Beyond the Price Tag: Why Your Wedding Photographer's Value Goes Far Beyond Cost
- Andrew McLaughlin
- May 23
- 5 min read
Choosing your wedding photographer is a big decision.
Your wedding day likely represents years of dreaming, hoping and planning. You will have a wide range of concerns and priorities to keep in mind leading up to your big day, and every couple will value and prioritize certain elements differently than others. After the food and drink are enjoyed, the music and décor have faded and loved ones have departed, we are only left with our memories and the photographs of your most special day. If captured professionally, your wedding day photographs will be some of your most cherished possessions that hold a dear place in your family’s love story for generations.
When selecting your wedding vendors, your photography and/or videography team will probably be one of the most meaningful, important and consequential choices you make. Your photographer will be the vendor you spend the most time with on your wedding day, and whose work will have the most lasting impact on helping you to relive your wedding day memories. If you connect with your photographer’s personality and vibe and have confidence in their ability to positively solve any unexpected challenges on your wedding day, there is a great chance your wedding day experience will be a very positive one.
However, if your photographer doesn’t make you feel seen, understood or simply at ease, or you don’t have confidence in their technical, artistic and interpersonal skills, it will show up negatively in your photos and likely have a detrimental effect on your wedding day experience and memories. In our modern, tech saturated world, we are now all photographers. But of course, not all photographers are equal. Wedding photography requires a unique mix of skills, talents and passions.
Here are some important considerations for selecting your wedding photographer beyond just their pricing:
Style and Aesthetic: Make sure their photography style matches your vision. Do you prefer candid shots, traditional poses, or a more artistic approach? Is your photographer interested in learning about your personal preferences and priorities, or are they only in a rush to book you without showing much concern for what is important to you?
Experience and Portfolio: Look at their portfolio to see their previous work. Experience in wedding photography is crucial as it requires capturing moments that can't be recreated. Preparation, communication and planning are critical elements that your photographer should clearly be capable of and focused on.
Reviews and Recommendations: Check reviews from other couples and see what qualities, benefits, and experiences they report on about each photographer. Ask recently married friends and family for recommendations. Positive feedback from a wide range of sources can give you confidence in their reliability, communication and professionalism.
Personality and Comfort: You'll be spending a lot of time with your photographer on your big day. It's important to feel comfortable and have a great rapport with them. Any photographer you are considering should be interested in scheduling some time on a call to get to know both of you well in advance of any photography so they can understand you and your priorities first and foremost.
Availability and Reliability When reaching out to any potential photographers, make sure to share your wedding date up front so they can ensure they are available. Without this information, some photographers might ignore your request for more information if they don’t feel you are ready to make a serious commitment. Once an agreement and contract are signed, what stipulations or guarantees does your photographer make for showing up? Do they guarantee the photographer you have been speaking with will be the same person who shows up on your wedding day?
Backup Plans: Ask about their backup plan in case of equipment failure or other emergencies. A professional should have contingencies in place like backup equipment of the same quality and capabilities, as well as staffing contingencies in case of illness or unexpected emergencies. Ask if they are also insured for liability? Many venues will require all of your vendors to carry professional liability insurance in order to work at your wedding day venues.
Editing and Turnaround Time: Discuss how long it will take to get your photos and what kind of editing they offer. Is their editing style consistent and match the images you have seen on their website or Instagram profile? Make sure their editing timeline aligns with your expectations. Communication is critical here as assumptions can be made and misunderstandings may arise if the photographer isn’t clear about these deadlines. Final deadlines should be written into the contract that you sign.
Added Value: Besides taking and editing your photographs, what other value added services does the photographer offer? As a central vendor on any wedding day, photographers are uniquely qualified to provide a wide range of value added services and resources such as photography guides, recommended vendor lists, location guides, wedding day timeline creation, etc. If a photographer doesn’t generously offer these types of value added resources, it may be an indication they aren’t very experienced or helpful in understanding their client’s needs.
Contract and Rights: Read the contract carefully. Understand what rights you have to the photos and any restrictions on their use. Be sure to ask about anything you don’t understand before signing. Is the photographer requesting a deposit, or a retainer? A deposit implies that either the couple or the photographer could back out of the contract for any reason, and the deposit would be returned entirely. However, a retainer is a payment to guarantee the photographer you have booked will be at your wedding, and not a less experienced photographer you’ve never met. A retainer further guarantees that the photographer has reserved your wedding date on their calendar and are no longer taking inquiries for your wedding date. Without a retainer, a photographer is free to entertain “better offers” from other couples on your wedding date. It is possible they may inform you only weeks or months before your wedding that they are no longer able to attend your wedding due to a “better offer” on your date which would leave you scrambling to find a suitable replacement photographer at the last minute. This is challenging as most of the best qualified photographers are often booked many months to over a year in advance.
Packages and Services: Look at what is included in their packages. Some photographers offer additional services like engagement shoots, albums, or prints. Is the photographer flexible in what your final package or collection can include, or are they only willing to sell inflexible, take it or leave it packages which may include elements you aren’t interested in? Since weddings are very diverse and unique today, Andrew McLaughlin Photography only offers tailored collections that are assembled after an initial consultation with prospective clients to determine their needs, priorities and timeline for the wedding day.
Communication: Good communication is an important quality. Any potential photographer you are considering should be responsive and willing to discuss your needs and preferences at any time. A lack of slow, inconsistent or unreliable communication is a red flag. Your photographer should consistently demonstrate prompt and attentive communication patterns. Good communication is a clear sign of respect and professionalism.
Are you and your fiancé interested in learning more about any of these points? If you’re interested in scheduling some time with Andrew to share your concerns, priorities and biggest visions for your wedding day, CLICK HERE to request a no obligation consultation call and acquire your tailored collection proposal! All consultation calls include a no obligation tailored proposal, preferred vendor list and wedding day Timeline creation.
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