What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer

If you’ve started planning your wedding, you’ve probably realized how quickly the to-do list grows. Dress, venue, food, music — and somewhere on that list, “hire a wedding photographer.” Easy, right? You find someone with pretty pictures and good reviews and call it a day.

Except… photography is one of the few things you’ll have left long after the cake is eaten and the flowers wilt. Choosing the right photographer isn’t just about finding someone with a nice camera. It’s about finding the right FIT — someone who sees your story the way you live it.

As a Denver-based wedding photographer who’s been capturing couples for almost a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how the right match makes all the difference. So, here’s what you really need to know before hiring your wedding photographer - the stuff people don’t always tell you on Pinterest.

1. Style Isn’t Just About Editing — It’s About Energy

When people think of photography style, they usually mean how the images look - light and airy, dark and moody, classic and clean, etc. That matters, of course. You should love the final look. But there’s another layer to style: how your photographer works on the day of your wedding.

Are they the observer type, documenting everything as it unfolds naturally? Or are they more directive, posing you and managing the flow of the day? Or maybe a little of both (hi, that’s me!)

If you want real, unfiltered moments — your partner’s expression as you walk down the aisle, your grandma busting out dance moves you didn’t know she had — you’ll want someone with a documentary style approach. Someone who blends in and makes people feel comfortable enough to just be.

That’s what I love most about photographing weddings: no two couples are the same, and I get to meet people exactly where they are — messy, emotional, joyful, real.

2. Connection Matters More Than Perfection

This might sound cheesy, but it’s true — you’ll spend more time with your photographer on your wedding day than almost anyone else. If you don’t vibe with them, it shows.

Before booking, set up a call or Zoom. Pay attention to how you feel when talking with them. Do they actually listen, or do they just talk about themselves? Do they seem like someone who’ll calm you down when your nerves hit, or add to the chaos?

I always tell couples: you don’t need to be “photogenic.” You just need to feel comfortable. My job is to create a space where you forget about the camera and actually enjoy your day. The laughter, the tears, your awkward friend’s dance moves — that’s the good stuff.

When you’re looking through Denver wedding photographers, pick someone you trust enough to hand over the timeline and just be present. That’s when the best photos happen.

3. Ask to See Full Galleries (Not Just the Highlights)

Instagram is a highlight reel. Websites too, sometimes. What you don’t always see are the in-between moments — the indoor lighting, the family portraits, the reception flash photos.

Ask to see a FULL wedding gallery from start to finish. That’s how you’ll know if your photographer can handle every lighting situation, every part of the day. A good photographer’s work should still feel consistent from morning to night, even when the environment changes.

In my galleries, you’ll see it all: Colorado sunshine, mountain sunsets, candlelit receptions, and rainy “Plan B” moments that end up being even better than the original plan.

4. Understand What You’re Paying For

Photography pricing can vary wildly — especially in Denver. It’s easy to look at numbers and wonder why one person charges $3000 and another charges $10,000.

But the price isn’t just about hours worked. It reflects years of experience, equipment, editing time, and the ability to handle whatever your wedding day throws at us.

When you hire a professional photographer, you’re paying for:

• Experience and backup plans. If a camera fails, there’s a second one ready. If lighting changes, we adjust instantly.

• Editing time. A single wedding can take 30+ hours of editing to make sure your photos are cohesive and timeless.

• Education. Our jobs are constantly changing and shifting with the times - whether it is learning new gear or editing software, a good photographer is always investing in their education

• Gear. The best photographers are always updating their gear. And a new body plus a lens can costs around 8k.

• Peace of mind. You shouldn’t have to worry about a thing on your wedding day.

So yes, it’s an investment. But it’s one that lasts. Your photos will outlive the champagne, the playlist, and maybe even the trends you chose.

5. Think About How You’ll Use the Photos

Before you book, imagine what you want to do with your photos. Will you print an album? Hang them in your home? Share them online? Hopefully all of the above.

Photographers deliver galleries differently, so ask about printing rights, file sizes, and album options. I always deliver high-resolution files (along with the option to download the web-size version) and encourage couples to print their favorites — because photos deserve to be seen, not buried in your downloads folder.

If you’re planning a Colorado wedding, think about places in your home where local scenery might fit beautifully — the long green grass at Flatirons, the burnt orange look of Red Rocks, or cozy snowstorm elopements. Your photos should tell the story of your wedding, not just any wedding.

6. Trust the Process

The best photos don’t happen when everything is perfect. They happen when you let go a little.

I’ve photographed weddings where the timeline went off track, the weather turned, or a button popped off mid-ceremony — and guess what? Those are the stories couples remember and laugh about later. A couple just posted a photo of when they wanted to chop off their dress before being announced to make it shorter! It was tool and was getting in her way - so as the planner chopped away, I took photos. It was a memory she loved having captured.

If you’ve chosen the right photographer, you can trust them to roll with it and still make magic.

That’s why connection and trust matter so much. You’re not just hiring someone to take pictures; you’re inviting them into one of the most intimate days of your life.

Final Thoughts

If you take away one thing from this, let it be this: your photographer should feel like a friend you trust to tell your story honestly.

I love working with couples in and around Denver and beyond who want their wedding photos to feel like them — not posed, not forced, but real and full of heart.

So whether you’re planning a big celebration downtown or an intimate elopement in the mountains, let’s talk. We’ll chat about your vision, what’s important to you, how I approad the day and see if we’re a good fit.

Because your story deserves to be remembered the way it felt.