As a Maryland wedding photographer, I’ve worked with a lot of couples who were on the search for the “right” wedding photographer. Chances are, you’re in the same boat. If you’ve never planned a wedding before – and most recently engaged couples have not – it can be really challenging to find a wedding photographer who checks all of your boxes… especially when you don’t know what those boxes are yet.

Hence, this blog. Here are 5 things I recommend doing to help you choose the right photographer for your upcoming wedding!

How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your Wedding

Step One: Figure out Your Photography Priorities

Before you jump on Instagram and start following local photographers, before you start saving inspiration to your Pinterest board, you and your partner need to sit down and figure out your priorities for your wedding photos.

What is most important to you? When you look back at your wedding photos, what do you want to see?

Some people want candids. All they care about are those in-the-moment photos where they and their guests are dancing and having fun. Others really value family portraits. They want intentional, posed, elegant photos that capture their entire family in one frame. Others (like me) really value fun, unique photos that capture the personality of the people in them!

Next, you need to consider what style you like! Do you want bright, true-to-color photos, or do you prefer the more muted, film-style photos? Try to find a photographer who edits in a style you like.

And lastly – but perhaps MOST importantly – think about the experience you want for your wedding. Have you and your partner been in front of the camera before? How comfortable are you posing for photos?

Most people are terrified to be in front of a camera, and that’s okay! Make it a priority to find someone who is experienced and personable. Someone who can help direct you and take some of the stress away from the big day. (Plus, you can always read my blog How To Feel Confident in Photos to help prep for the wedding!)

Step Two: Budget 

Once you’ve figured out (and written down!) your priorities for photography, it’s time to think about budget. When it comes to wedding photography, the old adage is true: you get what you pay for. 

If you only want to spend $500 on your wedding photographer, go for it. However, you may not have the experience or quality of work you were hoping for. 

Wedding photography is an art that requires a lot of time, energy, and equipment. When you pay a higher price for a wedding photographer, you’re not just paying for the end result. You’re paying for an experienced professional to help your wedding day run smoothly so you have images to remember for the rest of your life.

Take it from me… I decided to cut costs on my own wedding photography (this was before I myself was a wedding photographer). And I’m just gonna say it. I don’t like our wedding photos. I don’t enjoy looking back at them. I wish we had spent more money on a high-level photographer! And I wish we had found someone who would have given us the same experience I now give to my clients. 

I understand how important it is now. I didn’t then. Please, please, please learn from my mistake, do your research, and find a photographer who can give you the best of the best. 

Step Three: Stalk Their Galleries 

Here comes the fun part! Once you’ve found a few photographers that you like, it’s time to put those social media stalking skills to use. 

If the photographer has a website, find their gallery (or portfolio) page. This should be a page on their website where a big chunk of their photos are uploaded! These will, for the most part, be real people from real weddings.

Plus – you can literally always ask to see full galleries! Showing off their work is a photographer’s dream, so don’t be shy about asking for what you’re looking for. A full gallery gives you a more comprehensive look at your photographer’s style and approach. 

Once you have access to a few full galleries, you can really dive into their work and see if you like it! 

Here are some good questions to ask yourself while looking through their galleries:

• Do you like the way they edit color? Is it more vibrant, true-to-life, muted, or tinted? Which kind of editing do you prefer? 
• Do the poses look natural? For the couple’s portraits specifically, do they look comfortable or stiff? Could you see yourself in those same poses? 
• Do the couples they photograph look like you? Do you see photos of any couples that look like you and your lover? If you’re having a faith-based or cultural ceremony, has this photographer ever been part of something similar? 

This isn’t an end-all-be-all question, but it helps when your photographer knows their way around the ceremony or reception!

• Do they shoot digital or film? A few years ago, this question might not have mattered. But now, film is wildly popular, and I am SO happy about it. Film photos capture the moment in a way digital has never been able to replicate. Film is classic, dreamy, and nostalgic in all the best ways.

I offer an optional film add-on for all of my shoots and am so excited whenever I get to bring my film camera along! 

Step Four: Read All The Reviews You Can Find

Alright! After the last step, hopefully you’ve narrowed down your search! Now, we kick the stalking into high gear. It’s time to read reviews.

If you’re looking on social media, your photographer might have a highlight on their profile with client reviews. If you’re on their website, they’re likely scattered throughout the pages. But I think the best place to find reviews is on their Google, Knot, Zola, or Weddingwire profiles.

Pay attention to these reviews. Take note if different couples all mention the same thing, like the photographer’s professionalism, calming presence, joyful spirit, etc. And then ask yourself if that is what you’re looking for in your photographer. 

I pride myself that almost every review I receive mentions how comfortable the couple felt with me by their side. My favorite part of being a wedding photographer is helping people feel comfortable and confident! 

“Laura was AMAZING to work with. My fiancé and I felt so comfortable and relaxed which made our pictures come out so beautiful. Laura was the best hype woman and made us feel like movie stars too. Her personality and style are unique and her creativity is everything we wanted for our pictures!” – Ronya & Ryan

Step Five: TALK TO THEM  

This is the number one, absolute best thing you can do. Whether you have a few photographers left on your list or feel confident you’ve found the one, you need to talk to them.

Hop on a video call. See if you vibe! Do you enjoy talking to them? Do you feel confident in their abilities? Heck, will you enjoy being around them for 8+ hours on your wedding day?

Choosing your wedding photographer is picking the person responsible for preserving your memories. You need to feel good about the person you pick! Trusting your wedding photographer will alleviate a tonnnnn of the stress around your wedding day.

Plus, the right wedding photographer isn’t just a photographer. They’re a hype man, support system, calming presence, time tracker, and in-law defender. When you choose a wedding photographer you truly trust and vibe with, you can feel confident that they are in your corner every step of the way.

So, if you’re in Maryland (or not, I travel 😉) and you’re still looking for a wedding photographer, let’s chat. Your wedding is a big deal and choosing your wedding photographer is a big decision. Let’s make it a little easier, shall we?
Click here to get in touch. We can chat all about your priorities, budget, and more!