Weddings

August 27, 2022

How Do You Choose a Wedding Photographer in Colorado?

Telluride Colorado wedding photographer, Alicia Pfaff

I am sure I don’t have to tell you that your wedding photographs will be your most treasured keepsake from your wedding day. You will want to share them with the world! Your friends and family will love reminiscing your special day with you. You will look back years from now to relive those special moments of your vows to each other, your first kiss as a married couple, or your first dance.

Choosing the right Colorado wedding photographer to capture all of these precious moments is an important decision. It is important that you find a wedding photographer that understands not only your vision but also someone you have a great relationship with and trust. After all, your photographer is the one person, besides your spouse, that you will be spending most of your wedding day with.

Picking the right photographer isn’t always easy. There are hundreds of options, and it’s certainly challenging to know what to look for or what questions to ask. High-in-demand photographers will book out nine months to a year in advance, so choosing a photographer is something I recommend early on in your planning phase. Here are some great tips for choosing a wedding photographer:

FIGURE OUT YOUR FAVORITE STYLE

This is a great starting point. Before you even start looking into photographers, start on Pinterest or Instagram and figure out what kind of style you and your partner like. There are many different photography styles, such as Fine Art, Traditional, Photojournalistic or Lifestyle, or High Fashion. Along with these different types also comes color schemes, light & airy, dark & moody, or true to color. Figure out what you are most drawn to and what you believe will not just be a current trend but timeless photographs to last for ages. Do you want more of a storyboard for your wedding day or perhaps more of an artistic feel? Once you have a style approach in mind, you can start looking into photographers’ styles.

Elopement couple on Last Dollar Road, Telluride , Colorado, weddings

FINDING YOUR PERFECT PHOTOGRAPHER

There are various ways to go about finding photographers. I recommend asking your venue, wedding planner, or other local vendors if they have some recommendations. Surely they have worked with different photographers and can share some of their knowledge. Start looking at reviews online, different portfolios, and their websites to get a sense of the popularity and quality of a photographer. Work with your spouse to narrow down any photographers you think you would like to work with and begin reaching out to them.

wedding couple, Ridgway, Colorado, wedding

INTERVIEW YOUR TOP PHOTOGRAPHERS

Setting up a meet & greet via in-person, by phone call, or via zoom is a great way to get to know the photographers. Do your personalities just click? Do you love their style? Are they articulate in developing a plan or timeline for your day? Will they be the main photographer for your wedding? Will a second photographer be available? These are all questions you should ask your photographer during the meet and greet process. Come prepared with a list of questions that can give you more information about your photography needs and what the photographer offers.

ARE YOU AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ON THE SAME PAGE?

Communication is so important on your wedding day. You want to work with a photographer that you can communicate well with, especially on your wedding day. Is your photographer more hands-on or more in the background? Communicate what your desires and needs are to your photographer to ensure a smooth day, and make sure they have a list of special moments to capture. Look for photographers that want to work with your needs.

Bride and Groom in Telluride Colorado, elopement, Wedding

IS YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHER WITHIN YOUR BUDGET?

When choosing a photographer, make sure you receive a list of pricing and packages. Usually, photographers offer various packages and other add-on items in order for you to create your custom wedding photography package. Prices vary widely depending on the location you are getting married to, experience, and artistic interpretation. I recommend never taking the cheapest package just for the sake of saving money. If the cheapest photographer has beautiful work that you love, then fantastic! But many times, the price reflects experience, creativity, education, and location. Comparing pricing and what is offered in the packages. If you really love a photographer, but they may be out of your budget range, consider asking if they will work with you to create a package that you may be more comfortable with. It never hurts to ask.

Bride and Groom with horses, Aldasaro Ranch, Telluride, Colorado

Colorado is the perfect place to have a gorgeous mountain wedding, whether it’s a rustic mountain vibe, a Boho theme, or a classic modern feel, we have it all here. When you are ready to choose a wedding photographer, you should feel great about your choice. I hope that these tips help in your search for a photographer, and as always, happy wedding planning!


Hi, I am Alicia of Alicia Pfaff Photography. I am a Telluride-based award-winning wedding photographer who passionately cherishes photographing couples and their families on their wedding day. I bring a high level of professionalism, a long-lasting friendship, and unique natural and colorful images that stand the test of time. I will showcase your story, and your precious moments. I will be there to help you every step of the way, direct you and take the lead to help create those timeless images, but also move back to capture and document your love story throughout the day. With me, you get a genuine, personal, and detailed experience every step of the way. 

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