Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of decisions, from choosing the perfect venue to curating a guest list that won’t cause family drama. But if there’s one vendor you should invest in wisely, it’s your wedding photographer. Why? Because long after the last slice of cake is gone and your dress is tucked away, your wedding photos will be the one tangible thing that remains.

I specialize in capturing intimate, untraditional weddings—whether you're queer, straight, or somewhere in between—so I know firsthand the pitfalls couples often fall into when booking a photographer. Here are five common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Choosing the Cheapest Photographer

Weddings can get expensive, and it’s natural to look for ways to save. But photography is not the place to cut corners. Your wedding photos are how you’ll remember this day for the rest of your life. If you hire someone solely because they fit the lowest budget, you might end up with images that don’t reflect the emotions, energy, and essence of your day.

That’s why I always tell my couples: You won’t care about the last bite of wedding cake, but you *will* care if your photos don’t make you feel something. I focus on capturing those raw, intimate moments that make your wedding uniquely yours.

2. Skipping the Engagement Session

An engagement session isn’t just about getting cute photos for your invitations (though that’s a nice bonus). It’s a trial run—a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera and build a connection with the person who will be by your side on one of the most important (and emotionally charged) days of your life.

I include engagement sessions in all my packages because I want you to feel at ease on your wedding day. It’s an opportunity for us to figure out how you naturally interact, how I direct, and what works best for you. Plus, you might learn little things—like realizing a certain pose doesn’t feel right or that your nail color doesn’t complement your skin tone as much as you thought. Better to discover that before the big day!

3. Hiring a Photographer You Like—But Not Trusting Them

There are *so* many talented wedding photographers out there, and each one has a distinct style and approach. If you hire someone based on their portfolio, trust that they know what they’re doing. Micromanaging or giving a shot-by-shot list of exactly how you want your images to look takes away from the natural, spontaneous moments that make your wedding unique.

When my couples choose me, they’re choosing a specific experience—a blend of editorial, cinematic, and soul-filled storytelling. If you’re looking for hyper-posed, ultra-traditional wedding photos, there’s probably someone out there who specializes in that. But if you want images that feel *real*, trust that I’m going to deliver exactly that.

4. Expecting Your Photos to Look Exactly Like a Pinterest Board

Moodboards are amazing for setting the vibe (in fact, I collaborate on them with all my couples!). But it’s important to see them as inspiration rather than a shot list. Every wedding is different—your location, lighting, and overall energy will shape how your final images look.

I’ve spent years developing my own signature style, blending bold colors, cinematic tones, and an analog-like aesthetic. I won’t just copy and paste another photographer’s editing or framing onto your images—because your wedding is *yours*, and your photos should reflect *you*.

5. Not Providing a List of Must-Have Shots

While I pride myself on capturing candid moments and telling the story of your wedding organically, there are certain images that are deeply personal and shouldn’t be left to chance. That photo with your kindergarten best friend may not be obvious to me unless you tell me.

To make things easy, I send all my couples a questionnaire before the wedding. It covers everything from must-have shots to little details about your day so we’re not going back and forth last minute. That way, you can be fully present on your wedding day, knowing everything important to you is being captured.

our wedding photos should feel like *you*. If you’re planning a wedding that’s intimate, untraditional, and all about celebrating love in your own way, you deserve a photographer who sees and honors that. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’re setting yourself up for a stress-free experience and a gallery of images that will make your heart swell every time you look at them.

Thinking about working together? Let’s chat!