It’s a moment you’ll never forget – you’re standing under a beautiful canopy of lights, surrounded by all your favorite people, about to marry the love of your life. It’s pure magic, and it deserves to be remembered just as vividly as you felt it. That’s where your wedding photographer comes in.
Your wedding photos are one of the few mementos you will keep from your big day, so picking the right wedding photographer is critical. There are so many factors to consider when thinking about how to choose the right wedding photographer. It’s important to find someone who understands your style, your needs and your personality, not just someone who simply meets your budget. Here’s a complete guide to finding the right wedding photographer for your big day.
What’s Your Wedding Photography Style?
Before reaching out to any photographers, start by identifying the style of wedding photography that resonates with you. Each wedding photographer will have their own artistic flair, approach, and editing style.
1. Classic & Traditional
If you’ve always dreamed of timeless wedding photos that never go out of style, you might be looking for a more classic and traditional wedding photographer.
Classic wedding photographers will focus on structured portraits, elegant poses and clean framing. With a traditional photographer, you will tend to receive family group photos where everyone is smiling at the camera and refined couple portraits. Similarly, the editing will be natural and true-to-color with soft skin tones and balanced lighting.
This type of photographer is a great fit for couples who value those frame-worthy moments they can display in their hallway.
2. Photojournalistic/Documentary
If you pick a photojournalistic or documentary style wedding photographer, you’re picking a photographer who focuses on storytelling. These wedding photographers focus on capturing authentic moments as they unfold without interfering too much. Think of the tears in your dad’s eyes as he walks you down the aisle, and your maid-of-honor in a fit of laughter during her speech.
These wedding photographers specialize in capturing genuine emotions and unscripted magic. Their editing will be warm, natural and lightly enhanced to keep the photos authentic. If you value emotion and candid moments over more traditional staged shots, then a documentary-style wedding photographer might work best for you.
Related Blog: Why Consider Hiring a Photographer for Destination Weddings?
3. Fine Art/Editorial
Do you want wedding photos that look like they should belong in a magazine? A fine art wedding photographer might be for you; these photographers tend to take photos that look like part wedding photography and part magazine spread.
Stunning, stylized portraits from these photographers are often dramatic and intentional, with specific poses and framing. The editing might look dreamy, soft and film-inspired with a luxurious, artistic feel.
A fine art wedding photographer is a great fit for couples seeking a blend of storytelling and high-fashion elegance.
4. Dark & Moody vs. Light & Airy
Think of these terms in regard to the editing style, more than photography techniques. Even so, they make a big difference in how your images will look and feel when you receive them.
- Dark & Moody: Rich tones, deep contrast, and a cinematic, almost sultry feel. Great for golden hour portraits, woodsy elopements, or urban-chic weddings.
- Light & Airy: Soft pastels, bright whites, and slightly overexposed highlights that feel whimsical and romantic. Perfect for garden weddings or bright, natural-light venues.
When picking a wedding photographer, make sure to look at each photographer’s portfolio. Do you want bold and artistic photos, or something softer and ethereal? Your venue and the season will help guide the style of photos, too.
What to Consider When Choosing a Wedding Photographer
Once you have picked a preferred style, it’s time to consider other elements that go into choosing a wedding photographer.
1. The photographer’s experience
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you want to have the best possible day – and the best photos to remember your day, from start to finish.
How does your wedding photographer fit in? The more experience they have, the better they handle tough situations like tricky lighting, fast-paced changes or unexpected weather. Whether you’re tying the knot on a Seattle rooftop or a cozy Bellingham bar, you want a professional photographer who can adapt quickly and deliver consistently excellent results.
Hiring a professional photographer for your wedding ensures your memories are captured with skill and intention. So, how do you find a photographer who might be able to handle tricky situations?
Don’t just browse their highlights on Instagram. Reach out to the photographer and ask to see full galleries. Are the images sharp? How does the lighting look? Did they capture those sweet, meaningful moments?
What to Look For:
✔ Have they photographed at your venue or similar ones before?
✔ Can they handle different lighting conditions (harsh sun, dim receptions)?
✔ Are they confident shooting in real-time under pressure?
✔ Do their full galleries match your expectations?
2. Personality fit
Most couples don’t realize this, but during your wedding day, you are going to spend more time with your photographer than almost anyone else. From that early morning prep to golden hour portraits, your wedding photographer is there to capture it all. It really helps if you like them and their personality; their energy should match your own.
Is your photographer warm, calming and someone you would feel comfortable having around during emotional moments? Do they guide you without being overbearing?
The right wedding photographer will make you feel comfortable, supported, confident and camera-ready – even if you’re not a natural in front of the camera.
What to Look For:
✔ Do they make you feel comfortable during the initial consultation?
✔ Are they great communicators?
✔ Can they balance giving direction and letting you be natural?
✔ Do they have experience working with introverted or anxious couples?
3. Packages
Not all photography packages are created equal, and this is especially true for wedding photographers! Some photographers will include engagement sessions with their wedding packages, while others might offer a second shooter or full-day coverage. Other times, photographers might have strict time limits or charge extra for travel. Before agreeing to work with someone, ask for a full breakdown of what will be included so there are no surprises.
Remember: wedding photography is an important investment. You’re not just paying for a couple of photos, you’re also paying for peace of mind, professionalism and flexibility. If you’re curious about professional wedding albums, I talk more about that here.
What to Look For:
✔ What’s the price range (budget, mid-range, luxury)?
✔ How many hours are included?
✔ Is an engagement shoot part of the package?
✔ Are albums, prints, or a second shooter included?
✔ What are the fees for extra hours, travel, or expedited edits?
4. Professionalism
There’s no room for mistakes when it comes to weddings. A professional photographer will always have at least one backup plan in place:
Equipment failure? They have an extra camera.
Sudden illness? They’ve got a network of second shooters who can step in (this is critical, by the way – and here’s why!).
What to Look For:
✔ Do they bring backup gear (cameras, lenses, memory cards)?
✔ What happens if they have an emergency?
✔ Do they work with a second shooter or assistant?
✔ Do their reviews reflect professionalism, punctuality, and adaptability?
5. Contracts and Policies
Before working with a wedding photographer, make sure to always sign a contract. A professional wedding photographer will be sure to walk you through their terms (including turnaround times, copyright information and more). A contract may seem unnecessary, but in reality, it protects both you and the photographer; expectations will be much clearer this way.
What to Look For:
✔ What is the deposit and payment schedule?
✔ What happens if you cancel or reschedule?
✔ Are you allowed to print and share your images freely?
✔ How many images will you receive and when?
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer
Choosing the right wedding photographer can be tough; it’s not always easy to find someone whose style matches your vision and whose personality puts you at ease. Don’t focus on pricing alone – look for someone who offers consistently quality, great communication and a clear contract. With the right photographer, you’ll receive beautiful images – all while knowing your love story is in good hands.
As a greater Seattle-based wedding photographer, I love working with couples who want to capture their authentic love story artistically. If you want a wedding photographer who will laugh with you and cry with you and everything in between, all while documenting every beautiful detail, I’d love to chat.
Ready to find out if we’re the perfect fit? Let’s connect and start planning your dream wedding!
