Written and Photography by Curator Maura Black Stephens, owner of Maura Black Photography

So, it’s finally happening! You have found the love of your life and begun the exciting – and at times dizzying – process of planning your wedding day. Yay!

If you’re already on this wedding planning adventure, you’ve undoubtedly realized that finding the photographer for your wedding day is kind of a big deal. Because the truth is, long after the cake is eaten and the flowers have faded, your heirloom photos are the one tangible take-away from your big day (other than your new spouse, of course!).

The good news is that, here in the Chicago wedding planning world, you are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to having potential access to thousands of talented, experienced and passionate Chicago wedding photographers.

But this is both a blessing and a curse, because let’s be honest - decision fatigue is real and the overwhelm can be intense.

In a market oversaturated with amazing wedding photographers, how on earth do you choose the right one?!

Don’t worry, babe - I got you!

This Chicago wedding photography guide walks you through exactly how to choose an artist whose work aligns with your vision, budget and personality (because spoiler alert, the last one is SO important!).

1. Discover the Photography Style You Love

Before you even start setting up meetings or sending out random inquiries, spend a little time figuring out what you’re drawn to.

Documentary / photojournalistic: Candid, emotional, real moments. The vast majority of wedding photographers implement this style into our work in order to tell the story of a wedding day, but some photographers specialize in this method and more rarely, some photographers only shoot this way (so if you go this route, those dreamy, posed portraits won’t be in the equation).
Classic / traditional: Posed, timeless, family-focused shots. Again, most wedding photographers are well versed in creating these shots. While they might not be the most creatively stimulating to photograph, a wedding day is all about two families joining together, so having those, “everyone look at the camera and say cheese” family formals are a must!
Editorial: Fashion forward, artistic, dramatic. Think Vogue-style wedding photos, Chicago style. Again, many photographers work these into the rhythm of shooting a wedding day while also specializing in the above, though others really lean into this specific style. As you look through different artists’ portfolios, keep the aforementioned styles in mind. This will help you narrow down the kind of work that really speaks to you and will give you the vocabulary to articulate this to photographers as you explore who may be the right fit.
Editing Style (i.e. Light & airy vs. dark & moody): Editing style matters so much more than you may think. I could honestly write a blog post about only this one topic, but the artistic decisions photographers make in the editing suite is of huge importance when it comes to the very essence of their style. Pictured in this post is my own work (obvi), and for reference, I would describe it as more true-to-life in terms of the way I edit color and the way I expose the image (though I’m often a little more bright leaning in my editing style!). There are some incredible dark and moody photographers out there, but I’m not one of them. And on the other side of the spectrum, there are photographers who create beautiful work editing in a stye that feels very light, bright and airy. Understanding the language used to describe the editing style you’re drawn to will help narrow down your search in the biggest way!

Scroll through Instagram, flip through wedding magazines and study those real wedding blogs. When certain photos stop you mid-scroll and you understand what it is stylistically that draws you to them, you’re getting closer to understanding the vibe that makes your heart skip a beat.

2. Look at Full Galleries (not just highlights!)

Stumbling upon a photographer’s Instagram or portfolio that truly wows you is exciting, but the truth is, these collections are highlight reels. We are showing you the work we are most proud of, the creative feats that get our own creative hearts fluttering. Before you commit to a photographer, ask to see some full wedding galleries so you can evaluate:

Consistency from start to finish. Are their portraits drool worthy but the reception photos feel like they were taken by a different (and not in a good way) photographer?
How they photograph different lighting situation. Even if you’re not well-versed in the world of artificial lighting (which is a necessary skill experienced photographers master in order to best tell the story of a wedding day 99.9% of the time), if you love the entirety of a gallery, you know you’re in good hands.
Coverage of key moments (ceremony, reception, family photos). Are they masters of capturing those key reaction shots? Are the portraits beyond-your-wildest-dreams stunning? Are they storytellers? They should evoke a visual voice that you’d love to see tell your own story in a style that speaks to you).

Base-line: a great photographer delivers quality across the entire day, not just a few standout shots.

3. Make Sure You Click (Yes, Personality Matters!)

Other than your fiancé, the truth is that your photographer will be with you more than almost anyone else on your wedding day. You deserve someone who:

Makes you feel comfortable and seen. Being invited to capture a day as big as your wedding is a huge honor. All couples deserve to spend their day with a vendor team that is super pumped to be there!
Communicates clearly and feels trustworthy (i.e. the vibes are good!).
Complements your energy, whether that’s chill, bubbly or somewhere in between. If you feel like a trusted friend is with you, camera in hand, that’s such a huge bonus in my book!

There’s no such thing as someone unable to look natural in photos if they’re with the right photographer. If you feel awkward in front of a camera (and most people do, present company included!), the right photographer will not only set you at ease, but help you stay present, excited and happy throughout the day. This is the key to capturing photos in which you not only look beautiful, but feel authentically you.

4. Experience Counts - Especially Under Pressure

I know this sounds crazy, but I approach wedding days as if they’re wild animals. They can move fast and be unpredictable. Lighting conditions are constantly changing and timelines shift. A popped button, freak thunderstorm or unexpected traffic jam can shake things up. But in the right hands, none of that matters. An experienced photographer knows how to:

Adapt to unexpected weather or delays, all the while keeping their couple happy and calm because trust has been established.
Work smoothly with planners and vendors. The best wedding vendors work seamlessly with anyone, because they know that at the end of the day we’re all there to serve the same purpose: ensuring our couples have the best experience possible!
Capture fleeting moments without being intrusive. I’m not going to lie; every time someone calls me a “photo ninja”, my heart does a little happy dance. The best of the best capture the magic without inserting themselves.

Ask how many weddings they’ve photographed and whether they’re experienced shooting at venues similar to yours.

5. Read Reviews and Testimonials

The year is 2026 and the vast majority of us won’t even go to brunch without checking out the restaurant’s Google reviews, scrolling through its Instagram page and checking out the menu. And that’s for one meal, guys. For those of you currently searching for someone to document one of the biggest days of your lives, past couples are your best resource when it comes to understanding the experience you can expect a specific photographer to deliver. Reviews can tell you a lot about:

Professionalism & reliability
Quality of the final product
How the photographer handled the day
Overall experience

Consistent praise is a great sign.

6. Budget Wisely (Photos Are an Investment)

Wedding photography is the one thing you’re paying for that you’ll keep your entire lives. While budget matters, remember:

You’re paying for experience, skill, and storytelling
Editing and curation of your photographs take significant time (just ask any photographer’s loved ones between May and November!)
Great photographers book up quickly for a reason

One universal truth in all aspects of life is that you get what you pay for and wedding photography is one part of your big day that you definitely don’t want to skimp on! You’ll never get the chance to recapture these memories.

7. Trust Your Gut

After all is said and done, sometimes it just comes down to a feeling. If you love their work, feel appreciated and understand and can picture them by your side on your wedding day—you’ve probably found the one!

Final Thoughts…

Your wedding photos should feel like you. The right photographer won’t just document the beauty and aesthetics of your day. They’ll capture the emotion, the connection and the little moments you didn’t even realize were happening, all the while keeping your authenticity in mind. As you shop for photographers, take your time, ask the questions, and choose someone who you would love to be a part of this very special time in your lives. They are, after all, capturing these first memories you’re making together as a married couple.

Happy planning!

How to make sure your wedding photographer is “The One”?