5 Things to Look for When Choosing Your Wedding Photographer
If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of wedding planning spreadsheets, you already know—there are about 4,872 decisions to make before your big day. But here’s the thing: long after the menu is forgotten and the dance floor confetti is swept away, the photos are what last.
So when it comes to choosing your photographer, it’s worth slowing down to find the right fit. Here are five things I tell couples to keep in mind.
1. Experience With Full Wedding Days
A wedding isn’t just a two-hour photo session. It’s a ten-hour (sometimes twelve-hour) marathon packed with once-only moments: the quiet while you’re getting ready, the nerves before walking down the aisle, the tears during speeches, the chaos of the dance floor.
An experienced photographer knows how to pace themselves, anticipate moments before they happen, and stay creative when the day inevitably runs behind schedule (because let’s be real, it almost always does).
💡 Tip: Don’t just scroll Instagram highlights—ask to see full galleries. That’s how you’ll know if someone can tell the whole story, start to finish.
2. Familiarity With Your Venue
Every venue has its quirks. Some give you dreamy golden-hour backdrops and gorgeous architecture. Others? Not so much—think dim ballrooms or tight little suites where everyone’s crammed in together.
A photographer who knows your venue already has the inside scoop: the angles that flatter, the hidden corners for portraits, the rainy-day backup plan. For example, at a place like Elora Mill, the riverside views are magic, but those cozy suites? They require careful lighting and quick thinking.
💡 Tip: Ask to see work from your actual venue, or at least something similar—whether that’s a vineyard, a loft, or a rustic barn.
3. An Editing Style You Truly Love
Editing style is more than a preset—it’s the feel of your memories. Do you want warm, golden tones? Clean, true-to-life color? A touch of moody drama?
A consistent style means your photos will flow together beautifully no matter the lighting—bright afternoon ceremonies, candlelit receptions, or foggy first looks.
💡 Tip: Browse at least three full galleries. If you love the look in every lighting situation, you’ve probably found your match.
4. A Calm, Supportive Presence
Here’s a little secret: you’ll spend more time with your photographer than almost anyone else on your wedding day. From slipping into your dress or suit to your sparkler exit, they’re right there beside you.
That’s why personality matters just as much as portfolio. You want someone who can keep things light, calm nerves, and step in with gentle direction when you need it—without ever making you feel like you’re on a photoshoot. When your photographer feels like a friend, your photos feel like you.
💡 Tip: Pay attention to how you feel in your first meeting. If you walk away feeling relaxed and supported, that’s exactly how you’ll feel on your wedding day too.
5. The Balance of Leadership and Blending In
A great photographer can wrangle a 20-person wedding party into a portrait in record time—and then vanish into the background to catch your grandma’s happy tears or your friends going wild on the dance floor.
It’s about striking that balance: being a calm, confident leader when the schedule needs it, and then fading into the crowd so you forget the camera’s even there.
💡 Tip: Ask how they approach both portraits and candids. The best photographers are part director, part fly on the wall.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t about finding “pretty pictures.” It’s about finding someone you trust to hold your memories—someone with:
- Full-day experience
- Knowledge of your venue (or similar spaces)
- An editing style you love
- A calm, supportive presence
- The ability to lead when needed and blend in when not
When you find all of that in one person, you’ll walk into your wedding day with total peace of mind—and walk away with photos that bring you right back to how it all felt.
📌 Pro Tip for Couples in Toronto, Kitchener, and beyond: Start your search early. The best photographers often book up 12–18 months in advance.
✨ Your Next Step
If you’re on the hunt for a photographer who can wrangle your wedding party and blend right into the dance floor, you might have just found them. 😉 Let’s connect — I’d love to hear about your plans.
