9 Mistakes Couples Make When Booking a Wedding Photographer — And How to Avoid Them
Hiring a wedding photographer isn’t just about finding someone who’s photos you like and booking them it’s about choosing someone who’s work not only speaks to you but who also makes you feel comfortable, listened to, valued and confident that on the day they have you covered. Most couples would say that hiring the right photographer is probably the most important decision that they make when planning their wedding as once the wedding is over, besides the memories all that remains is the photographs.
There are so many choices when it comes to hiring a professional wedding photographer. There are different styles, from editorial to documentary, personalities from laid back to very outgoing and packages for simple to complex. If you don’t do your research you could be left stressed, disappointed and left with photos you don’t like. Here are some tips to guide you in choosing the perfect wedding photographer for your special day.
1. Prioritizing Price Over Value
The mistake: Going with the cheapest price to save money.
Why it’s a problem: A lower price often means less experience and/or lower quality. You can’t redo your wedding…budget photographer may lack the gear, backup plans, or experience to adapt to your specific wedding environment.
What to do instead: A more affordable photographer is not necessarily a bad investment they may just be starting out but still be very skilled and have simply priced themselves based on experience. Look at their portfolios, reviews, speak over video call or meet for a coffee to get a feel for them as a person. Finding the best fit for your day is incredibly important.
2. Not Reviewing Full Wedding Galleries
The mistake: Many couples hire a photographer based on Instagram highlights or a portfolio filled with styled shoots. These images may look flawless—but they don't represent the realities of a full wedding day.
Why it’s a problem: Highlight reels can hide weaknesses. Can they shoot well in low light? Handle chaotic receptions? Tell a cohesive story from morning prep to the final dance? Can they tell the complete story of your wedding day?.
What to do instead: Ask to see two or three complete wedding galleries—ideally weddings in similar venues or settings to yours. A full gallery shows how the photographer handles transitions, natural lighting, unpredictable events, and the full scope of emotions.
3. Not Meeting Your Photographer First.
The mistake: Couples overlook how much time they’ll actually spend with their photographer on the wedding day. If the photographer’s presence feels intrusive or uncomfortable, it can affect both your experience and your photos.
Why it’s a problem: A great photographer blends into the background while also guiding you gently through the day. If there’s no personal connection or if their energy feels off, it may result in stiff poses, missed moments, or unnecessary stress.
What to do instead: Schedule a video or in-person meeting before booking. Gauge how they communicate—are they warm? Clear? Attentive? How do they handle direction and pressure? If you feel relaxed and understood in their presence, that’s a strong green light.
4. Not Thinking About Style
The mistake: Booking a photographer whose style doesn’t match your vision.
Why it’s a problem: Different photographers have different styles from editorial and candid, cinematic, dark and moody, documentary etc. Maybe they prefer heavy posing or no posing at all. They may be extremely relaxed or a little more serious.
What to do instead: Spend some time exploring the different photography styles until you find a style that speaks to you. My style is more documentary/candid, capturing your day naturally as it unfolds, quietly with minimal intrusion. I prefer to guide naturally to enhance your photography rather than to set up fake/forced scenarios.
5. Not Asking About Backups, People and Equipment
The mistake: Assuming everything will go perfectly for the photographer
Why it’s a problem: Cameras fail, lenses break, emergencies happen and the weather can change.
What to do instead: Ask directly: Do they shoot with dual card slots? Do they carry a second camera body? What’s their process if they fall ill? A professional photographer should have a clear contingency plan and be transparent about it.
6. Disregarding the Editing and Delivery Process
The mistake: Couples often ask, “When will I get my photos?” but they rarely dig deeper.
Why it’s a problem: Editing styles vary widely from light and airy to dramatic moody edits. Inconsistency in editing or rushed delivery can ruin the final result, even if the shots themselves were well composed.
What to do instead: Review multiple galleries to check for consistency in editing. Ask how much retouching is included, how many photos you’ll receive, and what their turnaround time is. Be sure your expectations align, I prioritise quality over speed, which I believe is worth waiting for.
7. Skipping the Contract Details
The mistake: Some couples sign a contract without reading it closely, especially when booking under pressure and fail to ask questions.
Why it’s a problem: You might miss key info about payment terms, image rights, or delivery times. In the contract that you have with your wedding photographer, it will likely contain things like image rights, delivery times, payment terms, cancellation terms and more. Do you images come in colour, black and white or both?
What to do instead: Read every section carefully and don’t be afraid to ask your photographer to explain anything your unsure about
8. Not Sharing The Timeline Early
The mistake: Leaving the photographer out of the schedule planning
Why it’s a problem: If your wedding is taking place at different locations it could create logistical issues and you might not allow enough time for portraits, group shots or miss the best light of the day.
What to do instead: Share the timeline early so your photographer can advise you on the things that matter most. Personally I like to send out a form for all my brides and grooms and gather as much information as possible so you don’t have to worry about things, I can ask questions and come up with a plan ahead of time.
9. Booking Late in the Process
The mistake: Photography often gets pushed to the middle or end of the planning checklist, after the venue, dress, and catering.
Why it’s a problem: Great photographers book up fast, especially during peak wedding seasons. Waiting too long means you’ll either compromise on quality or pay a premium for last minute availability.
What to do instead: Once your date and venue are confirmed, start shortlisting photographers. Ideally, book your photographer at least 9–12 months in advance, especially if your wedding is during a popular month.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to choosing your wedding photographer its not just the photos that matter its about finding someone who will compliment you, your partner and your personalities. You want to make sure your hiring someone who will not only make you feel comfortable all day but also understands you and make images that truly represents who you are and how you felt on your wedding day.
I was fortunate enough on my own wedding day to have a photographer who was not only super talented but who was also friendly, engaging and confident enough to guide us on the day in a way that felt extremely natural and most importantly fun. This made the world of difference to us and as a result we felt relaxed and this showed in our photos.
Avoiding the mistakes above doesn’t require more money, it requires more attention. Take the time to research deeply, communicate clearly, and treat the process with care. In return, you'll receive not just photos, but timeless memories crafted with thought and heart.
