What to Look for When Choosing Your Wedding Photographer — The Real Talk Edition

(From a Photographer Who’s Seen It All)

First in the “Wedding Photography Truths” Blog Series

 

Intro: You’re Not Just Booking a Photographer — You’re Betting on Your Memories

Let’s cut through the noise: wedding photography is a huge deal. Bigger than most people realize.

You’re not buying a product. You’re investing in someone’s ability to feel your day — to read the energy in a room, to move quietly through chaos, and to capture moments so real, they make you cry years later.

And yet... most people pick their photographer based on a pretty Instagram feed and a price point.

If that makes your stomach turn a little — good. Because what you’re about to read is the guide no one else is giving you. Real talk from a wedding photographer who’s seen it all, and who genuinely wants your day to be documented the way it deserves to be.

1. Don’t Just Fall for a “Look” — Fall for the Way It Feels

Yeah, we all love the vibe. Light and airy, dark and moody, clean and classic. But none of that matters if the photos feel empty.

You want photos that hit you in the gut — not just look good in a grid.

Swipe past the filters and ask:

Look for heart, not just highlights. Because style will trend. But emotion? That’s forever.

2. Experience Isn’t a Flex — It’s Your Safety Net

Here’s a hard truth: anyone can call themselves a wedding photographer. Gear is cheap. Presets are everywhere.

But not everyone can handle a 12-hour day filled with chaos, pressure, bad lighting, timeline meltdowns, and 50 relatives asking for group photos.

When you hire someone experienced, you’re not just paying for photos — you’re paying for peace of mind. For someone who won’t panic when it rains. Who won’t miss the kiss. Who won’t need you to direct them on the most important day of your life.

3. If They Don’t Make You Feel Safe, Walk Away

Your wedding is not a photo shoot — it’s real life, with real emotion, and real vulnerability.

You want a photographer who knows when to take charge, when to back off, and how to make you feel like you’re just… you.

If they make you feel awkward, unheard, or like they’re just running through the motions — that energy will show up in your photos.

The best photographers feel like a steady hand, not a spotlight. Like someone you trust instinctively — not someone you're trying to impress.

4. Communication Is the Biggest Green (or Red) Flag

Here’s something people don’t talk about enough: photography is 50% shooting and 50% communication.

Are they organized? Do they answer questions before you ask them? Do they make this process feel simple and smooth — or confusing and chaotic?

Because if they’re sloppy over email, unprepared for your consult, or ghost you for days… imagine how that’s going to play out on your wedding day.

Spoiler: not well.

5. Listen to Your Gut — It’s Usually Smarter Than Your Spreadsheet

You can do all the research, compare all the packages, and analyze every review. But when you find the right photographer, you’ll feel it.

Not just because of their work — but because of their energy, their presence, their vibe.

You’ll feel seen. Heard. At ease.And when you do? That’s the one.

If You’ve Read This Far, You’re My Kind of People

You care. You’re not here for surface-level. You want meaning, connection, and the kind of images that make people feel something.

That’s what I do, so if you're ready to talk, I’m ready to listen. No pressure, no sales pitch — just a real conversation about what matters most to you.

🖤

Ron Prestage

Wedding Photographer for the Couples Who Get It