How to Choose the Right Dallas Wedding Photographer (2022)

Mackenzie Reiter of Mackenzie Reiter Photography wearing an ethereal white dress as she descends down the steps of a vintage location; image overlaid with text that reads How to Choose the Right Dallas Wedding Photographer

I love the beauty of weddings, and capturing the sweet moments in between when no one thinks anyone is looking. Sharing the fun and playful images I capture with my clients after their big day is such a joy! When planning your wedding, one of the biggest ticket items in your budget is your wedding photographer. But how do you choose the right Dallas wedding photographer for your special day? I’m going to share a few things I recommend considering when you are trying to decide who you ultimately pick to capture your big day.

Chemistry Between You and Your Dallas Wedding Photographer

Chemistry is something you really should consider when deciding who you will have shooting your wedding day. Having comfort and ease with your photographer will help you relax as they move about the room and capture photos. Do you want someone who is more calm and encouraging? Or do you prefer someone who makes you laugh and creates fun when they are around? These are all things to think about when you are deciding who to choose. If their personality is not one that you feel at ease with, then it may not be a great fit for you. Take some time to ask them questions and allow them to do the same. Spending time together for a consultation can usually give you a good feel for how you two will work together. Bride and groom smile and laugh as bride hugs groom from behind while holding her bridal bouquet

Bride and groom smile and laugh as bride hugs groom from behind while holding her bridal bouquet

Is Their Style Compatible With Your Vision?

When you’re meeting with a potential photographer, it’s important to share as much about your wedding as possible to make sure that you’re on the same page, and that they are confident that they can deliver what you’re looking for. Share with them the venue you have chosen, and see if they are familiar with it and also comfortable shooting there. Let them know the wedding party and guest count. If the Dallas wedding photographer has a specific niche they are experts in, they may not be a viable option for you. For example, some may only shoot outdoor weddings, while others may only work with couples who are eloping. Just some things to think about.

Style Is Important When Choosing a Dallas Wedding Photographer

Every photographer has a style that their artwork tends to lean towards. Just like the detail and planning you have put into your wedding, photographers’ images and editing styles can either fit wonderfully with your vision or they can be very different. When selecting a wedding photographer, an important step is looking at their portfolio. The images you find will give a good idea of the type of style and expertise they have. You can see my portfolio here as an example. Bride and groom standing at the altar by the end of the aisle along with their wedding guests during their outdoor romantic chapel wedding

Bride and groom standing at the altar by the end of the aisle along with their wedding guests during their outdoor romantic chapel wedding

Things you should consider are the color tones and mood of the photos. Are they light and bright, or do the images lean towards a moody and romantic feel? What vision are you imagining for your day and will this photographer’s style capture that? If so, then let’s look at the next tip for deciding how to choose the right Dallas wedding photographer.

Look for Quality and Consistency

We just discussed the style of the photographer’s work, but you also need to look at the quality of their work. The photographer’s portfolio is a great place to start. Ask to see different weddings they’ve shot, and look at the various images they captured throughout the day. Are the quality and style of the images consistent throughout the album? Are the finished (edited) images consistent throughout their body of work? You want to make sure that the editing style that caught your eye and made you look at potentially working with this Dallas wedding photographer is something that they consistently deliver with each and every event they shoot.

Creative Freedom or More Structure

Another thing to think about when choosing your Dallas wedding photographer is what their creative freedom level is. Do they like to have more creative freedom to capture moments as they happen, not really working off of a list of images they need to get throughout the day? Or does the photographer feel more comfortable going off of a checklist of shots when working a wedding? A bride and groom smile and throw their hands in the air after their ceremony in Paris, France.

A bride and groom smile and throw their hands in the air after their ceremony in Paris, France.

Whichever one you prefer is what matters, so just make sure you have a clear understanding of how they will capture those special moments throughout your big day. If there are pictures you absolutely must have, again, have that conversation upfront. You’ll be glad you did!

Do They Deliver Value For The Money You Are Paying?

When looking at their pricing, make sure you have done some research on what the average cost for a Dallas wedding photographer is. Now, keep in mind that, the more experienced and established a photographer is, their prices may be higher. But you are paying for that level of expertise and artistry so if that is something you want, make sure you plan for that. Having a general understanding of what the price ranges are in your area will help you plan your budget upfront, and also make sure you are choosing a photographer that delivers excellent value for what you are paying them. Look at their packages and review their add-on options to make sure you can get what you need/want, and are not paying for things you don’t need or want. Bride and groom hold hands in the middle of a stairway in front of a Victorian mansion for their styled shoot

Bride and groom hold hands in the middle of a stairway in front of a Victorian mansion for their styled shoot

If you are a couple who wants engagement photos taken then make sure you discuss how they charge for that session in addition to the wedding day. I love taking engagement photos because for me it is a great opportunity and time to get to know the couple and for the three of us to learn how we best work together. Here are some images of the shoots I’ve done for my clients’ engagements you can see here.

Does Your Dallas Wedding Photographer Give You Copyrights or Printing Rights

When you have decided on your perfect Dallas wedding photographer, make sure you discuss with them whether you will get copyrights to your images or to printing rights. You really only need printing rights in order to select the images you want and then have them printed off. Most of the time a photographer is not going to give away copyrights, as the work (images) belong to them since they took them. Another thing to consider asking is about the size and the format that they send the images in – if you want larger photos printed off, make sure you let them know that.

The Right Dallas Wedding Photographer Is Out There!

I hope these tips have been useful in helping you choose the right Dallas wedding photographer for you! I know the importance of planning your special day. Even more importantly, being able to have the treasure of those sweet moments captured on film, and the ability to look back on the day it all started throughout your marriage. It truly has been a pleasure sharing these tips with you – all the best in choosing the right Dallas wedding photographer for your special day! If you’re interested in my photography style and you want to talk about working together, I’d love to talk. Get in touch!