What I Wish I Knew Before Choosing My Wedding Photographer
What should you really look for… when searching for your wedding photographer.
If you’ve read my “About Me,” you might already know why I became a Melbourne wedding photographer. But if you haven’t — here’s the short version:
We had a photographer who produced technically beautiful images… but his attitude on the day?
It could have ruined our day if we’d let it.
The way he spoke and acted left a sour feeling — and we can literally see that discomfort on our faces in some of the photos, even though we were trying so hard to hide it.
He would be someone’s perfect photographer.. but we just didn’t gel.
We didn’t take ourselves seriously, the perfect posed photo wasn’t our priority and that wasn’t the vibe he wanted.
That is HUGE. That’s one of the lasting memories of one of the most special days of our lives.
Here's what I wish I knew before hiring a wedding photographer in Melbourne:
Your photographer is with you almost all day.
They’re not just snapping photos — they’re there, in your space, witnessing and interacting with every important moment.
You think about how carefully you choose your bridal party, you pick the people who hype you up, who make you feel loved and supported, the ones who laugh along with your jokes. The same intention needs to go into choosing your wedding photographer.
I thought:
He fits our budget.
We liked his photos.
His Google reviews looked good.
We did the Zoom meeting.
He seemed nice.
So we thought: Cool, let’s do this.
But what I didn’t know is,
Your photographer is basically a third wheel on your wedding day.
The vibe matters just as much as the visuals.
The little things make the moments that extra bit special if this matters to you it needs to matter to your photographer too.
Here’s something I wish I’d known: your photographer’s personality is just as important as their portfolio. You’ll spend more time with them than almost anyone else on your wedding day so the way you connect really matters.
It’s easy to get swept up in comparing prices and pretty photos (we did too), but take a moment to dig a little deeper. Read their “About Me” page. Browse through full galleries not just the highlight reels.
Do they seem like someone who values the same things you do?
Are there lots of candid moments, quiet in-betweens, and emotional memories or is everything super posed?
Do they capture details that matter to you? like family hugs, teary speeches, the way your toddler climbs onto your lap during the ceremony, the table decor, your jewelry?
These things might seem small now, but they become everything when you look back. So don’t just choose someone whose photos you like — choose someone whose heart you connect with, too.
I so wish I’d known how important it is to talk about more than just packages and logistics.
To talk about what we value as a couple.
That our son is the most important person in our lives and we wanted most of our photos with him.
That the reception decor was made and personally chosen by us, and we wanted it documented.
That guests had flown across the world to be with us, and those moments needed to be captured.
That traditional portraits weren’t our priority and that’s okay.
I said these things But I didn’t know how to say any of it and know I was heard.
Now, as a wedding photographer in Melbourne who specializes in emotional, storytelling-driven photography, I want you to know this:
You’re allowed to tell us what matters most to you.
That’s why I, and many other Melbourne wedding photographers who focus on candid & cinematic wedding photography, include detailed questionnaires.
We want to know what will fill your heart when you look back at your day.
We want you to look at your photos and not just think, “Oh, these are pretty,” but to feel the joy, the love, the realness of it all.
The next important thing I wish every couple knew before they book their wedding photographer.
Only book a wedding photographer whose style you truly love.
“A friend asked their photographer to edit their photos in a different style and was surprised when they said no.”
Here is why… Photographers spend years learning how to develop a consistent look. To most of us, our work is our art. It’s how we see the world — the same way a painter might look at a mountain and choose colours that feel right to them.
You wouldn’t ask a painter to repaint a scene in a different style if it didn’t match their work, right?
So don’t feel bad about asking questions, we love when you do!
Don’t be afraid to share what’s meaningful to you.
And most of all — pick someone whose work AND presence will add to your day, not take from it.
Because you deserve to walk away with not just beautiful wedding photos, but a beautiful experience — with memories that feel real, heartfelt, and completely you.
💌 Looking for a Melbourne wedding photographer who gets you?
I’d love to hear all about your vision, your story, and what truly matters most to you.
Let’s create photos that feel like your love — honest, timeless, and full of heart.
