Choosing a wedding photographer: What Illinois Couples Need To Keep In Mind.
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer You’ll Love
Your wedding day will fly by in a blur of happy tears, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Once the music fades and the flowers dry, your photos will be the lasting reminder of your day. That’s why choosing the right wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your planning journey. Here’s how to find the photographer you’ll truly love and trust to capture your story.
1. Define Your Style
Before you begin browsing portfolios, think about what kind of photography speaks to you. Do you love:
Classic & timeless portraits – elegant, posed images.
Documentary/candid style – natural, in-the-moment storytelling.
Fine art/editorial – dramatic, styled, and magazine-worthy.
Moody & romantic – warm tones with emotional depth.
Knowing your preference will help you narrow your search to photographers whose style matches your vision. On our website, we make sure that we post pictures from nearly all the weddings we have. I always encourage people to look at the “inspiration” area of the website. Find the photos they like the best. They are all distinctly different and gives a great idea of the photographers shooting style.
2. Research and Compare Portfolios
Spend time looking through photographers’ websites and social media. A portfolio should showcase full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels. Pay attention to:
How they capture emotions.
Consistency across lighting situations (day, night, indoors, outdoors).
The balance between posed portraits and candid shots.
This ensures you’ll know what your entire album might look like—not just the best moments.
3. Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations Reviews from past couples can give you valuable insight into a photographer’s personality, professionalism, and reliability. Ask friends or your venue coordinator for referrals too—venues often know which photographers are easy to work with and familiar with the space.
4. Meet in Person (or Virtually)
Your photographer will be with you for almost every part of your day—from getting ready to the final dance. Schedule a meeting or video call to see if your personalities click. Do they put you at ease? Are they genuinely interested in your story? Chemistry matters as much as skill. You will definitely want to hire someone that makes you feel comfortable to be around. You are going to be spending a lot of time with them and they are going to be capturing these moments. You will be able to read your faces in the pictures, so make sure they look happy and not uncomfortable. Additionally, if you have a type A personality and you have someone that is really laid back, doesn’t take charge, unsure of what’s next, etc. that will show on your face, as well. And you really don’t want that for your forever pics.
5. Review Packages and What’s Included
Every photographer structures packages differently. Ask about:
Hours of coverage.
Number of photographers or assistants.
Engagement sessions*.
Albums, prints, or digital galleries.
Turnaround time for edited images.
Choose a package that fits your needs and your budget, while also reflecting the value of quality photography.
*Anyone getting married at the PBC Venue is welcome to use our grounds for their engagement pics at no cost.
6. Ask About Backup Plans, Timelines and Vendor Communication
Professional photographers always have contingency plans. Ask if they carry backup equipment, and what happens if they’re unable to shoot due to illness or emergencies. Peace of mind is priceless and planning for that is the key.
The photographer should also be supplying their own timeline to the event planner and DJ. All professional vendors communicate with each other to stay on the overall timeline. However, a real, professional photographer will have their own list of “must shoots”, along with general timeline. They communicate with the rest of the team before your wedding day to make sure that all plans are aligned with each other.
It is a major red flag to us at Pole Barn Chic when a vendor comes in, does not speak to anyone and just takes pictures. There are too many variables that play into the couple and their families for individual game. We are a team on the wedding day. It may just be you and your fiancé’s big day, but it is the vendor’s responsibility to make it flawless.
All of the vendors in the wedding business communicate with each other and make sure that we are all on the same page.
I strongly encourage you to ask to see a timeline that your photographer made for previous weddings. If they don’t have one, heed warning.
7. Trust Your Instincts
At the end of the day, you want a photographer who feels like a partner in preserving your memories. If their work moves you, their communication is clear, and you feel comfortable with them, that’s your sign you’ve found the right fit.
8. Know Your Surroundings
A person with a fancy camera does not make them a “professional photographer”. Lots of requirements go into achieving that title. One of the things that makes me cringe the most is when we have a photographer that does not do their research. It is very obvious to vendors when someone comes in that doesn’t know what they are doing and doesn’t look up the venue beforehand to get familiar with the environment. When you see the same families, in the same spots for all their pictures, it’s disheartening – especially when you have a location that offers such a wide variety of beautiful photo locations.
In addition to knowing your surroundings, this includes the Illinois scenery: crops. Pole Barn Chic sits between corn and bean farms. These make for stunning photos! A good photographer will absolutely work nature into their photography, specifically when shooting on a farm.
Final Thought
Your wedding photos aren’t just pictures, they’re the story of your love, frozen in time. Choosing the right photographer means choosing someone who sees and honors that story. Take your time, trust your gut, and invest in the person who will capture your joy for generations to come.
Pole Barn Chic is locally owned and operated. We hope to encourage engaged couples to consider choosing a locally owned wedding venue. We go to great lengths to exceed expectations, and you will find that locally owned wedding venues have far less turnover and that leads to better communication! We love shouting out and supporting our locally owned wedding venue and wedding business colleagues. Here are a few locally owned wedding venues across the US:
Antler Ridge Weddings: www.antlerridgeweddings.com
5 Family Ranch: www.5familyranch.com
La Joya Dulce: www.lajoyadulce.com
Ballroom at Windsor: www.farmweddingde.com
Ballenger Bridge: https://ballengerbridege.com