How Do I Pick the Right Wedding Photographer or Videographer?
Planning a wedding comes with a thousand decisions—but few are as lasting as who you choose to capture the day. Long after the music fades and the flowers wilt, your photos and film are what you'll return to for years. So how do you pick the right person (or team) for the job?
As someone who offers both wedding photography and filmmaking through By Dasoni, I’ve learned that it’s not just about style or price—it’s about trust, connection, and understanding what truly matters to you.
Start With How You Would like Feel on Your Wedding Day
Do you find yourself drawn to soft, emotional storytelling or bold, editorial vibes? Do you love movement and sound, or quiet, timeless portraits? Do you enjoy being in the spotlight, or would you rather stay present in the moment without too much direction?
You are, of course, the star of the day—but that doesn’t mean you have to follow every must-do or should-do. Your day can be captured in a documentary style that allows you to simply be yourself, with minimal posing and pressure.
Watch wedding films. Scroll through photo galleries. Pay attention to what stirs something in you—that emotional pull is a compass, guiding you toward the kind of artist who can bring your vision to life. As you explore, start gathering what speaks to you: screen grabs, images, or clips of videos that resonate. Tools like Pinterest and Dropbox are perfect for organizing your inspiration. Once you’ve compiled everything, you’ll have a clearer sense of what you’re looking for—a personal visual guide that makes conversations with photographers or videographers more focused, intentional, and aligned with your story.
Know What You’re Looking For
Once you’ve discovered the feeling or mood you want to experience on your special day, it’s time to express it clearly. Beyond just having a “nice photographer” or a “good video,” there are moments and emotions that must be captured—and your team won’t know that unless you tell them.
I’ve seen many couples miss the opportunity to ask specific, meaningful questions that help photographers and videographers truly understand what matters most.
Maybe you want a photographer to capture a few elegant portraits, but prefer to spend the rest of the day immersed in candid, unposed moments with your closest people. Or perhaps your focus is on documenting your love story in full—your vows, your laughter, the quiet tears, and the rhythm of the dance floor.
Whatever it is, say it out loud—and say it clearly. Depending on the complexity of your vision, your photographer or videographer can guide you on what needs to be prepared ahead of time. Our role isn’t just about capturing beautiful visuals; it’s about translating your love story on your special day into meaningful, beautiful visuals. The clearer you are, the more we can tailor our approach to honor and elevate your story.
Personality Is Everything
One of the worst things that can happen on your wedding day is placing your trust in someone you don’t like or feel comfortable around. Your photographer or videographer isn't just another vendor—they’re the one guiding you through intimate, emotional moments. That’s why your first call or Zoom meeting matters. This is when you need to trust your instincts—your gut rarely lies.
It might sound surprising, but you’ll likely spend more time with your photographer than even your partner on the day of. Aside from breaks and quiet moments, your dedicated photographer or videographer should be present and attentive, ready to capture every meaningful detail (more on this later).
So ask yourself:
Are they calming? Do they listen? Do they understand your vision without you having to over-explain?
This is a relationship. Feeling seen, heard, and understood by your photo/video team changes everything—not just before the wedding, but throughout the entire experience. You should feel at ease in their presence, so you can be fully yourself.
There’s no checklist for this kind of connection. So when in doubt? Trust your gut.
Ask to See Full Stories
Over the years, I’ve worked with many different wedding photographers, wedding videographers and big wedding studios, and each one interprets the day in their own way. That difference becomes very clear in how they present their work in full picture.
I’m not saying highlights aren’t important—but the full story matters in its own way. Some artists focus solely on curated shots or highlight film, often overlooking meaningful, candid moments—not out of carelessness, but simply because it’s not part of their artistic approach. Asking to see a full wedding story helps you understand what a photographer or videographer is naturally drawn to. You must ask for the full stories if you are considering buying one of course.
Just like every couple is different, every artist is unique. Personally, I aim to capture everything—even when the lighting isn’t ideal or the composition isn’t perfect—because real moments don’t always happen under perfect conditions.
Terms like “composition” and “lighting” help us create beautiful visuals, but at its core, photography and videography began as a way to document life before becoming art forms. That purpose still matters.
I’ve even heard stories of artists missing important moments because they stepped away for a smoke or a drink. That’s why personality and commitment matter just as much as artistic style.
So, when it comes to wedding photography, ask to see a full wedding gallery—from getting ready to the ceremony, reception, and all the transitions in between. For wedding videography, ask to view a few full collections that include both highlight reels and complete edits.
However, don’t treat the absence of full coverage as an automatic red flag. It could simply reflect the artist’s stage in their career or the structure of their business—whether they’re a studio or a freelancer. In some cases, couples may have opted out of full coverage due to budget or personal preferences.
What matters most is asking the question and seeing how the artist responds. Their answer will help you understand how they work—and how that aligns with what you’re looking for.
Seeing the full story gives you a real sense of how a wedding day is captured from beginning to end, not just through the “best of” moments.
Budget Is Important—But So Is Clarity through Communication
Budget is a real and important part of planning a wedding. No matter how special the day is, the decisions you make should feel sensible and sustainable—for everyone involved. That includes you, your partner, and the artist you hire.
Being budget-conscious doesn’t mean you can’t find great work. But it does mean you need to be especially clear about your expectations. When budgets are tight, something may have to give—whether that’s the amount of coverage, the level of experience, the quality of equipment, or the size of the creative team.
That’s why asking honest, thoughtful, and realistic questions is so important. When money is tight, clarity and active communication are your greatest tools. Use the strategies in this post to find a photographer or videographer who respects your budget and is willing to work within it—while also helping you understand what’s truly possible.
Trust that the right decisions—even with limitations—can still lead to a beautiful outcome. A great match isn’t always the most expensive option—it’s the one who aligns with your vision, communicates with honesty, and makes you feel genuinely cared for.
Couple(?) of Nice Questions for you to know when to ask
About Their Approach & Fit
How would you describe your style when directing—or not directing—couples during the day?
How do you handle moments that aren’t picture-perfect (bad lighting, tight spaces, unpredictable weather)?
Do you gravitate more toward storytelling, editorial, or candid documentation? Can you share why?
How do you typically interact with the couple throughout the day? Are you more involved or more discreet?
About the Full Story & Real Examples
Can I see a full gallery or full-length wedding film, including less polished parts of the day (like reception lighting or in-between moments)?
Can you walk me through how you captured a couple with a similar vision or venue as mine?
About Boundaries & Expectations
Are there limits to revisions, shoot time, or requests once the day starts?
What happens if I want to extend coverage on the day of the wedding?
What are examples of reasonable vs. excessive requests from past clients? I want to respect your boundaries.
About Budget Clarity & Realism
If my budget is X, what kind of coverage or experience would you realistically recommend within that range?
Is there anything that couples often don’t realize isn’t included in a base package?
What compromises do couples usually make when trying to stay within a tighter budget?
About Presence & Commitment
Are you the one who will be there on the day? If not, how do you ensure the person assigned understands our vision?
How do you ensure that no key moments are missed—especially during fast-moving or chaotic parts of the day?