How to Find Your Dream Wedding Photographer
In case you missed it, a TikTok recently went viral featuring a bride who was devastated by her wedding photos—not quite the memory she had hoped to cherish. It’s a tough reminder of just how important it is to ensure that your big day is captured in a way you’ll love for years to come. This got us thinking: What steps can couples take to guarantee that their wedding photos turn out beautifully? And how do you go about finding a photographer who understands your vision and style?
To dig deeper into these questions, we sought the expertise of renowned LA-based wedding photographer Vanessa Todd . With years of experience capturing love stories, Vanessa offers invaluable insights on what it takes to secure wedding photos you’ll cherish for years to come.
What should couples keep in mind when picking a wedding photographer to make sure they love their photos?
I think the biggest reason couples don't love their wedding photos is because they hired a photographer who was not insync with their taste preferences and expectations. To ensure they love their wedding photos, couples should focus on finding a photographer whose style aligns with their preferences and expectations. One of the main reasons for dissatisfaction is hiring a photographer who doesn’t match their vision. Before reaching out, couples should consider both the photographer's editing style (whether it's true to life, vibrant, golden, dark and moody, or light and airy) and their photography approach (such as traditional, fine art, documentary, or editorial). Once they’ve shortlisted a few photographers based on these styles, I recommend setting up a meeting and requesting multiple full galleries from their previous work. Reviewing these galleries provides a clearer picture of how your wedding day will be captured through their lens.
What are some common mistakes that can lead to not loving wedding photos, and how can couples avoid them?
When couples choose a photographer based solely on budget or word-of-mouth referrals without considering their work, they risk disappointment. Just because your sister’s best friend loved her photographer doesn’t mean you’ll feel the same. It’s crucial to prioritize finding someone whose style resonates with your vision.
How does planning ahead, like having an engagement session or creating a photo list, help make sure couples love their wedding photos?
Engagement sessions are incredibly valuable for helping couples get comfortable with their photographer and practice being photographed together. For many, it's their first experience with a professional photo shoot, and doing this for the first time on the wedding day can feel overwhelming. When it comes to shot lists, I believe they’re only useful for family photos or capturing unique mementos and details. Generic shot lists like "groom walking down the aisle," "bride at the altar," or "first kiss" can feel redundant and limit creativity. You don’t want your photographer distracted by snapping pictures of your welcome sign while you’re sharing an authentic moment with your grandparents.
Personally, I focus on genuine storytelling, capturing real moments instead of staging fake ones. While I guide couples at specific times, I let the day unfold naturally. It’s important to avoid getting too influenced by social media, which can sometimes pressure couples into recreating trends rather than living in their most joyful, authentic moments.
If couples aren’t happy with their photos after the wedding, what’s the best way to handle it with their photographer?
If couples are unhappy with their photos after the wedding, it’s often because they didn’t conduct thorough interviews before booking. By reviewing multiple full galleries beforehand, couples should have a clear and reasonable expectation of how their final images will look. As long as the final gallery is consistent with those samples, legally, the couple doesn’t have grounds to be upset with the outcome. However, if the issue stems from something outside the photographer’s control—such as body modifications or wardrobe malfunctions—the couple can absolutely approach the photographer to inquire about retouching services to help them feel their best.
Finally, make sure you have a detailed contract in place with your photographer that clearly outlines expectations, deliverables, and payment terms to avoid any confusion later.