What No One Tells You About Picking a Wedding Photographer (But Should)
Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most emotional and personal decisions you’ll make during the planning process — and yet, it’s one many couples feel totally unprepared for.
I’ve had friends and colleagues go through this recently, and watching them try to make the right choice made me realise something:
Most people don’t actually know how to evaluate a photographer — and that’s completely okay.
You’re not expected to be an expert in lighting, posing, or editing styles. But you can learn how to trust your gut — and avoid a few common pitfalls.
Bear in mind I’m not a wedding photographer. I’ve never shot weddings and don’t plan too. What I have done is worked with professional models and non models to make portraits.
So here’s my guide, drawn from both my own experience behind the lens and real conversations with newlyweds, to help you find someone who’s truly right for you.
1. Start with How the Photos Make You Feel
This is the most important — and the most intuitive — step.
You might not be able to explain why something looks off. That’s fine. If an image gives you a strange feeling or doesn’t sit right, that instinct matters more than any technical breakdown.
If the average feel of the images makes you uneasy, even slightly — trust that.
2. Don’t Choose Based on a Single Standout Shot
It’s easy to get hooked by one jaw-dropping photo. But the truth? That one image probably isn’t representative of the rest.
Instead, look at the average. Go to their Instagram feed, website portfolio, or — ideally — ask to see a full gallery from a recent wedding. Zoom out and take in the whole collection. Would you be happy if every photo you received looked like that?
That’s the better question to ask.
3. Yes, Style Can Be Adjusted — But Don’t Expect It To Be
Photographers can tweak how they shoot… but you shouldn’t be counting on it.
It’s much better to find someone whose average gallery already aligns with your preferences. That way, you’re booking someone for what they already do naturally — not asking them to become something they’re not.
4. How Does the Photographer Use Light?
Scroll through a full gallery and ask:
Do the images feel too dark or moody?
Are they overly bright, airy, or washed out?
Everyone has different taste — but again, you’re looking at the average here. If it doesn’t feel right across most of the images, it likely won’t feel right when it’s your wedding being captured.
5. Pay Attention to Colour and Tone
Colour is emotional.
Do the tones feel:
Warm and inviting?
Cool and cinematic?
Harsh and edgy?
Muted and flat?
It’s not about what’s technically correct — it’s about what feels right to you.
6. What Subjects Do They Focus On?
Take a quick audit of their portfolio:
How many images are of people?
How many are objects (rings, shoes, table settings, balloons)?
Now calculate the ratio.
If 20% of their images are objects, and you get 500 photos back, you’ll have around 100 pictures of décor. If that sounds excessive, look for someone with a more people-focused portfolio.
I’ve made an example photographer gallery in the image below. If you scroll through just five rows (15 images), and three of them are objects, that already shows a 20% object rate. The shaded blocks below represent those object photos.
For me personally, someone who is all about the people shots, I still think this is far too high. I’d rather have less than 10%. It’s all about what feels right to you though
7. How Are People Cropped in the Frame?
This one’s subtle — but powerful.
Look at how the photographer composes their portraits. Are they mostly full-body? Tight close-ups? Three-quarter length?
Do the crops feel natural, or awkward?
Even without formal training, most people feel when a crop is jarring. If a foot is cut off or a head is uncomfortably close to the edge — it creates unease.
Also consider: Is there enough variety? Or do all the images feel the same?
Variety in crops helps create a more dynamic and interesting final gallery.
8. Consider the Emotional Timing
Some of the most powerful wedding photos come down to instinct and timing.
Does the photographer seem to consistently capture the right moment?
If you keep noticing expressions that feel just a bit off — like the laughter hasn’t quite hit or the emotion hasn’t fully landed — trust your gut. That timing makes all the difference between a good image and a great one.
9. Two Photographers Are Better Than One
First don’t panic, this isn’t double the cost.
A single photographer can only be in one place at a time. Having a second shooter dramatically improves your chances of capturing multiple moments — whether it’s walking down the aisle, throwing the bouquet, or the spontaneous laughter during speeches.
Many photographers already include a second shooter in their packages as standard. If not, the upgrade is usually modest compared to the overall cost of a photography package — and the value it adds is significant.
10. Avoid One-Person Photo + Video Packages
Your photographer should focus on photos. If someone offers to do both photo and video themselves, be cautious.
Capturing high-quality photos and video simultaneously is nearly impossible without compromise. And let’s face it — it’s your photos that get printed, framed, shared, and shown. Prioritise those. If you want video coverage, hire a dedicated videographer — not one person trying to juggle both.
11. Don’t Rely on “My Friend Has a Nice Camera”
Having a good camera doesn’t make someone a wedding photographer — even if they’re great at wildlife, sports, or portraits.
Wedding photography requires speed, awareness, and timing. The moments are fleeting, and you have to nail it first time. Plus, a friend attending as a guest simply won’t be able to focus the way a pro does. They won’t scout the location in advance, and they won’t be glued to the day’s schedule.
If you want great photos, hire someone who’s there just to take great photos.
12. Photo Booths and Disposables Are Fun — But Not Your Core Coverage
Photo booths and disposable cameras can be a brilliant addition to your day. You’ll get candid, silly moments and fun surprises. But they’re no substitute for full coverage.
Photo booths also lack context — the venue, the setting, the atmosphere. Years from now, you might look at one and wonder where was this taken? By contrast, a well-taken photo at your actual wedding venue tells a story. It captures not just who was there, but where, when, and why.
13. Ask for the Price List for Prints Up Front
Before you book, ask for the full print pricing list. Not just one or two examples — request prices for everything:
Canvases
Framed prints
Albums
Loose prints
Matted options
Even if you don’t think you’ll buy any prints, that might change once you see the photos.
Trust me — when you fall in love with an image, you’ll want to know your options. Surprises are great for gifts, not for hidden costs.
14. Don’t Print Them Yourself
It’s tempting to get the digital files and use a budget print shop. Maybe even slap a Snapfish book together. But if you do — just know what you’re trading away.
Great photographers test and calibrate their prints obsessively.
They know exactly how to turn the image on screen into a faithful, beautiful print on paper. This is no small feat.
Ever printed a photo from your phone and it came out looking too dark or muddy?
Exactly. That’s the difference.
You might think the cost of pro prints is high — but you’re paying for:
Archival-quality paper (thicker and more durable than any standard book)
Premium pigment inks that don’t fade
Precise colour matching
Prints and albums designed to last for decades, not years
And here’s the thing:
I’ve never met anyone who regretted ordering a photo book or high-quality print. Whether it’s a wedding, a baby album, or a family adventure — those moments, captured and printed well, carry sentimental weight that’s worth every penny.
If your photographer offers printing, ask to see samples. Feel the paper. Flip through their books. Once you do, you’ll see why they are better than a cheap supermarket print..
15. People Skills Matter More Than You Think
Let’s be honest — it doesn’t matter how technically brilliant a photographer is if you just don’t get on with them.
If something about their presence rubs you the wrong way, trust that instinct. This person (or team) is going to be with you for the entire day, often during your most personal and emotional moments. If they feel awkward to be around now, it won’t improve when there’s pressure.
And yes — they should be professional. But we’re all human. When there’s mutual respect and warmth, they’ll care more, go the extra mile, and capture better work.
It’s not just about you, either. A photographer who puts your guests at ease will get far better shots. People smile more, open up, and let their guard down when they feel comfortable. That kind of energy can’t be faked — and it shows in every single image.
Final Thought: It’s All About the Average
Throughout all of this, remember — you’re not booking a photographer for one image.
You’re hiring them for the hundreds of images they’ll deliver after the day is done.
So when you scroll through their portfolio, their feed, or their gallery — ask yourself:
“Would I be happy if this was my wedding gallery?”
If the answer is yes — you’ve likely found the right person.
If not, don’t second-guess yourself. Keep looking.
Your memories deserve someone who can match your vision.
This post is dedicated to Grace. It exists entirely because of a conversation surrounding which photographer she should go with. I realised after our conversation sometimes you need an impartial photographer to help explain the concepts you intuitively know but can’t put into words.