How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your big day. Your images will outlast the flowers, the cake, and the music—they’re the one thing you’ll have forever. Here’s what to look for.

Personality

You’re hiring someone to be with you all day long—before the ceremony, through the reception, and everything in between. Your photographer’s personality sets the tone for your entire day and influences how relaxed and natural your photos look. Make sure you genuinely like them. You’ll be spending 8-10 hours together.

A Customized, Boutique Experience

Avoid large corporate studios that treat weddings like a production line. Look for a photographer who pays attention to your specific vision and treats your wedding as a unique creative project. At Delgado Studios, every couple gets direct access to Joseph, from first inquiry through final delivery.

A Real Wedding Portfolio

Many photographers fill their portfolios with images from styled shoots, workshops, or second-shooter work—not their own real weddings. It’s far easier to create stunning images with professional models in controlled environments. Ask the question directly: are all of these images from weddings you photographed as the primary photographer? Every image in our portfolio is.

Investment and Value

Cost matters, but it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. We regularly hear from couples who chose their photographer based on price alone and regretted it. When your wedding day is over, your photographs are what remain. Don’t underinvest in the one thing that lasts forever.

Wedding Albums

Your wedding album is your first family heirloom. Professional-grade albums available through studios are in a completely different league from consumer print books. Ask your photographer: how many pages? How many images? What materials? Our albums are world-class in both quality and design—built to last generations.

Editing Style

Trendy editing styles date quickly. The orange-and-teal look, heavy grain filters, over-processed skies—they all seem fresh until they don’t. We believe in clean, natural editing with timeless black-and-whites. Your wedding photos should look just as beautiful in 30 years.

Who Will Actually Be There?

Many larger studios sell you on the owner’s portfolio, then send a different photographer to your wedding. Always confirm in writing who your primary photographer will be. At Delgado Studios, Joseph Delgado is your primary photographer on every wedding—no surprises.

One or Two Photographers?

For weddings over 150 guests, we strongly recommend two photographers. This allows one to focus on directing and working with the couple while the other captures candid moments simultaneously. All of our second photographers work as primary photographers in their own right—not assistants filling a role.

Coverage Hours

Most weddings require 7-10 hours of coverage. Be cautious of packages offering fewer hours at cut-rate prices—these often result in missed moments. Make sure your photographer is there for the full story: getting ready, ceremony, portraits, reception, and send-off.

Handling Tough Conditions

New Jersey weather is unpredictable. Rain, harsh midday sun, dimly lit reception halls—your photographer needs the skill and experience to handle all of it. We’ve photographed stunning weddings in the rain. We don’t check the forecast the night before. We just show up prepared.

Turnaround Time

Slow delivery is one of the most common complaints about wedding photographers. We guarantee sneak peeks within 48 hours of your wedding day and your complete gallery within 8 weeks. Most of the time, it’s even sooner.

Professional Equipment

Professional camera bodies have dual memory card slots—meaning your images are backed up instantly as they’re taken. A card failure on a consumer body can mean losing your entire wedding. We shoot on professional Sony equipment and back up every image in real time. I also backup all of your images to the cloud the night of your wedding.

LGBTQ+ Weddings

We are proud and enthusiastic supporters of all couples. Every wedding deserves to be documented with the same care, creativity, and joy—regardless of who is getting married. We’d be honored to be part of your day.

Ready to Talk?

If you’re getting married in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, or beyond—we’d love to hear about your day.