Choosing your wedding photographer is about SO much more than just pretty pictures—it’s about finding someone you trust to tell your story, someone who can capture the quiet moments, the in-between glances, and the overall feeling of the day without taking you away from the events of the day.

Whether you’re just beginning to search for your wedding vendors, honing in on your favorites, asking the right questions can give you clarity (and peace of mind) before you book. As a documentary wedding photographer based in New England, I want to share five of the most helpful questions couples have asked me over the years—plus what those answers can tell you about whether someone is the right fit for you.

Can We See a Full Gallery?

This question’s been buzzing around more lately, and honestly, it’s one I’ve never needed to be asked—because I always include a full gallery (or a few!) when I respond to inquiries. Let’s be real: not every moment is Instagram-worthy, and social media barely scratches the surface of a full wedding day. Sharing a full gallery gives you a better feel for how a photographer captures everything—the big sweet-like-honey moments and the quiet ones too.

But once you have that gallery, what should you actually be looking for? I recommend noticing whether their editing style feels like you, if their work is consistent from start to finish, how they handle different lighting (hello, indoor ceremony and golden hour portraits!), how they tell the story of the day, and how they capture emotion. This is your one and only wedding day—you deserve to feel confident that your photographer will document it the way you imagine it.

Here’s a peek at one of my full wedding galleries →

What is Your Photography Style & Approach on a Wedding Day?

Like I said above, feeling confident that your wedding photographer will document your day the way you envision it is so important—and that really comes down to their style. If you’re drawn to a more editorial look, but the photographer you’re speaking with leans documentary, chances are their approach won’t match what you’re hoping for. Or if you’re looking for a fly-on-the-wall presence, but they’re more hands-on, curating lots of moments and focusing heavily on formal portraits—you might find yourselves a little out of sync.

If someone asked me this question, I’d say: I’m a documentary-style photographer who values the real, raw, and unposed moments shared between you and your favorite people. I’m an observer before anything else—quietly watching for the way you two look at each other throughout your day, or the moment your grandmother wipes a tear from her cheek. Of course, there’s a time and place for portraits (and we’ll get those!), but if your priority is being present on your wedding day while I capture everything unfolding naturally, then I might be the right fit for you.

Here’s what one of my couples, who wanted a documentary-focused gallery, had to say:

Jess is an incredible photographer. From the way she made us feel comfortable and heard throughout the planning process, to how she handled everything on the wedding day, to the absolutely stunning photos she took – we couldn’t have asked for a better experience! Jess listened to what we wanted and delivered just that – raw, meaningful moments. Every photo captures the emotion and warmth of the moment so beautifully that we’re reliving the best day every time we look at them. She even caught the moments we weren’t present for which is such a gift to get to see.

What Happens After We Book?

Booking your photographer is just the start of the journey—you’ll have months or maybe even a year leading up to your wedding day! Every photographer handles this part a little differently. Some are super hands-on and will guide you through planning with resources, check-ins, and timeline building. Others might be more hands-off until it’s closer to the big day. Neither is right or wrong—it just depends on what you’re hoping for when it comes to support and communication.

For example, once couples book with me, I send over a Welcome Guide full of tips for engagement sessions, wedding day planning, vendor recs, and more. I also stay in touch with questionnaires, location and outfit guides, check-ins, and calls to build your timeline together. I even send the final timeline to your vendor team ahead of time so the day flows like a dream (because you shouldn’t have to worry about a thing except popping champagne).

The more you know about what working with a photographer looks like after booking, the easier it’ll be to find someone who’ll have your back and keep things stress-free from start to finish. At the end of the day, choosing your wedding photographer isn’t just about loving their photos—it’s about the experience they provide, too.

What If You’ve Never Photographed at Our Venue?

Every photographer handles new spaces differently. Some photographers feel more comfortable when they’ve worked at a venue before, while others are used to stepping into totally new places and creating magic on the fly. It’s important to know how adaptable your photographer is and what their approach looks like when they’re working somewhere for the first time—especially if your venue has unique lighting, tricky layouts, or big outdoor spaces.

For me, photographing a new venue is actually something I love! I always show up early on the wedding day to scout out the best spots for portraits, check the lighting, and get inspired by the textures and scenery. Plus, I always do my homework ahead of time—whether that’s online research or a site visit if it makes sense. Walking into a new space gives me fresh eyes and lets me create images that feel one-of-a-kind, not cookie-cutter.

How Do You Handle Different Lighting Situations?

Lighting is one of the biggest variables on a wedding day—you could be getting ready in a cozy, dark hotel room, having your ceremony under a blazing midday sun, and dancing the night away under twinkle lights. Each of those moments needs a different technique behind the camera, and not every photographer has the same solution to different lighting.

This is why it’s so important to ask about! You want to feel confident that no matter what the weather or the vibe throws your way, your photographer can handle it with no hesitation. A good and trustworthy photographer will know how to work with what they’ve got—whether that’s using natural light beautifully, bringing out flash gear when needed, or making magic even when the lighting isn’t perfect.

For example, I’m all about working with real lighting and keeping things true to the moment. I know how to shoot in everything from soft, natural window light to dark, ambient spaces and bring in flash when it’s needed to keep your gallery feeling vibrant and cohesive. You deserve to look and feel amazing in every part of your day—not just the golden hour ones.

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Choosing your wedding photographer isn’t just about if they produce goof work. It’s about making sure you vibe with their style, trust their process, and feel absolutely confident that they’ll handle every part of your day with care—even the ones you didn’t plan for. Asking these questions is about making sure you’re investing in someone who feels like the right fit for you. So, if you’re buzzing with excitement and think we might be a match, I’d love to hear from you!