There are many important decisions to make when planning your wedding. Finding a photographer to capture the special moments is nonnegotiable. Lucky for you, as a Documentary Wedding Photographer, I thrive on capturing the images filled with feeling and not poses. In this article I will explain the key points on how to choose a wedding photographer you truly trust.
Let’s begin!
Trust Must Matter More Than Posing
No matter what style Wedding Photographer you hire, you must always feel you can trust them. Like me, your wedding photographer will be with you during the most emotional, intimate parts of your day not just the pretty ones. Here are two ideas to keep in mind when choosing a wedding photographer:
- Someone who feels like a calming presence. You should feel this even before the first conversation. Their website should immediately make you feel taken care of and your dream photos will be capture with care and intention.
- You can feel relaxed around this person. Your wedding photographer should bring a relaxed vibe to every point of contact of planning and throughout the wedding day. We aren’t therapists, but as professionals we know how to navigate stress and help you relax. You can learn more about how I help my couples build out a wedding timeline and view a real life 8 hour timeline from a past couple.
Choose a Wedding Photographer who Values Real Moments
If you want your day to feel authentic, choose a photographer who prioritizes:
- Emotion over perfection. You may think those luxury magazine worthy weddings look pretty darn perfect. The reality is, no wedding is perfect. No matter the budget, venue or team, something will always be imperfect. That aside, emotion will always matter more. You want your photographer to focus more on the feelings and why over centerpieces and golden hour editorial poses.
- Storying telling over staged images. Couples who inquiry me do so because they instant felt a connection. As a Documentary and Observational Wedding Photographer I approach weddings with a story driven viewpoint. I do pose my couples during first look and sunset photos, but the rest of the day is purely candid. Your wedding is a real day with real people. Let your day feel that way!
Do You feel Something When You Look at Their Work?
Whether you view a photographers work on Instagram, Pinterest or website, their work should make you feel something. Giddy, emotional, etc. Be sure to look for these elements:
- Genuine laughter
- Quiet in-between moments
- Tears, movement, tenderness
- full stories, not just highlights. Ask to see full galleries. This way you can see how the photographer captures each event of the day.
Consistency is a Sign of Professionalism
When scrolling through a full wedding gallery ask yourself these questions:
- Do all the images feel consistently strong throughout the day? You don’t want to see really strong work at the start of the day and then as the day moves on images start to feel lack luster and less narrative based. This could mean the photographer is brand new to working weddings or they just get tired and start not caring about capturing other important moments later in the day. This can be a red flag.
- Are the indoor, outdoor, bright and low light moments handled well? Weddings are fast paced events. Making sure your photographer can smoothly move from bright outdoor photos to a dark indoor space is handled professionally. I love working in all lighting conditions and often use soft candlelight or flash moments in darker locations or night time reception dancing. I create artistic moments filled with blur and grain for specific moments. This diversifies your gallery images.
- Do the photos feel honest and timeless, not just trendy? More 2026 and 2027 couples are looking for honest and timeless images for their wedding day. Trends come and go and at the end of the day no one will remember the trend. What they will remember is why they laughed or cried.
Consistency builds confidence.
Your Wedding Photographer Should Feel Like a Guide, Not a Vendor
Trust grows so much deeper when your photographer is invested in you not just the timeline.
As a Wedding Photographer, here are things I help my couples with:
- I help you plan a photography friendly day. Yes timelines are vital to keep the events of your day on track but beyond that, I am here to make sure every moment throughout your day is photo friendly and keep you in mind every time.
- Answer questions with care. Early in the journey, I always tell you I am available to you when you need me. Questions are important and no question will be unanswered.
- Bring calm energy. Hug me when you see me and my calm presence will rub off.
- Support you beyond the camera. From the first Hi to the see ya later, I am here for you. You didn’t just hire a gal with a camera. You hired a human being who has a personal stake in your day!
Read Reviews for Emotional Keywords
A photographer can have the most amazing images but beyond that having real client testimonials will be the most important thing to see for choosing a photographer you truly trust.
Look for key words like these:
- Calming
- Made us feel comfortable
- Felt like a friend
- Captured moments we didn’t even see
- We could fully be ourselves
Make Sure You Connect on a Personal Level
Your photographer is capturing an important milestone in your lives. This connect starts with a video call or in person meet up. During each point of the conversation, you all should feel connected because they will be by your side during these moments:
- Getting Ready. Your best girls sharing a prayer or hugs and your mom or significant role model in your life helping you into your dress and sharing a heartfelt moment.
- Private vows. This could be during the first look or a hand holding moment before walking down the aisle.
- Family hugs
- Emotional conversations. This can easily stir up tears. Your photographer should be able to quickly capture it.
- The entire celebration
Ask the Right Questions on Your Consultation Call
If you want a day that feels like you and to choose a photographer you truly trust, ask these questions on the consultation call:
- How do you approach photographing a wedding day?
- Do you give direction or mostly observe?
- How do you help us feel comfortable?
- What happens if the timeline shifts?
- How do you capture moments without interrupting them?
Trust Comes From Experience, Not just Aesthetic
Style matters but having a reliable photographer on your side matter more. A professional and experience wedding photographer knows how to handle:
- Unpredictable weather conditions
- Emotional family dynamics
- Tight Timelines (this is why most of my couples choose or upgrade to an 8 hour wedding day)
- Low light receptions
- Fast moving moments
Choose a Photographer Who Sees the Meaning in the Ordinary
As a Documentary Wedding Photographer I notice the little things that most others will miss:
- Your mom holding back tears during a quiet gift exchange during getting ready.
- You and your partner holding hands during speeches
- The soft hand holding at the alter
- The wide open mouth of your bridesmaids singing and dancing
These moments become the heart of your wedding story!
Your Photos Should Feel Like a Memory
At the end of the day, trust is about this:
Do you believe this person will tell your honest story? Not just the posed moments, but the real ones. Years from now, you won’t remember that wedding trend, you will remember what is felt like.
Final Thoughts
If you made this far, I thank you. This means you have a better understanding on how to choose a wedding photographer you truly trust. It’s so much more then photos. It’s about choosing that one photographer (me!) who will document honesty, emotion and connect deeper with you all while preserving your wedding day in a way that feels true to you.
If you’re looking for a Spokane or North Idaho Documentary Wedding Photographer who captures weddings quietly, emotionally and naturally unfolds, I’d love to connect.
I also travel anywhere love takes you! No place is off limits.
