How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer in Sonoma & Napa | Erin Likes Photography
from my point of view...
I'm going to answer this one honestly, even though it's a little bit against my own self-interest as someone who wants to book you: "the "right" photographer isn't a Google search result. It's a feeling.
I know, not the tidy checklist answer you were hoping for. But stay with me, because there IS a checklist underneath that feeling, and I want to walk you through both.
Full Galleries vs. Highlights
Anyone can post their best photo on Instagram. That tells you almost nothing about how a photographer handles your actual wedding day — the awkward lighting in the reception hall, the family group photo herding, the moment the ceremony ran twenty minutes behind because Uncle Dave got lost. Now, I don't have the full galleries on my main website for a reason-- whether it works against me is up for debate. I purposefully don't have full galleries on display because those are personal to my clients. They have agreed that I continue to have rights to use them for marking purposes, but I respect and acknowledge that the WORLD was not invited to their wedding. If you are still hesitant and would like to see more, I can certainly help to put your mind at ease with more examples.
I'd also genuinely encourage you to also read through real the testimonial page— not because I need the validation, but because past couples will tell you things about how it *felt* to work with someone that a portfolio never can.
Learn to translate "style" into what it actually means
Every photographer describes themselves with some flavor of the same handful of words: documentary, editorial, fine art, light and airy, moody and cinematic. Here's my interpretation of what that actually means:
Documentary / photojournalistic means candid, unposed, capturing what's actually happening rather than directing it.
Fine Art means an elevated, intentional eye toward composition, light, and emotion — images that feel more like art than snapshots.
Editorial usually means more directed posing, inspired by magazine and fashion photography.
Light and airy vs. moody is mostly about editing — bright, soft tones versus deep, rich, dramatic tones.
My own approach blends documentary storytelling with a refined, fine art eye — I want your day to look like *your* day, but I also want the images themselves to feel timeless and elevated, not just "phone camera but nicer." If you're not sure what you want yet, that's completely normal. You can book a complimentary discovery call to chat through any thing you'd like to know about me.
Do the vibe check — seriously
Your photographer is going to be with you all day long, from getting ready, your first look, maybe even helping you sneak away from your own reception for ten quiet minutes together. It's an intimate role. If a consultation call feels stiff, transactional, or like you're being sold to rather than heard, trust that feeling. You should genuinely like this person. You should feel like you could laugh with them on a stressful morning. That's not a "nice to have" — that's the whole job.
Get clarity on the practical stuff too
Once the style and the vibe check out, don't skip the practical questions:
- What happens if they get sick or injured before your wedding — is there a backup plan?
- How many hours of coverage are included, and what's the cost of adding more?
- When will you receive your gallery, and how many images can you expect?
- Do they offer a second shooter, and is it included or an add-on?
- Is there a written contract covering all of this?
A photographer who answers these clearly and without dodging is showing you exactly how they'll handle the rest of your planning process too.
Define your Non-Negotiables first
Before you even start reaching out to photographers, it helps to know your own Non-Negotiables — the things that are true priorities for you, not just nice-to-haves. Do you need someone with real experience directing large families? Do you care more about candid moments than posed portraits? Is a specific editing style a dealbreaker? Getting clear on this first makes the whole search faster, because you'll know within five minutes of looking at someone's work whether they're even in the running.
If you want the fuller version of this kind of planning advice, I wrote about it in my first blog— it goes deeper into Non-Negotiables, budgeting, and getting your priorities straight before you book anyone.
You're number one
I've spent years going to weddings to see the beautiful ceremony site is WAY too much sun, pivoting to a rainy day plan, running from one end of the property to the other, hoarding family members like cats for family photos, and more. From my point of view, regardless whether or not you choose me for your wedding, engagement, or proposal, the biggest takeaway from all of this shouting into the void is that your vendors should have your best interest in mind. Period. If they don't, then the vibe doesn't check. This is something you are going to want to INVEST in, not just your money but your piece of mind.
With that -- Let's see if we're a match
