Let me start by telling you my own horrow story.


Five years ago, when I was choosing a photographer for my elopement, I didn't search much. I had been following several wedding photographers for years on Instagram and had a mental "stack ranking" of them. I reached out to my top choice—unavailable. I turned to my number two—bingo. I was so happy and excited. Not only for my own wedding day but also to experience the work of a "divine" professional, the best of the best. As a photographer myself, having just immigrated from Russia, I couldn't wait to see how it was really done...


TL;DR: They ruined my special day. It still hurts today. The moment they walked into our Airbnb, they were moody, visibly annoyed, and unengaged. As the day unfolded, I went above and beyond to make them feel comfortable, hoping their mood would improve. I was the one suggesting all the poses and locations. They just stood there in one spot, pressing that shutter button.


As someone who has experienced this—and as a professional photographer myself—here are my top three red flags to watch for so you choose someone who enhances, rather than ruins, your special day.


1. Lacking Communication


When I asked my elopement photographer for a Zoom call, they... ignored me. Of course, as business owners, we must be mindful of our time. But if a photographer refuses, ignores, or downplays your desire for communication without a good reason—that is how you know they don't care. If they don't care now, they won’t care during the photoshoot, either.


2. A "Static" Portfolio


These days, we all get excited by images of a couple standing on a dramatic cliff. Don't get me wrong, I love those pictures too. But when you look at a photographer's portfolio, look at what else they have. Look for shots taken from unique angles, like from the ground up. Why? Because you want a photographer who will jump through hoops, hike uphill backwards, or go chest-deep into snow to capture a moment for you. This is how you know they are actually engaged in the process.


3. Social Media Obsession


The truth is, it doesn't matter how popular a photographer is on social media; it guarantees you nothing. They will likely deliver images of the same quality you see online, but that says nothing about your experience. You need to look beyond the follower count and the pretty gallery. Watch their stories. What do they post about? Read their bio. Try to understand their personality and professionalism. Do you think they have a work ethic that fits your standards? My photographer was only excited once during our entire relationship: when it was time to post the shots I directed and collect the admiring comments.



At the end of the day, ask yourself: do YOU really like this person's work, and why? Is it because it's mainstream and trendy, or because their work actually makes you feel something? Make the choice by following your gut, not based on other people's clicks and likes.