The Importance of Hiring a Professional Wedding Photographer
When you're planning your wedding, it's easy to become so focused on budgets and logistics that you overlook what truly matters. When Erika and I were planning our own wedding in 2018, we were given a $10,000 budget by her parents, with the added incentive that whatever we didn’t spend could be saved for our future together. Determined to stay within that limit—and motivated by the idea of pocketing the surplus—we became so focused on cutting costs that we overlooked the importance of prioritizing quality, particularly when it came to choosing our vendors.
Why Wedding Photography Should Be a Priority
Our task was to find vendors for the essentials: a wedding venue for the ceremony, a photographer, catering, a DJ, and a baker for the wedding cake. Thankfully, some other elements were already covered by family and friends, which helped stretch our budget.
We found a charming little chapel for our venue, and we were thrilled to book a fantastic DJ and catering from Erika’s favorite Italian restaurant—all under budget. We also lucked out with a wonderful baker who created a beautiful wedding cake. But the one decision we still regret to this day was our choice of photographer.
Our Biggest Wedding Photography Regret
This is hard for me to admit because the photographer we hired was a dear friend of ours. We wanted to support her business, and at the time, it seemed like a great idea. However, looking back now—especially as wedding photographers ourselves—we realize how much we underestimated the importance of hiring an experienced wedding photographer and one with a clear vision for capturing the day. While our photos were technically fine—nothing blurry or poorly composed—they didn’t tell the story of our wedding day in a way that reflected how it actually felt. Moments like a first look play a huge role in telling the story of your wedding day, shaping how naturally emotions and interactions unfold. When we look at our wedding album, we see a collection of photos rather than a narrative that truly reflects the emotions and moments of our day.
Wedding Photography Is More Than Just Taking Photos
This isn’t to place blame on our photographer. She did her best, and we’re grateful for her efforts. The fault lies with us for not being more informed about what makes a wedding photographer exceptional. At the time, we didn’t understand that wedding photography is an art. It takes skill, talent, and a deep understanding of lighting, composition, and storytelling to document a wedding day in a way that feels timeless. We didn’t know to prioritize consistency in editing style or to seek someone who could capture the day in a way that resonated with us emotionally.
Now, as wedding photographers, we have a much deeper appreciation for the craft. We’ve learned just how much goes into capturing and editing a wedding gallery—balancing exposure, contrast, color tones, and more. It’s far more than simply clicking a button, and we didn’t understand that back then.
What to Look for When Hiring a Wedding Photographer
If I could go back and change one thing, it would be to put more thought and effort into finding a photographer who was seasoned, detail-oriented, and aligned with our vision. That’s why I want to share this advice: don’t make the same mistake we did. Hire a photographer who is established, consistent, and capable of telling the story of your wedding day through their lens. It’s an investment you’ll never regret.
