How to Choose A Wedding Photographer for Your Virginia Wedding
- Rachel
- Jun 2
- 10 min read
Updated: Nov 12
Understanding wedding photography can be a challenge when you've never planned a wedding before! There are so many phrases and buzzwords photographers use. Let's answer all your questions!
About the Photography
What is a wedding photographer? How are they different from other photographers?
A wedding photographer specializes in capturing weddings, thriving in fast-paced environments with strict schedules. They use specific equipment to effectively photograph, curate, and protect wedding images, distinguishing them from other portrait photographers. Wedding photogs are a different kind of photographer because they adapt to anything and often end keep your wedding day running by helping with random tasks and orchestrating key moments!
How do I know what photography style I like?
Knowing the style you like will make your search for a photographer a lot easier. The best way to figure this out is browse wedding photos on Pinterest. Create a board of all the photos you like and see if you can find a theme. Are they light and bright edits, elegant magazine-like poses?
There are two main elements that play into style - one is the way they take pictures, and the other is how they edit pictures. We'll talk more about that below!
What are the different styles of taking photos?
There are a wide variety of photography styles, and each photography as their own mix and approach. It's somewhat of a spectrum.
At the beginning of the spectrum is a Photojournalistic (often called Documentary) approach. This is characterized by a "hands-off" approach - photos are taken without the photographer's interruption or management. It is the most unscripted form of photography. On the other side of the spectrum is Editorial/Fine Art, where the photographer carefully orchestrates every shot with lots of direction and there is high focus on creating artistic images. In the middle of that spectrum is Traditional/Classic photography. This style focuses on classically posed portraits and the photographer assists in setting up shots to achieve a clean, classic wedding look. Photographers can fall somewhere in between these categories. For example, Rachel Dodson Photography falls somewhere between Documentary and Traditional - we prioritize unscripted moments when appropriate but also direct couples for timeless classic images when appropriate.
What are the different styles of editing photos?
Just like with the styles of taking photos, editing also falls on a spectrum. No two photographers will edit the exact same way. We'll share some of the major categories below, but we recommend curating that wedding Pinterest board so you can find the exact style you love.
Light and Airy - Soft, bright, pastel-like color palette; whites tend to be overexposed slightly for a dreamy feel, and greens and blues may be desaturated to create a soft, romantic look.
True to Color - Colors remain as close to life as possible while adding a pop; whites are nice and crisp, with natural, clean skin tones.
Dark and Moody - Rich, deep shadows with high contrast; darker backgrounds and dramatic lighting are common.
Warm and Golden - Warm, earthy tones with a golden glow, especially in outdoor settings.
Vibrant and Bold - Colors are enhanced to be rich and saturated; works well for dramatic lighting and colorful weddings.
Editorial and High-End - Clean, polished edits and balanced tones; A high-end, luxury aesthetic similar to what’s seen in fashion magazines.
Black and White - Focuses on contrast, texture, and emotion rather than color; timeless and dramatic, often used to highlight powerful moments. Photographers will often include black and white images in wedding galleries because they look great printed.
What is candid vs. posed photography?
This is a fun question that you might get different answers for depending on who you ask. Candid photography can be thought of as photos taken where people are acting naturally with no direction (think of photos at a sports game - the players are behaving naturally). Posed photos involve instruction from the photography on how to stand, what to do with your hands, etc. A lot of people want candid photos (them laughing, walking, having fun together with motion), but true candid photography involves no prompting from the photographer. To achieve "candid" photography, your photography will give you prompts such as "walk to that tree," or "give each other lots of kisses" in hopes of bringing out authentic (candid) moments from that instruction. Photographers who exclusively pose will instruct you into specific poses and have you move into a different pose afterwards. In our experience, most coupes want a blend of both posed and candid feeling images.
About the Photography Packages
Why is wedding photography so expensive?
This is a totally valid question, and we want to give you a straightforward answer. Wedding photography can be expensive for a number of reasons. One of the main factors is the level of time and work that go into each wedding. The average wedding photographer spends anywhere from 40-60 hours working on a single wedding between communication with the couple, preparing for the wedding, shooting, editing, and delivering a gallery and any other inclusions. While that sounds like a typical workweek, all of this is taking place while other weddings and projects are also happening. Many photographers book every weekend and sometimes have back-to-back weddings in one weekend! Woah!
Another reason is the level of pressure that comes with weddings. Photographers take on a lot of stress during a wedding day, often doing more than "just" taking photos. Many photographers end up assisting in keeping things on schedule, helping with wedding mishaps or problems, and sometimes don't get to take a break for most of the day. We've pinned on boutonniere's, zipped up wedding dresses, transported rings to the venue, skipped lunch, held off on bathroom breaks, dealt with upset guests and families, and much more!
Some other key factors include level of experience, the costs of maintaining reliable equipment, and the type of experience being provided to couples.
The wonderful news is that there are photographers at every price point. No matter your budget, you'll be able to find a photographer who fits in your price range! We'll talk more below about finding the right photographer.
What is a "second shooter" and what's the point?
If you browse a photographer's website, chances are they'll say something in their wedding package about a second shooter (or second photographer). Second shooters have become popular on wedding days because they allow for more photos to be accomplished in less time, as well as offer a different perspective on things so you get more photos. A second shooter will usually be a friend of the photographer. Some may use the same second shooters regularly, others may find someone new for every wedding. A second shooter may or may not be included in a wedding package, so that's something to look out for! Rachel Dodson Photography is a husband-and-wife team, so we include 2 photographers who work seamlessly together at every wedding to make sure your wedding is captured to the fullest.
What are "printing rights."
According to Federal Copyright Law, all photographs taken by a photographer are automatically owned by that photographer (just like if you take a photo on your phone, you own that image). Typically, photographers will keep the ownership of their images but provide rights to couples to use the photos for printing, sharing, or any other personal use. This means you can do things like hang the photos on your wall, share them with your family, and post them online to show friends. You typically cannot sell your photos or use them for commercial purposed (like advertising). All of this is usually outlined in your wedding photography contract.
What is wedding photography contract?
A wedding photography contract is very similar to your wedding venue contract. You and the photographer both sign off on a document outlining the expectations for working together. Contracts are designed to protect both you and the photographer. The contract protects you by outlining what you can expect from your photographer so that in the event they do not follow through with that, you can hold them accountable. The contract protects the photographer by covering things like liability and making sure what they're offering you is super clear so there is no confusion.
Contracts usually include the following information: wedding package inclusions, delivery timeline of images, fee breakdown, liability, copyright information, printing rights, payment stipulations, and cancellation policies.
Why do some photographers offer a "complimentary engagement session?"
A complimentary engagement session is a free session that allows you to get some great images to use for your wedding decor, save the dates, or invitations. It's also a perfect opportunity to get to know your photographer and get comfortable in front of the camera. Engagement sessions always make getting photos taken on the wedding day easier - you're comfortable with the person taking photos and you already know how to pose!
How do I decide how much wedding coverage I need?
This will vary depending on your wedding plans and expectations of photos. 8 hours is considered a "standard" amount of time to hire a wedding photographer; however, if you're having a smaller wedding, you simply don't need 8 hours! Typically, packages will range from 4 - 10 hours. Generally speaking, if you only want the main parts of a wedding day covered (ceremony and some reception), you'll be looking at 4-6 hours. If you want the majority of the day covered from getting ready to your grand exit, you'll be looking at 8 - 10 hours. Make sure to ask your photographer for their input! If you're going back and forth between packages, we recommend starting with the smaller package and building up if your photographer allows that.
What are "RAWs" and can I ask for them?
RAW is a fancy name for the file type that most photographers take photos in. You might be familiar with JPEG, that's the most standard format for pictures, and that's usually the file type your receive from your photographer. RAW is an image type that most people can't open on their phones or computers, and if we're being honest, they look pretty rough in their natural state. We take the RAWs and edit them into the final JPEGs you get! Most photographers do not share their unedited original files with clients because they aren't really good looking or helpful. It's kind of like handing you a car without any keys - you can't really do anything with it! If you do choose to ask your photographer for RAWs, they will be quite expensive to obtain if they agree to sell them. This is because they are the original file (kind of like how an original painting is way more valuable than a recreation) and don't accurately reflect the final product of the creator.
What is a shot list?
You may have seen on some wedding help site an example of a shot list. It's essentially a list of all the photos that need to be taken throughout a wedding day. This is something your photographer will usually work with you on. Because wedding photographers do this so frequently, we're pretty tuned into what we need to take photos of, so you don't need to make a list saying "photo of bouquet" or "bride with bridesmaids." We recommend letting your photographer know if there are any unique things you want photos of (like the special pendant attached to your bouquet, or your relatives visiting form overseas). It's a good idea to have a meeting with your photographer before the wedding to talk over expectations of what photos will be taken.
What is "turnaround time?"
Because photographers are working on multiple projects at one time, the time it takes for you to get your photos back (turnaround time), can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks. Your contract should include a specific window of time that you can expect. Some photographers offer sneak peeks anywhere from 24-hours to 1 week after the wedding, so make sure to ask about that!
What is a "retainer?"
When you book your photographer, they will ask for a payment to secure the date on their calendar. The language differs, but usually the words are retainer, deposit, initial payment, or down payment. Typically, your contract will say this amount is non-refundable in the event you cancel the services. This is because the photographer has already put work into your wedding services and may be unable to rebook that same date. The retainer amount varies by photographer depending on their business structure.
About the Photographer
How do I know if a photographer is good?
The simple answer is that a photographer is good if you like their work, who they are, and what they do! It's important to remember that you're getting not just photos, but the person who takes the photos. This person will be with you throughout your whole wedding day, so we think it's important to love them just as much as you love their work!
Here's a more technical answer on how to spot a good photographer.
They have a variety of work to display and it's all consistent looking
They have positive reviews from past clients or other wedding vendors
They use quality gear (cameras and lenses) and processes (invoicing system, editing software) to make sure their work is professional
They have a great attitude and are clear in their communication and information
How do I pick the right photographer?
Choosing a wedding photographer is no easy task! It can be difficult to find someone that checks off all the boxes. The best advice we can give is do your research! Really browse their website, any information guides, and their social media to get a sense of their work. Take time to find styles and looks you love and search for photographers on social media, ask for recommendations, and do lots of Google searches. If you inquire with them, make sure you book a phone call or meet in person to have a real conversation where you can ask each other questions to see if your visions align.
How do I find a photographer?
You've already found one (heyy)! But really, searching is not fun, we've been there. Always ask for friends/family recommendations, try searching on social media, and make sure to browse the internet. On social media and Google, try typing in "[My City] Wedding Photographer." When you search on Google, keep in mind that the first couple photographers that pop up may have paid to be there, and some websites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Zola also feature vendors who've paid to be shown first. We also recommend finding Facebook Groups for local weddings (like Virginia Weddings, Virginia Bridal Network) and posting about your specific wedding photography needs there so vendors can comment with their information. It's also a great idea to ask your wedding venue for recommendations as they often keep a list of photographers they've worked with!
What should I think about when looking for a photographer?
Style - Make sure you love their editing and their posing/approach to taking photos throughout a wedding day.
Personality - Does the photographer seem like someone you would get along with? Can you imagine them being by your side for 8 hours?
Must-haves - What key things do you want to make sure are included with your wedding package? These could be things like 2 photographers, an engagement session, or an included photo album
Budget - This may seem like an obvious one. You will see photographers who may feel out of your budget. If you love their work enough, consider if you're willing to be flexible with your budget. Many photographers offer payment plans, so if you're getting married a way out, you'll have time to financially plan for any additional expense. If you don't have wiggle room, are you willing to book a smaller backage and focus on having a smaller portion of your day photographed by the photographer you love?
