Signs a Wedding Photographer Might Not Be Right for You

Photo Illustration - an underdressed photographer taking a picture of a bride on her wedding day while everything is on fire.

A wedding photographer is more than just a pretty Instagram grid; they’re a trusty sidekick on your wedding day. So, you want to be sure you’re getting a good one even if they’re taking pretty pictures.

What are the biggest red flags that a photographer won’t be a fit for you?

1)      Bad Communication – If your photographer is taking eons to respond to emails or messages from the start, it’s a bad sign. Think about it: if it takes them a week to get back to you when they want to take your money, imagine how that’s going to feel when you have a burning question or a deadline. Vague answers and terse emails are also bad; you will have enough stress planning a wedding.

2)      Instagram-only portfolio – Carefully curated portfolios are fine as a teaser but if a prospective photographer will only show you a highlight reel and not a full gallery then they’re maybe hiding something. Before you book you want to see a whole wedding day and not just the greatest hits.

3)      No Clear Contract – A mutual nod of respect is no basis for an important business relationship, especially with your wedding photographer. You want a proper contract that lays out what you’re getting, when you’re getting it, and what will happen when something goes wrong. If they’re promising something substantive and not putting it in writing, they may as well not promise it.

4)      No Backup Plan – A wedding photographer needs to be prepared for things to go wrong. For the couple a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and they shouldn’t be stopped by a bad battery. Your photographer should be able to tell you what happens when Murphy’s Law hits.

5)      No Reviews or a Sketchy Reputation – This could mean that they’re super new (sometimes getting review from clients is like pulling teeth) or they’ve scrubbed their online presence. Ask around with your other vendors or in local groups if anyone has heard of them.

6)      Rock-Bottom Rates – It’s expensive to get married in New England, so bargain hunting is completely understandable but if you’re looking for an experienced photographer, prices well below the market should get you asking questions. Wedding photography takes time, skill, and costly gear, and someone charging pennies might not be covering all their bases.

Sometimes you’re willing to trade off one headache for lower prices, but that’s a choice you should make with your eyes open. But if you want an experienced wedding photographer whose biggest red flag is that he’s calculated how much he gets paid per hour to eat cake, then e-mail me.

Ryan Richardson is a wedding and engagement photographer serving Boston and beyond; including Cape Cod Weddings, New England Weddings, Massachusetts Weddings and Rhode Island Weddings