6 TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | HOW TO CHOOSE A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
As elopement and wedding photographers in Portugal, we like to give you real value when you’re choosing your photographer.
These questions work whether you’re booking a Portugal wedding photographer, an elopement photographer in Europe, or a photographer anywhere in the world.
So, let’s get down to business.
READ OR LISTEN
ARE THEY TAKING FOREVER TO RESPOND TO YOUR INQUIRY?
For real—stop and think about this for a second (or two).
Yes, some wedding photographers are busy and may not reply instantly. But if they’re taking a long time just to answer your first inquiry, that’s a red flag.
At the end of the day, photography is their business. The way they communicate with you should be efficient, respectful, and clear.
If they take forever to answer a simple inquiry (something that could bring them work and income), imagine what happens after you book them and a problem comes up:
• How fast will communication be then?
• Will you actually be able to solve an issue quickly?
• Will you feel supported or ignored?
A photographer who values their clients treats communication like part of the client experience—not an afterthought.
DO THEY TAKE THE TIME TO GET TO KNOW YOU & YOUR LOVE STORY?
Let’s get real.
When you first contact a photographer, they’re a complete stranger. Your goal is to invite this person into one of the most intimate and emotional days of your life—with your partner, your family, and your closest friends.
You carefully create your guest list. Sometimes, because of restrictions or budget, you can’t even invite everyone you love.
Now imagine:
You’re letting a photographer be there for every moment—getting ready, the drive to the venue or elopement location, the ceremony, portraits, the party, the late-night chaos—and they never really tried to understand who you are as a couple.
They didn’t ask about your story.
They didn’t ask what matters most to you.
They just cared about the booking.
Would you feel comfortable around them? Would you relax in front of their camera?
Whether you like it or not, your photographer is with you all day. The connection you have with them is evident in your photos. The more you trust them, the more intimate, candid, and timeless your images will feel.
Think about this: would you feel more at ease with a friend behind the camera, or a random stranger? Now aim for a photographer who feels like a professional version of that friend—someone who “gets” you and still shows up with experience, calm, and direction.
If you’re curious what that looks like in real weddings, you can explore our galleries here.
DO THEY SEND YOUR PHOTOS IN A GALLERY?
We’re living in the 21st century.
Photography, like any other art, evolves with technology. Any photographer who takes their work seriously should want you to have a smooth, stress-free way to access your images.
That’s where an online gallery comes in.
With a good gallery system, you can:
Open a link
Click a button to download your photos
Share that same link with family and friends
No complicated steps, no waiting for a USB to arrive, no lost files.
This is one of the best days of your life—you deserve an experience that feels simple and organised. Don’t settle for less.
As editorial destination wedding photographers in Portugal, we deliver everything through an online gallery so our couples can view, download, and share images easily—wherever they are in the world.
DO THEY HAVE A WEBSITE, AND HAS IT BEEN UPDATED RECENTLY?
Before you invest in your wedding or elopement photography, you want to see more of their work. Of course, you’ll probably check Instagram first, but a photographer who takes their business seriously will also have a dedicated website.
Their website is where they can:
Show full galleries—not just highlight reels
Share blog posts and real wedding stories
Express their personality and style without worrying about algorithms
A regularly updated website tells you a lot:
They care about their portfolio and reputation
They put time into educating and supporting their couples
They’re thinking long-term, not just about the next booking
If a photographer hasn’t updated their website in years, you might struggle to know who they really are now, how their style has evolved, or what kind of weddings they photograph today.
An updated website = a photographer who cares about their work and about what you’ll say to friends, family, and other vendors after the wedding.
IS THEIR EDITING CONSISTENT OR ALL OVER THE PLACE?
We put this in fifth place, but honestly, it could be first.
When you look at a photographer’s work—on their website and on Instagram—you should start to recognise a clear, consistent style. Their photos should feel like they belong to the same visual world.
A strong photographer usually has:
A recognisable editing style
A clear approach to light and composition
A specific way they photograph people and emotions
At The Lopes Photography, we always aim for a signature style that feels editorial and timeless, without heavy trends that will date badly.
Now imagine the opposite:
You scroll through their work, and every gallery looks different:
Some photos are very orange, some are very cool
Some super dark, some extremely bright
Some with heavy filters, some with none
That’s not “versatile”—it’s a gamble.
You’re essentially betting on which version of their style you’ll receive for your wedding:
The look you loved?
Or the one you absolutely didn’t connect with?
Your wedding photos are not the place to gamble. They’re images you’ll look back on for decades—so you want a photographer whose style is consistent, intentional, and aligned with what you love.
DO THEY WANT TO SET UP A CALL WITH YOU BEFORE YOU SIGN A CONTRACT OR MAKE A DEPOSIT?
Is there anything sketchier than sending money to someone who doesn’t even want to talk to you first?
A photographer who genuinely cares about their clients will always want to connect with you before you sign a contract or make a deposit. They’ll want to:
Meet you (on video or phone)
Understand your story and expectations
Talk through how they work and what you can expect
Check that the fit is right on both sides
If a photographer is happy to take your money without a conversation, that’s a sign they might care more about the booking than the relationship.
We’re not saying every situation like this is a scam—but it’s risky, and it usually means you won’t get much support beyond basic coverage.
You deserve someone who is invested in you, not just your payment.
7. DID YOU READ REVIEWS & SEE THE RECOGNITION?
What other people say about a photographer matters.
Before you decide, look for:
Reviews from previous couples
Feedback from planners and other vendors
Any recognition, features or publications (blogs, magazines, etc.)
Ask yourself:
Are they a real, established business?
Did past couples feel comfortable and cared for?
Do people mention things like communication, calm energy, and problem-solving?
Does their reputation match the experience you want?
This is how you reduce the “unknowns.” Reviews and recognition help you see how they show up behind the scenes—not just in curated photos.
Do your research. It’s worth it.
Need help choosing a wedding photographer in Portugal?
If you’re still unsure how much you should invest, what style fits you best, or what to look for in a Portugal wedding photographer, we’re happy to talk it through.
We’re The Lopes Photography—Portugal wedding and elopement photographers specialising in editorial, laidback-luxury weddings across Lisbon, Sintra, the Algarve, Comporta, the Douro and beyond. We also work with film and Super 8 for couples who want their day to feel cinematic and timeless.
If you’d like to:
Ask more questions about choosing your photographer
See how these points look in real weddings
Learn more about our process and collections
…click the button below and get in touch.
PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS
We’d be more than happy to speak with you and help you feel confident about your wedding photography decision.