Advice for Choosing
a Wedding Photographer

Choosing the right wedding photographer is crucial to capturing the memories of your special day. With various photography styles available, it's important to understand the differences to find the perfect match for your vision. Here, we explore four popular wedding photography styles and feature professional photographers who excel in each.

Traditional photography, also known as classic wedding photography, focuses on posed portraits and formal group shots. This style emphasizes clear, crisp images and often includes standard shots such as the couple's first kiss, cake cutting, and family portraits. Traditional photography ensures that all the significant moments are captured in a timeless manner, making it ideal for couples who want a comprehensive and structured documentation of their wedding day.

When to choose traditional photography:

• You prefer a classic and timeless look for your wedding photos.
• You want to ensure that all the important moments and family members are included.
• You appreciate formal, posed portraits that you can cherish for years to come.

Photojournalistic photography, or documentary-style photography, captures candid and spontaneous moments throughout the wedding day. This style focuses on storytelling, allowing the natural emotions and interactions to unfold without much interference from the photographer. The result is a collection of genuine and emotive images that tell the story of the day as it happened.

When to choose photojournalistic photography:

• You prefer a natural and authentic representation of your wedding day.
• You appreciate the art of storytelling through candid photography.

Fine art photography combines artistic vision with wedding photography, resulting in visually stunning and often dramatic images. This style focuses on composition, lighting, and creative techniques to create images that are not only beautiful but also unique pieces of art. Fine art photographers often use film and digital photography to achieve their distinctive look.

When to choose fine art photography:

• You appreciate artistic and visually striking images.
• You want your wedding photos to be unique and stand out as pieces of art.
• You are drawn to creative compositions and innovative use of light and color.

Film photography is a classic medium that has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. It involves capturing images on photographic film, which is then developed to produce physical prints. The unique characteristics of film, such as its grain, color rendition, and dynamic range, offer a distinct aesthetic that digital photography often tries to emulate but cannot fully replicate. Film photography can add a timeless, nostalgic feel to your wedding photos, making them stand out in their charm and warmth.

When to choose film photography:

• You love the timeless, nostalgic look that film provides.
• You appreciate the artistic qualities of film, including its grain and color depth.
• You want your wedding photos to have a distinctive, classic feel that stands out from digital photography.

Meet Lauren Ruark, the talented Associate Art Director at Artifact Uprising. With an impeccable eye for detail and a passion for visual storytelling, Lauren is not only an expert in her field but also a bride who cherishes her wedding photos. As someone who understands the nuances of visual storytelling, Lauren offers couples heartfelt and practical advice on how to choose a wedding photographer who can perfectly capture the magic of their special day.

Find someone whose photography style truly resonates with your personal style. If you’re not sure exactly what look you’re going for, gather some inspiration photos that you love and find a photographer whose work matches that. Try not to have too many people weigh in when making your final decision, because what matters most is choosing someone whose work you feel most connected to.

It is important to choose someone who meshes well with your personality, especially since it’s likely there will be some stress and heightened emotions on your big day. I also advise making sure your photographer has past experience working well with other wedding vendors, like videographers and wedding planners.

Working with a wedding photographer includes a lot of communication before, on, and after your big day. If you feel confident that your photographer will be professional, organized, and timely, the entire journey will go much more smoothly.

Ask about turnaround times and align on any other key expectations before signing any contracts. In addition, reading reviews on Google, The Knot, or personal websites may help you make a decision.

Meet Kate Ivy, an AU Pro Partner and a celebrated Colorado Wedding Photographer whose passion for capturing love stories shines through every frame. Kate's deep appreciation for the magic of weddings is beautifully expressed in her heartfelt approach to photography.

As she puts it, "When I am around two people madly in love — I lose my breath a little. My heart beats fast. It makes me feel alive and everything seems right in the world. There is nothing like witnessing two people commit to loving one another. Not despite of their flaws and quirks, but because of them. Two imperfect people, willing to put in the work for the greatest gift there is in the world." With her unique blend of artistry and emotion, Kate creates stunning visual narratives that reflect the true essence of each couple's journey.

The first step of connecting with your photographer is filling out the contact form on their website. This might seem obvious, but I am saying this for a few reasons. First, I have missed opportunities to work with multiple clients because they contacted me through Instagram, and I didn’t see their DM in my hidden requests.

Second, this is somewhat like an application — we are both interviewing each other. I know couples are filling out a LOT of these in the beginning, but letting us know a little bit about you as a couple helps us start that connection. I try to keep mine simple, but one of the questions I ask is “how do you spend your Sundays” — are you out hiking with your dogs, going to the farmers market, or trying a new restaurant?

When you jump on the phone with your photographer, it can almost feel like a first date, and if you are feeling super awkward, that’s ok. There are so many photographers out there, so make sure you “shop around” and find someone whose work you love AND who you connect with personality-wise!

Getting great photos is important, but I also know most couples have a budget they are hoping to stick to for their wedding day. I have heard people say you should spend around ten to twelve percent of your budget on photography.

But I think it’s important to evaluate what is most important to you. Some people want to splurge on flowers, and other people think food is the most important. Maybe you are having a smaller wedding with a food truck… then that might open up your budget to get the photographer of your dreams or hire a videographer.

I think it also helps to ask people who have recently had a wedding to see what they wish they spent more or less money on. Another thing to consider is whether the photographer of your dreams offers a smaller package (6 hours versus 8 hours or a full day). If it were me, I would rather have my dream photographer who charges more, but for less time to make it work in my budget.

Selecting the ideal wedding photographer is a journey that requires understanding your personal style and the emotions you want to capture. From the timeless grace of traditional photography to the candid spontaneity of photojournalism, the artistic beauty of fine art, and the nostalgic allure of film, each style brings something distinctive to your wedding day.

By exploring these styles and considering advice from the pros, you can find the perfect match to document your love story.

Remember, your wedding photos are more than just images; they are a testament to your love and joy, treasured memories that you will look back on for a lifetime. Trust your gut — and congratulations on your celebration of love!