How To Choose The Right Wedding Photographer

How To Choose The Right Wedding Photographer

and figure out what’s best for you.

Searching for your perfect wedding photographer can be an overwhelming process because there are so many ways to photograph a wedding. Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok, Google.. you can find thousands of Portland wedding photographers within seconds.

Every artist has a different way of seeing the world, and this directly effects how photographers interact with couples on a wedding day. Some photographers utilize lots of elaborate lighting to create jaw-dropping portraits. Other photographers focus on details and come away with magazine-worthy photos of shoes and centerpieces and floral arches. And other photographers use their editing style to match a certain aesthetic. Have you heard of “light and airy” vs “dark and moody”?

I always love learning from other photographers, and there is something for everyone! 

To choose the best wedding photographer, it’s best to search for images that make you feel comfortable. Can you see yourself in those images? I highly recommend that you look at multiple galleries from wedding photographers, rather than just social media posts and styled shoots. And lastly, it’s best if you can schedule a phone call or Zoom meeting so you can get to know different photographers and discover if their expertise matches your photography needs.

Where does that place me? I’m a storyteller, and my core desire to document truth and honor my subjects, rather than change them, will always persist in my portfolio. Why do I like to tell stories? Maybe it’s because my dad constantly read to me while growing up. Maybe it’s because I’m an observant introvert— I like to watch things unfold, rather than being the center of the action. Maybe it’s because I find joy in seeing the differences in human beings, while finding central core values, like love and respect.

My photography approach is centered around storytelling, and the following beliefs are what make me a good fit for my couples:

Your wedding album shouldn’t hold memories of your wedding photographer staging you into awkward poses.

You and your partner know best how to show love to one another. I’ll give you guidance so that we aren’t silent and awkward while my cameras are out, but I won’t force you to slow dance or grab butts or do things that aren’t you. We all show love differently, and your unique way of loving each other is something that translates beautifully in photographs. I’m an expert at capturing the quick glances, soft touches, and looks of pure joy, and I don’t need to make you feel uncomfortable in order to do so. Love looks different for everyone, and that’s what I capture for my couples. Your photos should be a direct reflection of the ways you show love for one another.

Each wedding is different, so a cookie-cutter photo timeline isn’t the best approach.

Right now, first looks seem to be a “must have” in the wedding industry. Seeing each other before the ceremony allows more time to capture more portraits, and coordinators, photographers, and venues seem to push a first look in order to open up the timeline. First looks can be really beautiful! A lot of couples truly enjoy doing them because it allows a moment of privacy during a busy day, and it also allows you to get some of the jitters out before the ceremony. However, I’ve photographed many weddings where the bride and groom don’t want to see each other before the ceremony, and that’s perfectly ok too! After weighing the pros and cons, you know what will allow you to enjoy your day most, so I heavily encourage my couples to not feel pressured one way or another. I will help you come up with a photo timeline that encourages you to enjoy the day, the emotions, the food— all of it— while not having to spend hours away for portraits. There are SO MANY ways to do a wedding day, so I find it’s best to determine what’s most important for you and work from there, rather than trying to force a specific timeline or agenda.

Making my couples and their loved ones feel comfortable just as they are is the key to capturing the most beautiful moments.

Having a camera in front of your face feels weird. It just does. We don’t know what to do with our hands; we force an awkward smile. It feels even weirder when it’s a stranger holding the camera. After a decade of shooting weddings, I’ve found that the best way to capture beautiful, candid moments is to foster feelings of comfort and trust with your wedding guests. While I don’t converse much on a wedding day because I’m super busy taking photos, I do make small talk with your wedding guests. I get to know your bridal party. I arrive with a calm energy and love getting to know the people who will be standing in front of my lens. It’s my friendliness and true desire to get to know you and your loved ones that allows me to break the barrier or awkwardness and encourage people to be themselves in front of my cameras.

Your final gallery should contain photos of all of your guests, not just photos of the married couple.

I’ve studied this. In the hundreds of wedding galleries I’ve delivered, over 70% of “favorited” images are photos of wedding guests. This is an incredible piece of knowledge! My couples cherish the photos of their grandparents, their nieces and nephews, their college roommates. It’s these people who have uplifted you throughout your relationship, and they’ve played a key role in who you are. It’s so important that your wedding gallery honor these people so that you can see their faces and their hearts forever.

A guided documentary photo approach is ideal, which means I’ll give you some direction so that you’re standing in flattering light, but I won’t tell you how to act. 

Your wedding photos shouldn’t bring back memories of your photographer telling you what to do. Your wedding photos should bring back memories of a time filled with deep emotion. Your wedding photos should transport you back to all of the colors and people and joy that surrounded you on a monumental day. I’ll be there to guide you so that we capture beautiful imagery, but I won’t tell you what to do or how to be.

You should feel grounded in a day that goes by so quickly, rather than getting lost in a contrived photoshoot.

I want to capture your wedding story with intention and honesty. My job is to turn the moments filled with love into a beautiful memory that will last forever, and it’s these hundreds of images that will make up your wedding day story. I see time and time again weddings overtaken by the need to create content: content for social media; content for vendors; content for the sake of content. You won’t get this day back, and I believe the only content that should be honored is the content that will soon be a wedding album filled with real moments of magic that celebrate you and your loved ones.

If this sounds like what you’re searching for in a wedding photographer, I’d love to connect! Please reach out so we can talk about the wedding you’re planning!