10 Things to Look f0r when Choosing a Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer is a big decision and with so many photographers with different prices, styles, and personalities. It’s important that you choose the right fit for you. After all, your photographer is basically your professional third wheel with a camera ;) we follow you around all day long. You want a photographer who can capture your day well, with kindness, professionalism, artistry, and responsibility. So here are my tips for choosing a wedding photographer.

Look for a photographer who…

Edits true to life and color

I know photo editing goes through phases and trends change all the time. I remember when desaturated greens, and orange skin tones were in. And I know so many people who loved that style when it was popular, and chose a wedding photographer because of that editing style. And now they wish they would have considered someone different. Trust me you do not want to look at your wedding photos years down the road and wish they looked different. The colors and edits on your wedding photos are so important. When you look at your wedding photos, they should look like they did in real life. This makes your photos look and feel timeless. You won’t wish for something different later on, after all these photos will be shared for years and years to come.

Delivers consistent beautiful work

Do you like all the work the photographer delivers, or do you feel like some sessions look better that others? Do they consistently edit the same way or are they changing up their style constantly? While every wedding will look different, a good photographer should be delivering consistent good and beautiful work. You should be receiving a gallery that reflects the rest of their work.

Backs up their images with extreme care

Have you ever heard the horror stories of photographer’s SD cards corrupting? Their computer getting stolen with all your photos on it? Their hard drive falls on the floor and the photos disappear? As much as we’d love to think those things would never happen. they do. And yes technology will fail us, and sometimes it is absolutely unavoidable. But photographers can take steps to make sure your photos are as safe as they can be. And the crazy thing is, when I get inquiry client calls and I share my backup process, every single time my clients have said “Oh I didn’t even think to ask about that”. So when you're looking for a wedding photographer, ask all about their back up process and make sure you feel confident in it before hiring them. You want your photos safe!

Delivers their images on time

When searching for a wedding photographer you want to know your photos will be delivered within the timeframe they say they will deliver. Photographers all have different delivery times so make sure you know the time it takes for your photographer to deliver your images. I used to promise a 6-8 week delivery time, but after becoming a mom I knew that wasn’t realistic. Especially during busy season. So I promise 8-10 weeks and I’ve never delivered a gallery past my promised delivery time. I know that seems like a long time to some but editing takes so much time. You don’t want someone rushing through your photos, but you also want to know your photos will be delivered in the promised time frame and you're not waiting way longer for your images than you should be! You can look at reviews to see if your photographer delivers in a timely manner or ask past clients if you know any who have worked with your photographer.

Is confident in posing, captures candids well and works great with different lighting

Your photographer should be confident posing in lots of different situation, as well as capturing flattering and authentic candids. It’s so important to look through multiple full galleries to get a good grasp on their work and how they capture the day. You also want to make sure your photographer frames their subjects well, straightens horizons and includes black and whites of some images. And that they are comfortable working in different lighting scenarios. Do the photos photographed hash light, with flash, in indoor lighting, sunset, dusk, all look good? If your wedding is being photographed in a dark church, ask to see photos in those lighting conditions so you can get an idea of what your photos will look like.

Is up front about their pricing

Personally I post my wedding pricing on my website. I don’t like having to do the run around to find out pricing, and I don’t think my clients should have to do that either. You also need to be aware that some photographers add additional costs for releasing full galleries. Some photographers include prints, some don’t. Just do your research.

Includes engagement sessions in their packages

on your wedding day you already have so much going on, so many new faces around. You want your photographer to feel like a friendly face and feel comfortable with your photographer so that you feel comfortable infront of the camera. I highly recommend finding a photographer who includes an engagement session in their package. This way you get to meet your photographer before the wedding day. You get to basically have a practice session in front of the camera. You’ll get used to the way your photographer poses or prompts, and get to know each other. It’s also nice to have other cute photos of you as a couple in a more casual setting. Just having fun and enjoying each other without all the wedding day hustle and bustle. Plan a date day, go do something fun, and bring your photographer along for the ride.

Has a personality that works well with yours

if you are a quiet and more reserved couple, you may not want a photographer who is loud and super energetic. Or you might want just that to help pull you out of your shell. If you're a wild and free spirited couple you might not want a quiet and reserved photographer. It’s totally preference. Your photographer is with you all day long on your wedding day. And you will be feeling all the feels and emotions. You want a photographer you can be raw and emotional infront of. I find that if you like them as a person, that a lot easier to do. I highly recommend scheduling a zoom call at the very least or even better, meet your photographer in person before you book with them. Get some FaceTime. This will help you guys get a good feel for each other and see if you’re a good fit.

Delivers your gallery in easy and accessible way

I deliver all my galleries through a gallery website called pic-time. It has an easy to use app and website to download web sized and high-resolution versions of your photos and I give access to that gallery for a year. So you have plenty of time to download your photos in multiple places for safekeeping. Some photographers deliver flash drives, some deliver very short term access to a gallery site. Ask how your photos will be delivered and how long you have access to them.

Puts their client first

Wedding days are so jam packed, the timelines are tight, and there are a lot of hands involved. When looking for a photographer you want one who will put the bride and groom first above everyone else. You want to look for a photographer who will put your needs and hopes for the day as a priority over all else. I’ve experienced a lot of over bearing mother in laws that want to control the day, bad coordinators who don’t leave enough time for the most important photos, random second cousins jumping into family photos when they weren’t invited. You’ll want a photographer who can lead the day and prioritize the couple over anything. Look at reviews, see what others say, talk to them, you can judge whether or not they will be for you on your wedding day. Do they ask a lot of questions about you guys as a couple, your story, really try and get to know you? If they are viewing you as a unique couple with a story tell, and not just another client, that’s a good indication they truly will care for you most of all on the big day.

Looking for a wedding photographer is so hard, there are so many things to consider. But I hope these tips will help you pick a photographer who is the best fit for you and you end up with stunning photos you love at the end of it all! And hey if you think I might be that girl, shoot me an inquiry! I’d love to work with you! Congratulations on your engagement and happy planning!

Tori Dawn is a Northern California Photographer photographing in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Carmichael, Roseville, Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Davis, Rocklin, Woodland, West Sacramento, Lincoln, Auburn, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Galt, Granite Bay, Orangevale, Placerville, El Dorado Hills, Dixon and beyond. Discounted travel to Southern California for weddings (Temecula, San Diego, Riverside, Orange County, Redlands, and more…) Flowers by @belovedsparrowflorals

Isaac + Sheila | Intimate Mountain Wedding

When I met Isaac and Sheila at a coffee shop over a year before their wedding I knew I was gonna be a big fan of them. Their giddiness, kindness and sweet love they shared for one another won me over instantly. I knew I wanted to capture their day pretty much instantly and was honored when they told me at the end of the meeting that they wanted me there as much as I wanted to be there to photograph it. Their wedding day was so intimate, slow paced, and absolutely beautiful. They chose to only invite their closest family and best of friends to attend the celebration of their marriage at Willow Woods Park in Lake Arrowhead California and it was the perfect venue for the occasion. Surrounded by pine trees, it was a misty day and 70 degrees. Sheila got ready at a near by A-frame cabin style airbnb with just her bridesmaids and her mom and dad. It was such a cute spot for those getting ready photos and had beautiful light and lots of windows. We then traveled to their venue to do a first look and Isaac was absolutely melted by his bride to be. Their exchange of giggles and wide eyes and excitement for the day was sweet as can be.

Their ceremony took place among the trees under a floral arch. Fun fact, all the florals from the day were artificial, as the bride and groom were trying to be mindful of their budget. I was amazed by the floral quality because from the photos you’d really never know and they beautifully enhanced the venue and their photos. If you are a bride on a budget I’d highly recommend considering faux florals to save money. Sheila bought her bouquets from Etsy, here’s a link if you're interested in looking at the shop the bride purchased from: FYNWFlowerStudioUK (Arch by Handwork Customized). During the ceremony the bride and groom exchanged vows and washed each others feet before becoming husband and wife. The bridal party photos were super fun and I loved when the groomsmen decided to throw the groom around for the photos haha. They even wanted a photo with their photographer 🥹 so you’ll see a photo of the girl behind the camera in this gallery 🤭. For their portraits Sheila and Isaac wanted to be able to take their time and enjoy their portraits without their pressure to return to the reception so they opted to take their portraits after the wedding celebration was over. We headed down the mountain to a field that just started a summer bloom just at the base of the san Bernardino mountains. Sheila and Isaac also brought along a Polaroid camera so we took some shots with that throughout the portrait time as well. Their wedding day was just the sweetest and it was an absolute joy and honor to capture this couple and their love for each other. Love you Sheila and Isaac.

Kate + Kevin | Northern California Festive Backyard Wedding

Kate and Kevin’s wedding day was filled with laughter, colorful flowers and decor, disco balls, crazy dance party, and cookies and milk toasts. To say this wedding was fun, is an understatement. Kate and Kevin filled their day with personality and whimsy. The decor was stellar, the almond orchard ceremony was beautiful, and the cookies and different flavored milks for toasts were delicious. Check out the fun photos from this perfect day…

Ian + Tatiana | Secluded Garden Estates Temecula, California

Ian and Tatiana had the most beautiful wedding day at such a sweet and intimate venue. The day was cloudy and even brought a touch of rain during the reception. Good luck for the bride and groom, not great for camera equipment ha. Thankfully the venue provided umbrellas for all the guests and the photographers too ;) From the ceremony through the reception, thoughtful and heartfelt moments were scattered throughout their day. The couple’s vows were so meaningful and beautiful. Ian and Tati even wrote cards to all of their guests to read during the reception. This wedding was one for the books, from beginning to end.

second shooting for Madison Rylee Photography

Breanna + Alec | Lost Dutchman State Park Arizona Wedding

Breanna and Alec, where do I even begin. Photographing this wedding in the middle of the Arizona Desert surrounded by cactus and red rocky mountains was beyond dreamy. And those Arizona sunsets definitely are in good completion with California sunsets. And Bre and Alec, their love, their story, made this day all the more beautiful. Surrounded by their closest friends, during the craziness of 2020, they tied the knot and had the most beautiful and intimate ceremony and reception. It was evident that even though the guest list was small. They were surrounded by their favorite people and their wedding day was absolutely perfect.