How to Choose the Right Photographer for Your Engagement Shoot & Wedding (Without Losing Your Sanity!)
So, you said “YES!”—cue the happy tears, ring selfies, and the sudden realization that wedding planning is basically a full-time job. One of the biggest decisions (besides choosing between cupcakes or a cake—why not both?) is finding the right photographer to capture your love story.
It’s kind of like online dating—you’re searching for someone who gets you, makes you feel comfortable, and won’t ghost you right before the big day. As a wedding and portrait photographer (Hi, Paige here, your friendly -though slightly awkward- neighborhood camerawizard!), I want you to find someone who makes you feel amazing in front of the camera—whether that’s me or someone else who’s the perfect fit.
Let’s break it down so you can find your person behind the lens!
Step 1: Know Your Style (a.k.a. Your Photography Love Language)
Before you start reaching out to photographers, take a second to figure out what kind of photos make your heart skip a beat. Do you love soft, romantic, light-filled images? Or are you drawn to bold, moody, cinematic shots? Maybe you like something more true-to-life with natural colors.
💡Pro tip: Photographers have their own unique styles, and that’s not something that changes overnight. If you love a photographer’s work as it is, that’s a good sign you’ll love your own photos, too!
Step 2: Stalk (in a Totally Non-Creepy Way)
Once you’ve found a few photographers whose work you love, it’s time to do a little research. Check out their social media, website, and client reviews. Do their past couples look genuinely happy? Do they have full wedding galleries to browse, not just the best five photos?
✔ Things to look for:
A consistent style (so you know what to expect!)
Good reviews about their personality, professionalism, and ability to handle wedding chaos
A vibe that matches yours—because you’re spending A LOT of time with them on your wedding day!
Step 3: Consider Taking a Chance on an Up-and-Coming Photographer
Okay, let’s talk about something a lot of people overlook—sometimes, choosing an emerging photographer can be a really good thing!
Newer photographers (like me!) might not have hundreds of weddings in their portfolio, but that doesn’t mean we can’t deliver beautiful, high-quality work. In fact, we often bring fresh creativity, personalized attention, and way more flexibility to the table—plus, our pricing is usually more budget-friendly while we build our portfolios.
If you love someone’s work but notice they don’t have as many weddings under their belt, ask to see full galleries or schedule a chat to get a feel for their confidence and vision. If their passion and dedication shine through, they might just be the perfect fit!
Step 4: Book an Engagement Session First
Think of an engagement session as a “test run” for your wedding photographer. It helps you get comfortable in front of the camera, see how they give direction, and make sure you actually like working with them (spoiler alert: this is important).
Bonus? You’ll have some gorgeous photos for your save-the-dates, wedding website, or just to flood your Instagram feed.
Step 5: Trust Your Gut
At the end of the day, the right photographer should feel like a good friend with a camera. If you feel excited and comfortable with them—ding ding ding, you’ve found your person! But if something feels off or forced, don’t be afraid to keep looking.
So… Am I Your Photographer?
If you’re looking for someone who…
✨ Captures natural, joy-filled moments
✨ Will be your personal fly-on-the-wall to capture those special candidates moments
✨ Knows how to make awkward couples feel not awkward — I am probably way more awkward anyway!
✨ Might crack a dad joke or two in the process...
Then let’s chat! Whether you’re looking for an engagement session, wedding day coverage, or just someone to obsess over wedding details with, I’d love to help tell your love story.
Book your session with Paige M Photography