A note from Sherry at World’s Best Wedding Photos

With so many talented photographers just a search away, you might expect finding the right one to feel easy. Often, it feels like the opposite. That’s why we asked Marci Curtis to share her refreshingly practical approach. Marci began her career as a newspaper photojournalist and has spent years helping couples find a photographer who fits their style, their budget, and their day. Her step-by-step guide will help you cut through the noise and find someone you love and trust.

It’s ironic that choosing a wedding photographer, especially if you’re planning a wedding in a large city, has become more daunting as the ways to find one keep multiplying. Every true professional has a website, most have social media to scroll through, and now there are AI suggestions too (which can be hit and miss). It’s overwhelming. There are too many choices, and it’s harder than ever to know who to trust. You’re not only looking for someone you like, but someone you trust and can afford. So where do you start?

1. Set your budget

It may change as you go, but have a number to start with. Many photographers list a “prices start at…” figure, so you’ll at least know the ballpark. If a photographer doesn’t list pricing, don’t be shy about asking for it before you fall in love with their work.

2. Google your wedding venue

If you don’t have a formal venue (say, your backyard or a family lake home), search with a detailed description of your location instead: a barn, a lakeside, a farm, along with the state you’re in. This isn’t to find the photographer just yet. It’s so you can click on the “Images” tab and see photos of your venue, or places like it, from lots of different photographers.

3. Notice what draws you in

As you scroll, you’ll see that the same venue can look remarkably different from photo to photo. Some images feel bright and airy, others darker and more dramatic. Some colors look natural, while others look warmer. Some photographers focus on details like table settings, while others capture fantastic dancing shots. Pay attention to the images that draw you in. They’ll help you define the style you love.

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4. Figure out your style

Even if you know what you like, photography style names can be confusing. The industry often uses several names to describe the same thing. Here’s a quick guide to the main styles you’ll see:

• Light and airy (also called bright and airy, ethereal, whimsical, pastel, film-inspired, or fine art): bright exposures with a soft, luminous feel. Outdoor skies often appear white.
• Dark and moody (also called cinematic, painterly, dramatic, low-key, or atmospheric): deeper shadows and muted, rich colors, with fewer bright whites.
• Natural light (sometimes called documentary or lifestyle): no supplemental lighting, often with warmer golden tones that carry through skin tones and even the wedding dress.
• True to life (also called true-to-color, photojournalistic, candid, reportage, or classic): aims to mirror reality as closely as possible. These images may use flash subtly, or in a more powerful, dramatic way.

You’ll notice plenty of overlap between styles. Some are created in camera, and some are achieved in editing afterwards. What matters most is which images draw you in. Which ones give you a feeling that resonates and make you linger a little longer?

It’s not just how the photos look, but what’s in them. Are they mostly posed? Full of detail shots? Action and moments? All of the above? For full disclosure, I started my career as a newspaper photojournalist, so my style has always been true to life. It’s filled with moments and great lighting, which I use to create fun, artistic portraits that also help tell the story of the day.

5. Build your shortlist

As you scroll through the Google image search, you may spot photographers worth a closer look. Add them to a list. Then go back to Google and search for photographers in your area using the most common name for the style you love. Add any other priorities that matter to you, such as experienced, LGBTQ+ friendly, or well-reviewed. The more detail you give, the more you’ll narrow the search. Then start clicking and see who makes your heart sing. Which photographers make you laugh, cry, or feel something you connect with? Add them to your list, and visit their websites to see whether your priorities are reflected there.

6. The trust factor

This has become the hardest thing for couples to validate. Start by searching each photographer’s business name. A long-standing reputation, good or bad, will show up. Read their reviews beyond Google, and see what other sites their name leads you to. A pattern of poor client experiences is hard to hide.

In my experience, fake reviews aren’t that common. If you’re unsure, ask the photographer how you can confirm their reviews come from real couples. Personally, I share sneak peeks from every wedding on my professional Facebook page, so anyone curious can find the couples and their reviews there.

It’s also worth checking how long someone has worked as a lead or solo wedding photographer. How many weddings have they photographed where they were the one running the show? As you look through their portfolio, notice how often the same couple appears. A portfolio built around just one or two weddings can be a sign of limited experience. Finally, see whether your photographer has been invited to join a curated wedding photography directory based on talent and creativity, like World’s Best Wedding Photos.

7. Reach out and connect

Once you’ve built your list and explored their websites, reach out with as many detailed questions as you like, or ask to hop on a call. You’d be surprised how much of a photographer’s personality and approach comes through in an email or a phone call.

You probably haven’t hired a wedding photographer many times before, but wedding photographers have worked with all kinds of couples. They should guide you through your day, and you should feel confident and at ease with them. You’re hiring an expert. You don’t need to know everything; that’s why you’re choosing them.

I think most couples know when they’ve found the one. It’s a little like when the two of you knew you were right for each other. It just felt easy, breezy, and right. Okay, you’re not marrying your wedding photographer, but you will spend more time with them than with anyone else that day. You should enjoy their company and be genuinely excited about what your photos will look like.

Great photographers don’t just take unique and beautiful photos. They help with your timeline, work well with your other vendors, and advocate for your priorities all day long. They keep time so you don’t have to. They’re organized, they give you clear instructions, and they smooth everything out beforehand so you don’t need to make decisions on the day.

Choosing the right wedding photographer isn’t always easy, but it can be a lot of fun once you know where to start.

From Sherry

Thank you, Marci, for such a helpful and practical guide. There’s no single right style or right photographer, only the one whose work makes you feel something and whose approach puts you at ease. When you’re ready to start your search, our directory is full of vetted, experienced photographers working in every style imaginable. You might also be interested in checking out another article from our member, Ruben Parra, who wrote specifically about how to choose the right luxury wedding photographer. 

Take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy finding your perfect match. Happy searching!