Choosing the perfect wedding photographer is no easy task. Between photography style, wedding experience, and overall personality, there are a lot of things to consider when booking one! To help ya out a bit, I put together a list of things to think about to assist you in choosing the perfect Oregon wedding photographer.

You have to love their photography style

When you’re searching for the perfect Oregon wedding photographer, their photography style is probably one of the first things that draws you. When you’re browsing on Instagram or Pinterest, you’re browsing what makes each photographer unique. There are countless different editing and photography styles, and no one is better than the other! As you browse social media, take note of which photos stand out to you.

For example, I would describe my photography style as warm, dreamy, and raw. I don't ever hold back on capturing those crazy candids and impromptu kisses. If you’re a fan of that style, then I’d probably be the perfect photographer for you!

Along with loving their photography style, you should also make sure their editing is consistent. Before making a final decision, ask to see full wedding galleries to see a day from start to finish.

Do their values align with yours?

Remember: wedding photographers are people too. We all have different sets of values and principles that we strive to live by. When searching for an Oregon wedding photographer, make sure that they are openly inclusive of all genders, sexualities, races, and colors. A quick and easy way to do this is by taking a look at their Instagram and website. Do they have photos of people of color, as well as queer couples? If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to send them a DM or email to ask what their values are.

How much real wedding experience do they have?

This is a huge one… how much experience do they have photographing real PNW weddings? In case you haven’t heard, it rains a lot here. An experienced Oregon wedding photographer won’t be derailed if we have a few (hundred) drops on your wedding day. Not every photographer is comfortable shooting in the infamous PNW weather, so make sure to check with them before making a decision!

In addition, you’ll want to make sure they have the proper gear to shoot in inclement weather as well. Again, photographers who are just starting out may not have the gear they need for rainy weather quite yet. It would be devastating to hire a wedding photographer you love, only for you to be disappointed in your photos because of unexpected weather.

Will they help with the planning process?

Now, there are wedding & elopement planners for a reason. Your photographer shouldn’t be given the responsibility of coordinating your vendors, setting up your ceremony/reception, and other tasks like that. But, you Oregon wedding photographer should assist you with:

Finding the perfect location that fits your vision
Knowing what time of day would be best for your desired photos & creating a timeline
Recommending wedding vendors
Supporting you throughout the entire process

Some photographers prefer to “stay in their lane” and provide photography and photography only. If that’s the type of photographer you’re looking for, then we probably won’t be the best fit! From the moment you inquire with me, I’m already thinking about how we can craft the wedding of your dreams based on the info you provide via my contact form.

Do you think you’ll get along with them on a personal level?

Your photographer will be the vendor that’s with you the most throughout your wedding day. With that in mind, you’ll want to make sure you like hangin’ out with them! You can get a sense of their personality through their Instagram and usually the “About” page on their website. If you’re still in the super early stages of planning and don’t have anything finalized, you can also book a couples session with them to get a feel of what it would be like to work with them for your big day.

Perks of hiring an Oregon local photographer

They’ll know all the local spots

I’ve been in the PNW for quite some time, so I pride myself in suggesting the best local spots for my couples! When we’re in the midst of planning, I’ll give personalized recommendations based on what your overall vision is. In addition to this, you’ll receive an entire wedding planning guide (written by yours truly) with tons of location suggestions and if I’m being honest, lots of other cool stuff.

They’ll have personal vendor recommendations

When you’re a local wedding photographer, you develop relationships with a lot of other local vendors. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many amazing vendors all throughout the PNW, and I’m always recommending them to my couples! Vendors are never a one-size-fits-all, so all of my recommendations will be personalized to you and your wedding. That’s the benefit of having a network: I’m able to handpick which ones I think would be the best fit!

How to Choose an Oregon Wedding Photographer

I hope this blog post has helped you figure out exactly how to choose an Oregon wedding photographer! If you’re thinking “Sarah, I think you would be the perfect photographer for us,” then let’s chat! To learn a little more about me, you can click here to hear my story. When you’re ready to inquire, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours. In the meantime, let’s connect on Instagram so I can start celebrating with you!