With 14 years of professional photography experience, I have put together this article about how to hire a wedding photographer to help couples know where to start and what to look for. Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most meaningful decisions you will make while planning your wedding day. Long after the flowers fade and the table settings are packed away, your photographs will remain, telling the story of how the day felt, who was there, and how you experienced one of the most important chapters of your life.

For couples who value art, intention, and a seamless experience, hiring a wedding photographer is about far more than finding someone who takes “pretty photos.” It is about finding an artist you trust, someone whose vision aligns with yours, and a professional who understands how to guide a wedding day with care and confidence.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the process thoughtfully so you can choose a photographer who not only captures your wedding beautifully, but enhances the entire experience.

Why Your Wedding Photographer Matters More Than You Think

Your photographer is the one vendor who will be with you through nearly every moment of your wedding day. From the quiet anticipation of getting ready, to the emotional exchange of vows, to the energy of the dance floor, they are with you through it all.

Because of this, your photographer influences more than just your photos. They shape how calm or rushed the day feels, how comfortable you are in front of the camera, and how present you are able to be in each moment.

The right photographer does not just document the day; they protect the experience.

Start With How You Want to Feel on Your Wedding Day

Before you look at a single portfolio, start by asking yourself a simple but powerful question:

How do I want to feel on my wedding day?

Do you want to feel relaxed and grounded? Gently guided but never rushed? Fully immersed in the moment, trusting that everything is being handled?

Now take that one step further:

How do you want to be seen?

Do you envision timeless, editorial images that feel refined and artful? Romantic photographs filled with soft light and movement? Or images that feel chic, modern, fun, and maybe a little undone?

The answers to these questions will help you identify photographers whose approach aligns with your vision long before you start comparing services or pricing.

You can use tools like Pinterest, Instagram, and blogs to gather photos that stand out to you and put them on a mood board. What do you like about them? What do they have in common? What feelings do they evoke? Once you have an idea of what you like it will help you narrow down what you search for in a photographer.

Finding a Photographer Whose Style Matches Your Vision

Photography style matters, especially when it comes to how your wedding day is ultimately remembered. Each style plays a big role in the overall feeling of the photos.

Here are some common terms that can help you when you are looking to hire a wedding photographer.

Light and airy photography: Soft tones, lighter shadows, bright images, and a romantic, ethereal feel.

Dark and moody: Deeper shadows, richer tones, and dramatic contrast. This style generally evokes an edgier feel.

Fine Art photography: photography created as an artistic expression rather than just documenting the event. It focuses on emotion and a narrative that goes beyond mere reality. It often looks painterly and has true-to-life colors.

Direct Flash: This look is most often thought of as paparazzi-style photography. It is dramatic with strong directional light that falls off quickly making the subject the sole focus. It can be very fun, energetic, and modern.

None of these styles is better than the other, but one will likely feel more like you.

When evaluating a photographer’s work, ask yourself:

• Does this style enhance the feeling I want my wedding to have?
• Can I imagine myself in these images?
• Does this aesthetic complement my venue and design choices?

Your photographer’s style should elevate your vision, not fight against it.

Understanding Photography Approaches: Documentary vs. Guided

Every photographer approaches a wedding day differently, and it’s essential to understand what style of guidance feels right for you.

Documentary / Fly-on-the-Wall Photography

This approach focuses on capturing moments as they unfold naturally, with minimal intervention. Photographers who work this way prioritize authenticity, emotion, and storytelling.

This may be ideal if you:

• Prefer not to be posed
• Value candid moments above all else
• Want your day documented exactly as it happens

Guided / Art-Directed Photography

Other photographers take a more hands-on approach, gently guiding you through portraits, offering direction when needed, and helping shape moments so they photograph beautifully—without feeling stiff or forced.

This may be ideal if you:

• Appreciate structure and gentle leadership
• Want to feel confident knowing where to stand and what to do
• Value editorial, refined imagery alongside candid moments

Neither approach is right or wrong. The key is choosing a photographer whose method aligns with your comfort level and expectations. Although, I will add that a lot of people say they want truly candid moments when referring to an image that started off posed (which is actually a sign of a good photographer).

You can love someone’s work and still know they are not the right fit, and that’s okay.

Your photographer will be present for intimate, emotional moments. You will want someone who feels calming, reassuring, will get excited with you and who is genuinely invested in your experience. Someone who shares your vision and whom you can trust completely to capture the day in the way that you want to be seen.

I would highly recommend doing a video call with your photographer or meeting them in person so you can get a sense of their personality and how they work.

When you connect with a photographer, ask yourself:

• Do I feel comfortable talking to them?
• Do they listen thoughtfully to what matters to us?
• Do they seem organized, confident, and prepared?
• Are they warm and professional?

You are looking for someone who feels like a steady presence rather than an added source of stress.

Trust your instincts here. Connection cannot be forced, and it makes a profound difference in how natural and authentic your images feel.

Reviewing Portfolios: Look beyond the highlight reel

Instagram is a wonderful place to discover photographers, but it is only a starting point.

A carefully curated feed shows a photographer’s best moments, but it does not tell the full story of how they handle an entire wedding day.

When hiring a wedding photographer, it’s essential to:

• Review their website portfolio
• Ask to see multiple full wedding galleries
• Look for consistency in editing, lighting, and skin tones
• Do you like the way they tell the story of the day?

Pay attention to how they photograph:

• Getting ready
• Family dynamics
• The Ceremony
• Reception spaces

Consistency is a hallmark of an experienced professional and show that they did not just luck into an amazing shot.

Experience over familiarity: Why Your photographer does not need to have photographed at your venue.

Many people choose a wedding photographer who has worked at their venue before for a couple of reasons…

• It is easy to visualize how they would capture your day and gives some peace of mind.
• It shows how they handled different lighting situations at your venue
• They know the rules of the venue
• And they know their way around.

However, if your photographer has not shot at your venue before and you love their work, that does not mean they are not a great fit. Ask to see a full gallery (or two) from a similar venue or weddings with a comparable aesthetic. This demonstrates their storytelling abilities, technical skill, and consistency, which is far more important than a single location credit.

A skilled photographer can walk into any venue and create beautiful, cohesive imagery, especially if they take the time to research and work with you/ your planner ahead of time.

Collections, Offerings, and Personalization

Photographers can take different approaches when it comes to pricing and offerings. They can offer collections that have a fixed amount of coverage and deliverables, or they can offer personalized à la carte options. I personally use a hybrid method as I value flexibility and intention over one-size-fits-all collections. The collections I offer act as a starting point, giving a comprehensive idea of what kinds of services most weddings would need and prices you can expect to pay; however, after I speak with my couples and get a full picture of their needs and vision for the day, I work with them to put together a custom proposal that gets them exactly what they need. This approach gives you a deeper level of service and care, ensuring your photography experience feels aligned with your priorities.

As you review a photographer’s offerings, consider:

• Do their collections feel thoughtfully designed?
• Are you paying for things you actually value?
• Can coverage be tailored to your day?

Questions Worth Asking Before You Book

When speaking with a potential wedding photographer, meaningful questions can reveal far more than pricing alone:

• How do you approach guiding couples on the wedding day?
• What do you do to ensure our day goes smoothly?
• How do you work with clients to bring their vision to life?
• How do you handle timeline changes or unexpected moments?
• How do you protect our images?

Their answers will give you insight into their philosophy, experience, and how they show up for their clients.

Trust Is the Foundation of Beautiful Photography

At its core, hiring a wedding photographer is an act of trust.

Trust that your wedding photographer sees you. Trust that they understand what matters. Trust that they will honor your story with care, artistry, and intention.

When that trust exists, something remarkable happens: you relax. You let go. You become present.

And that is when the most beautiful photographs are created.

Final Thoughts: Hiring a wedding photographer who aligns with your vision

Your wedding photographs should feel like a reflection of who you are, how your day unfolded, and what mattered most.

When you hire a wedding photographer whose style, approach, and presence align with your vision, you’re investing in more than images; you’re investing in an experience and protecting your peace on one of the most important days of your life.

Take your time. Ask thoughtful questions. Look beyond the surface.

The right photographer will not just capture your wedding day; they will elevate it.

You can find out more about how I approach wedding photography here: https://dubayphotography.com/experience#experience