After securing our wedding venue, my next urgent priority was, of course, The Person Who Would Perfectly Capture Our Beautiful Day in 1,000,000 Photographs or More. I initially did a fair amount of research to find someone local whose photography style was fun, fresh, and editorial-esque. By following a bunch of Seattle wedding planners and coordinators, I was able to see all the vendors they were tagging in each event and quickly access their portfolios. I think that’s how I stumbled upon my chosen documentarian, Allie Dykstra of Alexandrae Photo.
Allie has attended hundreds of weddings and has learned some key takeaways over the years. “The couple’s energy sets the tone for how the wedding day unfolds,” she tells Betches. “When the couple has a good time, the entire party has a good time. When the couple is stressed, that energy is felt, and things are more awkward. So the good news is, all you have to do is focus on having a really great time in order to throw a good party. Also, keeping people well-fed helps, too.”
Here’s how I knew Allie was The One: she had a range of unique and classic photography styles (from luxurious chaos to relaxed and real), all of her portfolio photos were stunning, she lived in close proximity to our venue, her fee was fair and she included an engagement shoot with her wedding package. We chatted on the phone about vision and expectations, locked down the date, and then met up a few months later to shoot our engagement photos. After that shoot, we were even more sure we had made the right choice!
I interviewed Allie as a way to help you navigate your epic wedding photographer hunt — what to keep an eye out for, what to expect during wedding day and how to know if you and your vendor just… click.
How to find a wedding photographer, according to a wedding photographer
Betches: When couples are searching for a wedding photographer, what’s the most important thing they should look for?
Allie: When couples are shopping for their wedding photographer, I think that there are two main things they should consider: personality/energy and style. First, you have to like your photographer as a person. They are one of the few people that you hire that will be with you ALL day on your most important day, more so than most of your guests! Do you like the energy they bring? I would absolutely request a phone or video chat with your photographer to make sure you mesh.
Second is style — don’t forget that your photographer is an artist and excels at a certain style that they are hopefully consistently showcasing across their portfolio. Expect them to deliver on that style for you as well, which makes it important that it gels with your aesthetic. How the photographer shoots and edits is a part of the full package they can deliver as a business. Don’t go into things expecting them to be able to make an exception for you. Instead, hire someone who perfectly aligns with your style.
What kind of questions should couples be asking when interviewing a wedding photographer?
- Can I see some full examples of wedding galleries you’ve delivered (bonus points if they are similar to your wedding venue/vibe)?
- What is your turnaround time? Do you deliver any sneak peeks?
- What is your approach to capturing a wedding day?
- Do you have a backup process in place to keep our photos safe?
- Maybe even ask them to describe their style as well! Even though you can see it through their branding and portfolio, it always helps to hear how someone sees their own work and if that clicks with what you’re looking for.
Obviously, a vendor and client should be on the same page before moving forward. What are some factors you take into consideration when deciding if a couple would be a good fit for how you do business?
Allie: I would really just like to make sure that our energies complement each other on that first call before booking. It’s pretty clear when couples want me to be someone that I am not and that won’t set anyone up for success on wedding day. My best advice is just for everyone to show up and communicate authentically during those early stages before booking. If you’re not a good fit, you’re not a good fit, and that’s totally fine! There are thousands of wedding vendors out there, it’s important for both the couple and the vendor to feel like they can be themselves and work together harmoniously.
One of many reasons I was sold on you was because your wedding package included an engagement shoot. What are the benefits of hiring a photographer who will also shoot your engagement photos?
I am the biggest fan of offering my couples a complimentary engagement shoot because I think even just one hour of working together before the big day can do wonders for our chemistry as a couple and photographer. I also find that many couples haven’t been in front of the camera before, so the engagement shoot is the perfect time to shake off those nerves and get a sense of how it’s going to feel on your wedding day.
Red flags couples should look out for when searching for a photographer
Allie: You want to make sure your wedding photographer acts professionally, is reliable, and has the technical capability to capture your day. Do they reply to your emails within a reasonable amount of time, or do you have to chase them down? Do they conduct themselves like an actual business — contracts, invoices, retainer fees, etc?
Double-check that they have the technical capability to capture all of the different lighting scenarios that you can expect on your wedding day when reviewing their galleries. For example, I would make sure you like their flash photography if the majority of your wedding will take place after dark. I would see it as a red flag if there are only examples of natural light photography in their portfolio because weddings have SO many different unideal lighting scenarios that we have to navigate regardless of the setting.
The last thing I don’t think many couples think about is how we photographers keep your memories stored and safe. Ensure they have a good process around backing up your files so that, god forbid, anything happens (tech malfunction), your memories are safe, or they have duplicates stored somewhere.
Is it important to find a photographer who will collaborate or interact with other vendors on the wedding day? Or just do their own thing? What has worked for you in terms of vendor dynamics?
Allie: YES! Absolutely yes to this. Every vendor you hire should be a good team player and respectful to others. Each of us is just a small piece of the puzzle that is your wedding day, and the last thing you need is drama between vendors. I see my fellow vendors as my coworkers! The better everyone can work together and respect each other, the better the experience we can give the couple.
Wedding Photo Trends To Watch For
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I know when I saw your amazing Instagram reel showcasing the number of photography styles you specialize in, I was sold. What photography styles are most popular right now? Which ones do you find your clients are requesting the most?
Allie: Documentary style is for sure having a moment right now and rightfully so. I love documentary style because it allows my couples to be present with their guests and each other while I capture the magic. It heavily emphasizes candid moments and has this beautiful, relaxed, and real energy to it. I also said that I specialize in “Luxurious Chaos” on that reel, which is totally a term that I made up, but it perfectly encapsulates the real fun of a wedding day juxtaposed with the fancier styling and design that comes with the territory. It’s giving bathroom selfies at the Met Gala. I just love that vibe of capturing people all dressed up, letting loose, and having a really good time.
A Wedding Photographer’s Tips For The Big Day
What’s the best way couples can ensure they get all the shots they want on their wedding day?
Allie: This may be my personal opinion, but outside of sharing a handful of top priorities that you want to ensure are captured with care (for example, tablescape details, candids with my grandparents, our first look), I would refrain from providing a super long & detailed shot list. At the end of the day, having to meticulously refer back to a list prohibits us from being truly present and observant on our wedding day, causing us to miss countless little moments we could capture if we didn’t have to worry about it. Any professional wedding photographer is probably already checking those shots off this hypothetical list intuitively as they go about the day anyway. But definitely let them know if something is important to you!!
What are your top three poses/shots couples shouldn’t miss on wedding day?
I think this definitely varies based on the vibe of the couple, but my personal faves right now are candid moments with your favorite people, “lived in” detail shots of tables, accessories, little mementos that give a more editorial vibe and I LOVE a quick, late-night tipsy photoshoot with the couple.
What should communication look like on the wedding day? Should a couple feel free to communicate a change in needs (i.e., different shots other than what’s specified) or just let you work your magic?
I always encourage open communication with my couples on their wedding day. Maybe you wanted tons of family photos in the planning stages but are feeling super drained on the day of your wedding and want to cut that in half. No problem. In fact, I will be the one to communicate that so you can rest. But I also really want my couples to feel like they can let loose and forget I am even there! I think it all depends on the couple & photographer’s personality/relationship for exactly what that communication looks like, but regardless, you should feel super comfortable to voice anything to us on the day of your wedding.
Any tips for couples who feel “awkward” in front of the camera or aren’t super comfortable having their photograph taken (but wouldn’t miss documenting their big day)?
Try not to judge yourself, get out of your head, and do your best to let loose a little. The more you overthink it, the more you’re going to adopt a stiffer, less authentic body language. Just be present with your love and we will take care of the rest. I do find that keeping my clients moving around helps shake out the nerves a little bit. And if that doesn’t work, a glass of champagne never hurt either. 😉
Besides smashing cake in a bride’s beautiful face, what’s something you’d be okay never seeing at weddings again?
It’s super rare, but I hate seeing couples get into fights with each other or friends and family on the wedding day – it’s not worth it. I just hate seeing stress get the best of anyone on the day of the wedding. Planning a wedding can obviously be stressful, but by the time your day rolls around, just go with the flow and let it all go.
