How to find your ideal Colorado Wedding Photographer
Planning your dream wedding in Colorado? One of the most important decisions you’ll make is hiring a wedding photographer. After all, your wedding photos will be cherished memories for years to come. But with so many options out there, how do you find the perfect fit?
Unfortunately, we've all heard the wedding photography horror stories: photographers who disappear after taking deposits, lose wedding files, overpromise and underdeliver, or make couples wait months for their images.
This makes the relationship between you and your photographer that much more important. A good photographer understands they are in the service business and that they need to do all they can to take those worries away for the couple.
That's why building a genuine relationship with your wedding photographer is crucial. As someone who's photographed over 450 weddings across all kinds of landscapes, I believe the foundation of great wedding photography begins with our first conversation.
What to Expect in Your First Conversation with a Wedding Photographer
When we talk for the first time, my goals are simple:
- Learn your unique love story and personalities
- Understand your Colorado wedding vision—whether that's a mountain ceremony in Estes Park, a rustic barn wedding in Boulder County, or an elegant affair in downtown Denver
- Help you feel comfortable with my approach and style
- Build trust by demonstrating my experience and expertise
- Answer all your questions about the Colorado wedding photography process
I intentionally limit myself to 25 weddings annually so I can fully invest in each couple's story. During our chat, I want to hear everything—how you met, your proposal story, your wedding dreams, and even the small details you're excited about.
Before you meet with any potential wedding photographer (including me!), arm yourself with these essential questions to ensure you find the perfect match for your style, budget, and expectations.
Why Choosing the Right Colorado Wedding Photographer Matters
As a Colorado wedding photographer with 15+ years of experience, I know that selecting someone to document your wedding day can feel overwhelming. Your wedding photos will be the lasting memories you treasure for decades – so you want to get this decision right.
The Colorado wedding scene presents unique challenges and opportunities: dramatic mountain landscapes, unpredictable weather, and venues from rustic barns to luxury resorts. Your photographer needs the experience and equipment to handle it all.
This guide will help you ask the right questions when choosing a wedding photographer, ensuring you hire someone who is professional, reliable, and perfectly aligned with your vision.
20 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Your Colorado Wedding Photographer
1. What is your wedding photography experience in Colorado?
Experience levels are all over the map, from the hobbyist-turned-beginner-pro shooting a friend’s wedding, to experienced people like me. You want to know that the photographer you are hiring has the experience and skill set to handle a sometimes-hectic day that can vary a lot in settings and situations, without panic. Or, you can take a chance on someone less experienced if you like, you just want to know what risk you are taking before the fact, and know that their price is in line with that experience.
Experience matters when capturing weddings in Colorado's diverse environments. Ask about their familiarity with your specific venue or similar locations. An experienced Colorado wedding photographer will understand how to work with mountain lighting, weather changes, and elevation challenges.
My experience: 15 years, over 450 weddings across global landscapes, from Rocky Mountain National Park to downtown Denver venues (and, including Mexico, St. Thomas, Ireland, to name a few).
2. What backup plans do you have if you can't attend my wedding?
Even the most reliable professionals need contingency plans. Colorado's weather can be unpredictable, especially for mountain weddings, so ask about their backup photographer network. Plus, it should be in their contract that they are responsible for providing that substitute if it becomes necessary. If they don’t have a plan for that or they can’t assure you of that in the contract, be very wary.
My approach: I've never missed a wedding in 15 years. However, I maintain relationships with trusted photographers statewide who could step in during a true emergency, all protected in your contract.
3. How do you handle Colorado's unpredictable mountain weather?
Weather in Colorado can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations. Ask how your photographer prepares for weather challenges that might affect your wedding day. You want to know that they have at least considered this. It demonstrates how serious they take their commitment to your wedding.
My strategy: I closely monitor weather patterns before your wedding date and will travel to your location early if necessary, staying overnight at my own expense to ensure I'm there regardless of weather conditions.
4. What is your photo delivery timeline?
Long waits for wedding photos can be stressful. Clear expectations about delivery timeframes should be established upfront. It’s fair to ask what their turnaround time is and it’s fair to ask that it be in the contract. This helps set expectations between you and gives you recourse later if necessary.
My commitment: You'll receive your complete wedding gallery within three weeks of your wedding date (unless your extended honeymoon plans require otherwise). This timeline is in my contract.
5. What redundancy systems do you have for protecting our photos?
Professional photographers have all sorts of backup plans. In fact, we might seem a little paranoid. So, it’s okay to ask about them. Really. Ask. Do I have a plan if I can’t be there? Do I create duplicates of every shot throughout the day? Do I make multiple copies of your wedding after I get home? Do I carry more than one camera that day in case one fails? What if you lose your wedding photos when you move? Good pros have answers to these questions.
My system: I shoot with multiple professional cameras that each create duplicate copies of every image. After your wedding, I create three separate backups with one stored in a fireproof safe. I maintain archives of every wedding I've ever photographed.
6. Is wedding photography your full-time profession?
This is not a judgement. We all start somewhere, and many of us start doing this part time, and someone who does this part time may be lower on the pricing scale. Where it can be problematic though, is that they must fit their editing time around their shooting schedule AND their other job. This might mean it will take them longer to return your wedding to you. In fact, I think this is the main cause of most instances where couples wait months or longer for their wedding photos. This question helps gauge availability and commitment. Full-time photographers typically have more flexibility and faster turnaround times.
My focus: Wedding photography is my full-time profession. I limit myself to 25 weddings annually to provide exceptional service to each couple.
7. How do you deliver our final wedding images?
Digital delivery methods vary between photographers. Understanding how you'll receive your images helps manage expectations. Some will upload them to a gallery where you can download them, while others deliver them on a USB. You should ask this if it matters to you. If they use an online gallery, you should also ask them how long it is available to you.
My delivery: I deliver on a USB drive that comes in a maple case and has an image from your wedding on the front.
8. Do you use natural light only or additional lighting when needed?
Colorado's diverse venues—from dark historic churches to bright mountain vistas—require versatile lighting approaches. There are a lot of natural-light only photographers out there, and in many cases, like midsummer weddings where the light lasts longer into the night, it may not matter as much. However, if your wedding ceremony is in a low-light venue (like a dark church) or any other time of the year, your photographer will need to use some on or off camera lighting. Also, using lighting just gives them so many more options for producing different dramatic shots than you can get when you are dependent on the sunlight.
My capability: I use a full range of professional lighting equipment to handle any situation Colorado venues present, from dark winter receptions to bright summer ceremonies at altitude. This lighting also gives me artistic options.
9. Do you carry professional liability insurance?
Many Colorado wedding venues require vendors to carry liability insurance (and provide proof). This may not seem important, until it is. Insurance covers the unexpected, and it is a good sign that you are hiring a professional who has made smart business decisions.
My coverage: Yes, I maintain comprehensive liability insurance and can provide certificates to your venue when required.
10. What is your engagement session process?
Engagement photos are perfect for capturing Colorado's stunning landscapes before your wedding day—you may want to use some of your engagement photos for announcements, invitations, save-the-dates, your wedding website, or décor at your wedding. Knowing how long it will take to get them back will play a role in when you need to schedule your session so you can use them as you need.
My approach: I recommend scheduling your engagement session in the year before your wedding. Unlike many photographers who limit session time, I dedicate whatever time is needed to capture at least 50 stunning images—whether that's a two-hour session in Denver or a full-day mountain adventure.
11. What happens if our wedding plans change?
Even with careful planning, circumstances sometimes change. Understanding cancellation policies is important.
My policy: If your plans change and I can book another wedding for your date, your deposit will be refunded. This is all clearly outlined in our contract.
12. Do you cover our rehearsal dinner?
Rehearsal coverage can provide additional memories and help your photographer build rapport with your wedding party.
My inclusion: I include rehearsal dinner coverage with all wedding packages. This gives me the opportunity to meet your family and wedding party, making everyone more comfortable on your wedding day. It produces some nice photos as well.
13. How do you handle posing?
For couples who feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, guidance with posing is important. A photographer’s skill with helping you feel comfortable comes with experience.
My style: I'll provide gentle direction to help you look your best while capturing natural moments. I'm happy to show you images as we shoot so you can feel confident about how you look.
14. Will you make me look thinner/taller/younger/more buff?
If this is something you expect, you need to ask and make it clear to your photographer before you sign with them. It helps them understand your expectations and decide if they are a good fit for you. It also lets them know what kind of editing processes they should plan for.
Me: I don’t do body morphing. I think everyone is beautiful, especially on their wedding day. I will work to pose you in the most flattering way when it is possible, but a lot of what I shoot that day is documentary and candid. It’s the real you.
15. Can we have a shot list?
Having a photography plan ensures all your must-have moments are captured.
My process: I provide a comprehensive shot list that you can customize based on your priorities. This ensures we capture all the special moments and people important to your Colorado wedding day.
16. Do you use a second shooter? Are they consistently the same for all your weddings? If not, how do you find them?
Many Colorado couples ask about second shooters for their mountain wedding. While I personally find them unnecessary with today's advanced digital equipment and my extensive experience, it's important to understand how photographers typically source them.
Often, second shooters are hired through photography networks, may never have worked with your primary photographer before, and could potentially cancel last-minute. If having multiple photographers is important for your Colorado wedding coverage, ask about their experience together and reliability track record. I can’t tell you how many emergency calls I have seen in groups by photographers looking for a second shooter because the one they planned canceled on them last minute.
My approach: I don’t use second shooters for all the above reasons.
17. Are you okay with us hiring a content creator?
Content creators are kind of a new thing in the industry, so a lot of photographers are trying to adjust to their work and their presence at a wedding. Talk to your photographer and make sure it is okay with them, and that there is no conflict with their contract. Some contracts will state that they must be the only photographer for the wedding, and they need to adjust that if they are willing to allow for the content creator. If they won’t allow it, ask yourself if they are a good fit for you.
Me: Sure. Content creators do different work than I do. I will only ask that they and I are able to connect either ahead of time or early during the wedding day so that we can work in tandem and as a team and not be in each other’s way, or create inconveniences for you.
18. Are you okay with us hiring a videographer?
Just like content creators, you should just ask this ahead of time. Videographers have been a part of weddings longer than content creators, so photographers are more practiced at working with them. Still, there are a few out there who dislike it and see it as a hassle. Ask and know and walk away if you find a photographer who is a stickler about it.
Me: I have worked with a lot of videographers and have always found them to be respectful and willing to work as a team. No issues here.
19. Are you okay with us having a wedding planner?
Wedding planners are not a part of as many weddings as one might believe. When a wedding is very large and very detailed, or when a couple is having to plan a wedding from a distance, or when family insists on it—that is where I most often have seen wedding planners hired. If you have one, ask your photographer if they can work with them. Some photographers won’t, and some photographers won’t work with certain wedding planners because of a prior experience.
Me: I rarely see them at my weddings, but when I do, I always want the couple to understand ahead of signing that my work and my relationship is with them and not the wedding planner. I will work with them and cooperate with them, but I will always communicate directly with you and not through them. It is the best way to tell your story. If there is a layer or gatekeeper between us, it will affect my access to you and the storytelling of your wedding.
20. Are you okay with us having a day-of coordinator?
Day-of coordinators are very popular now and required at many venues in Colorado. Your photographer shouldn’t have a problem with a coordinator, but if the photographer you want to work with has a problem with a coordinator, they may not be a good fit. You want one who instead will try to work as a team with them.
Me: Bring on the coordinators. They are usually a big help.
BONUS QUESTION: Do you have a contract?
Some simple advice: DO NOT hire a photographer unless they have a contract to execute with you. A contract protects you and the photographer if anything arises, and it helps spell out expectations clearly. It’s also another sign of being a professional. If a photographer says they don’t need a contract, run the other way and don’t look back.
My contract: Yes, I have and always execute a contract with my couples.
BONUS QUESTION: What are your payment terms and processes?
It’s good to know in advance what their booking deposit is and when any other payments are due. Some photographers require fifty percent of the full contract for the booking deposit, while others may require only a token deposit. The latter is usually someone less experienced or just starting out. Almost all photographers require that the contract is paid in full prior to the wedding date. Knowing this gives you the ability to budget and plan for all your wedding vendor payments and not experience any “Oh no” moments just before or on the big day.
Me: My booking deposit is $1000. Another payment of $1500 is not due until 90 days before the wedding. The final balance is not due until 10 days before the wedding.
Why Colorado Couples Choose Me as Their Wedding Photographer
When you choose me as your Colorado wedding photographer, you're not just hiring someone with a camera. You're partnering with an experienced professional who:
- Specializes exclusively in weddings
- Provides fast three-week turnaround on all wedding galleries
- Includes engagement sessions without time limits
- Attends your rehearsal dinner at no additional cost
- Uses professional equipment with multiple backups
- Understands Colorado's unique wedding environments
- Limits bookings to 25 weddings annually for personalized service
Ready to Discuss Your Colorado Wedding Photography?
I'd love to hear about your wedding vision and answer any questions you might have about my process. Let's schedule a casual conversation to see if we're the right fit for each other and whether your date is available!
