Navigating Your PNW Wedding Photographer Options

In the vibrant world of wedding photography, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) offers a plethora of wedding photographer options, from budding photography students to renowned big-name companies and dedicated solo entrepreneurs like myself, Markie Jones. Each option comes with its own set of pros and cons, catering to different preferences, styles, and budgets. Let’s dive into the landscape and explore what each choice entails.

Wedding Photographer Options: The Photography Student

Starting with the most budget-friendly of the wedding photographer options, hiring a photography student can be a gamble, albeit one with potential rewards. While their rates may be enticingly low, it’s essential to thoroughly assess their portfolio. Students are in the process of honing their craft and may still be developing their unique style. As such, there could be inconsistencies in their work that might not align with your wedding vision. Here are some questions to consider when contemplating hiring a student:

❤Have you ever photographed a wedding before, either as a lead or second photographer?
❤What is your backup process?
❤Do you have a second photographer? Are they also a student or someone else?
❤How long will it take for me to receive my photos and how will I receive them?

To be completely honest, I’m not even sure where you would find a photography student. I know some local high schools offer photography classes, and I personally graduated from Pierce College with a Fine Arts Degree based in black+white Film Photography. But that was almost 20 years ago and I’m at a loss now!

The Big Companies

The second of the wedding photographer options is ideal for those seeking a more straightforward approach. The big-name companies offer standardized packages at competitive rates. However, the trade-off often involves less personalized service and longer turnaround times. Many use associate photographers (read why we don’t here) which means you’re not meeting your photographer ahead of time. Here are some questions to ask when considering a big-name company:

❤How does the photography timeline creation process work?
❤Will I have the same photographer for my engagement and my wedding?
❤When do we need to finalize our package selections? What if we need extra hours the day of?
❤Are my guests and family allowed to purchase or download images from the gallery link?

If you must go with a bigger company or one that hires associates, I highly recommend Sound & Sea Photography or Sound Originals. I (Markie) LOVE Julie from Sound & Sea, and we’ve personally worked with BOTH companies on separate occasions and the experience was good. You can view the wedding I (Markie) worked with Julie at here, and Alicia + Mark’s videographer was from Sound Originals.

The Solo-Prenuer or Husband+Wife Teams

Obviously we’re a bit partial to the third of the wedding photographer options, because it’s us! The benefits of working with us (and those like us) are simple: maximum flexibility, personalized service, and quicker turnaround times. We thrive on building relationships with our clients and ensuring that every aspect of their wedding photography experience is tailored to their needs. Here are some considerations when opting for us:

❤How do you interact with clients? Can we ask you to dinner? You can view our working style here, and YES, we would love to have dinner with you!
❤How many photos do you typically deliver and do you limit the number in each gallery? We typically deliver 100 images per hour, but the intricacies of your wedding day will determine if there are more or less (ex: if you only have a bouquet, shoes and rings for your wedding details, you’ll likely receive fewer detail shots). We do NOT limit the number of images in your gallery, and we also deliver everything in color AND black+white so that you don’t have to filter or request specific images in one or the other.
❤Can we have dinner? Coffee? Is this a date? Yes, yes and uh… yes? Don’t make it weird please.
❤Any of the questions listed in posts 2 and 3, because we’re all about making sure you get EXACTLY what you wish for.

A few of our other solo-prenuers we love are Lessie Blue Photography and Photography by Amazaday. We also have a large network of other photographers if you’re looking for a specific style.

Let’s be real: when it comes to selecting a wedding photographer in the PNW, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you opt for a photography student, a big-name company, or a solo-preneur like myself, the key is to align your choice with your priorities, budget, and vision for your special day. After all, your wedding photos are not just images but cherished memories captured for a lifetime. So, choose wisely and let’s make some magic together!