you and over you. I value your experience working with me more than anything, and my goal is to truly become a dear friend who helps make your wedding day the best experience possible. So, I expected that my photographer would provide the same support and friendship.
But when you're looking at dozens of photographers who all have beautiful images, how do you actually choose?
Start with the style you love
Before you start comparing prices or packages, take some time to figure out what kind of wedding photography you actually love.
Do you love photos that feel candid and documentary? Are you drawn to editorial portraits?
Editing styles can vary dramatically from photographer to photographer, and you want to make sure you love the way their images look before you book. Pay attention to skin tones, greens, whites, blacks, and the overall warmth or coolness of their images.
Don't book a photographer hoping they'll edit your wedding differently than they normally do. Choose someone whose existing work already makes you excited.
Your wedding photos are going to become part of your home, your albums, and your memories for years to come. Choose a photographer whose work you can genuinely see yourself loving for a long time.
"Planning our wedding was the easiest part of the process! Michaela was communicative, responsive to questions, and so professional. We were amazed at the quality of our gallery and beyond thankful for the memories!"
Sarah & ryan
LOOK AT FULL WEDDING GALLERIES
This is one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give you.
Don't choose a photographer based only on their Instagram. Social media is a curated highlight reel. A full wedding gallery allows you to see how a photographer approaches an entire wedding day, including getting-ready photos, family portraits, and reception photos.
Look at photos taken in harsh sunlight, dark rooms, and everything in between. You want to know that your photographer can consistently create images you love—not just a handful of beautiful portraits.
One thing to keep in mind as you view a wedding photographer's portfolio and galleries: have realistic expectations.
Your wedding day will not look like someone else's wedding day, no matter how hard you try. The lighting, details, and people will all be different, so you cannot expect your wedding gallery to look like someone else's.
For example, if you want film photos and editorial portraits, you probably should look for a photographer who offers film photography and intentionally posed images.
This is where Instagram may be your friend! Since social media is a snapshot of someone's work, you can get a good idea of whether or not you'll receive editorial portraits, documentary moments, or film photography.
As a newly engaged couple, you might book your wedding photographer without asking for full galleries. As a destination wedding photographer, I've had couples browse social media and book without ever seeing a full gallery, but I've also had couples ask for galleries and then book.
Your journey and photographer choice will depend on how much you trust your photographer and how much research you want to put into your decision. Just because you don't see a full wedding gallery doesn't always mean your photographer isn't a professional or fully capable of documenting your wedding day. For some couples, a snapshot is enough to make a decision.
Talk to your top choices
When you're comparing photographers, it's easy to look at two packages and immediately compare the numbers, but there is so much more to consider.
How many hours of coverage are included? Is there a second photographer? Do they include engagement photos? How do they communicate with you throughout the planning process? How long is their turnaround time? Do they help with your timeline? What happens if something unexpected happens on your wedding day?
Two photographers can have similar prices and provide completely different experiences. You aren't just paying for someone to take pictures. You're investing in their experience, their approach, their time, and the way they care for you throughout the process.
Once you've narrowed down your list, schedule a call with your favorite photographers.
Ask questions. Tell them about your wedding. Talk about what matters most to you, and pay attention to how you feel during the conversation.
You don't necessarily need to find the photographer with the fanciest website or the biggest following. You need to find the photographer who feels like the right fit for you.
Think about what is most important to you when it comes to your experience with your wedding photographer. For example, Zane and I hopped on consultation calls with photographers to see if we connected with them, compare pricing and packages, and ask questions. We knew we wanted a photographer who included an engagement session in their wedding packages, so we made sure to ask about that during every call.
Ultimately, choose the photographer whose work, experience, and personality feel like the best fit for you.
next steps
If you're looking for a photographer who will do more than simply show up on your wedding day, I would love to be that person for you. From the moment you inquire, my goal is to make you feel supported, cared for, and confident every step of the way. I want to know your story, help you prepare for your day, and create photographs that feel true to the two of you. If my work and approach feel like the right fit, I would be so honored to hear from you and learn more about your wedding.