How to Choose the Perfect Colorado Wedding Photographer for Your Style
Your wedding photos are so much more than just pretty pictures for Instagram. They’re how you’ll remember how the day felt. The squeeze-your-hand moments, the forehead kisses, the happy crying, the belly laughs, and the way your people showed up for you. That’s why choosing the right Colorado wedding photographer isn’t just about style (though that’s part of it), it’s about finding someone who gets you. Someone who knows how to blend in when it matters, step up when needed, and document your day in a way that feels honest, intentional, and true to you. Whether you’re planning a mountain-top ceremony or an intimate backyard dinner party, the photographer you choose should feel like someone you trust to tell the whole story, exactly the way it unfolded.
How to Find a Colorado Wedding Photographer That Matches Your Style
Before diving into inquiries and timelines, take a minute to ask yourself: How do I want my wedding day to feel when I look back on it? Because photography isn’t one-size-fits-all. The style you gravitate toward will shape how your memories are captured, and how your day is experienced, too. Here's a quick breakdown of the most common styles you'll come across, plus a little bit about how I mix and match to create something that feels real, elevated, and entirely you.
Documentary / Candid
This style is all about real moments. Think laughter during champagne toasts, hugs that last a second too long, teary-eyed parents, spontaneous dance floor chaos, and that quick glance your partner gives you during the ceremony. It’s storytelling without a script.
How to spot it in a portfolio:
Look for photos that feel emotionally honest and unposed. You’ll probably see a lot of movement, imperfect moments, and people caught in-between things, not smiling straight at the camera.
Editorial / Fashion-Inspired
Editorial photography leans more into composition, lighting, and styling. It’s the kind of work you’d expect to see in a magazine: clean lines, intentional posing, stunning backdrops, and a little extra mood. It's elevated and artistic without feeling stiff (when done right!).
How to spot it in a portfolio:
Photos feel cinematic or styled, with attention to wardrobe, architecture, or symmetry. Look for images that feel polished but not overly perfect, more effortless chic than stiff poses.
Traditional / Pose-Focused
This is the classic, timeless approach: formal portraits, posed family photos, and all the “smile at the camera” shots. There’s a place for this style if you want a strong set of traditional images that everyone (looking at you, Grandma) will love.
How to spot it in a portfolio:
Everyone’s posed and looking directly at the camera. There’s often a focus on group shots, formal portraits, and fewer spontaneous moments.
My Style: A Little Editorial, A Lot of Candid
My editing style is clean and true-to-life with just a hint of film-inspired nostalgia, so your photos feel like you, just with a little extra glow. As a Colorado wedding photographer, I take a documentary-style approach with an editorial edge: letting the moments unfold naturally, while stepping in with light direction when it’s helpful (because no one should ever have to wonder what to do with their hands).
If you're into a mix of timeless and real, you’re my kind of people. We’ll definitely get those stunning, frame-worthy portraits with natural movement and easy prompts, but the heart of your gallery will live in the in-between moments. The emotion. The way your people show up. The little things that happen when you’re not paying attention, but want to remember forever.
How to Figure Out What You Love
Start with your Pinterest saves or camera roll. What kinds of images are you already drawn to? Do you love crisp, clean portraits? Grainy, black-and-white candids? Dramatic compositions?
Pay attention to how the photos feel. Do they feel like the couple was at ease? Do you get a sense of the energy of the day?
Ask yourself what matters most. Do you want lots of styled portraits, or are you more about the moments between you and your guests? Or both?
There’s no right answer, it’s just about what you want to remember and how you want it to look and feel when you revisit it all.
Look Beyond Instagram-Worthy Photos
It’s easy to get swept up in perfectly curated feeds; everything looks amazing, the edits are trendy, and it all looks effortlessly cool. But when it comes to your wedding photos, it’s worth asking: Will this still feel good in 20 years?
There’s a difference between photos that catch your eye and photos that actually mean something. That’s why my editing style leans clean and true-to-life, with just a little bit of film-inspired softness. Skin tones look natural, the colors reflect how the day really felt, and your photos won’t be tied to whatever editing trend is popular right now.
If you’re browsing portfolios, here’s a tip I always tell couples: Ask yourself, do these photos make me feel something? If the answer is yes, you’re in the right place.
Questions to Ask a Potential Colorado Wedding Photographer
Once you’ve found a few photographers whose work you love, it’s totally normal to wonder… Okay, but what are they actually like to work with? Pretty photos are great (obviously), but how it feels to be in front of their camera? That matters just as much, if not more.
Here are a few helpful questions to ask when you’re figuring out if someone’s the right fit:
“How do you balance candid moments with direction?”
Some photographers stay super hands-off, others are very pose-heavy. Personally, I live in that happy middle ground. I’ll step in with light direction or prompts when you need it (no stiff poses or “what do I do with my hands” panic), but I’m always watching for those real, unfiltered moments too. You don’t have to choose between the two; you can absolutely have both.
“What’s your approach to making couples feel comfortable?”
So many couples tell me they’re awkward in front of the camera, and spoiler alert: you’re not. You just need someone who makes it feel low-key and easy. I’ll give you movement to work with, we’ll chat, laugh, and take breaks when needed. No pressure, no weird modeling energy, just real connection and a little guidance to help you feel like yourselves.
“How do you handle lighting at outdoor venues in Colorado?”
Ah, yes, Colorado light. It’s beautiful, but also a little unpredictable (hi, sudden cloud cover and 3 pm sunshine that feels like a spotlight). I’ve worked in all kinds of conditions and bring a mix of experience, backup gear, and flexibility to handle whatever the day throws at us, so you can focus on getting married, not the sun’s angle.
“Will you guide us, or let things unfold naturally?”
Honestly, both. If you’re mid-embrace and it’s pure magic? I’m not interrupting. But if you need a little help getting started or just want to be told where to stand and what to do with your bouquet, I’ve got you. I read the room and meet you where you are, so it never feels forced.
Consider the Experience, Not Just the Portfolio
Sure, scrolling through a gallery of gorgeous photos is fun (and important!). But when it comes to choosing your Colorado wedding photographer, the experience of working with them matters just as much as what their work looks like. Because let’s be honest, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with your photographer on your wedding day. Like… a lot.
If you’re the kind of couple who values connection, wants someone calm when things get chaotic (and a little chaotic when it’s time to hype you up), and just genuinely enjoys being around good people, you’ll want more than just a pretty portfolio. Pay attention to how a photographer makes you feel. Do their emails sound like a real human? Do they take time to get to know you? Do you feel relaxed, heard, maybe even a little excited after chatting with them?
Photographer tip: your engagement session is the perfect “test run.” Not only does it give us a chance to vibe before the wedding, but it also helps you both get comfortable in front of the camera and see how I shoot and direct in real time. It’s like a low-pressure warm-up, so by the time your wedding rolls around, it already feels familiar and easy.
The best wedding photos happen when there’s trust, comfort, and a little bit of fun along the way. And if that sounds like your kind of experience, you might’ve just found your Colorado wedding photographer!
Colorado-Specific Things to Think About
Getting married in Colorado? You already know you’ve got the epic scenery part covered, but there are a few very Colorado things to keep in mind while you’re planning.
First up: the weather. It’s a character in your day! One minute you’re basking in sunshine, the next minute there’s a wind gust or a pop-up rainstorm (or, you know… snow in June). Altitude can also be sneaky, so bring water, sunscreen, and maybe don’t plan a sunrise hike if half your guest list is flying in from sea level.
That said, this state gives you some of the most jaw-dropping ceremony backdrops around. And as a Colorado wedding photographer, I’m always scouting the light and watching the weather so you don’t have to think about it. Colorado’s mountain light changes fast, but when you know how to work with it, it can be absolute magic.
Garden of the Gods – A classic! The red rock formations here are unreal, especially at sunrise or golden hour.
Rocky Mountain National Park – Dreamy alpine views, lakes, and wide open spaces. Permit required, but so worth it.
Telluride – Remote and stunning, with venues like San Sophia Overlook and The Peaks Resort that make you feel like you’re on top of the world.
Aspen – High elevation elegance. The Little Nell and T-Lazy-7 Ranch are perfect if you want chic-meets-mountain energy.
Vail – Gorgeous in every season, with spots like Piney River Ranch (canoes and wildflowers!) and Vail Wedding Deck for that panoramic ceremony moment.
Whether you’re eloping on a trail or planning a full wedding weekend at a mountain ranch, having a Colorado wedding photographer who knows how to navigate the weather, light, and terrain makes a huge difference. And I’ll be right there with you, tracking the forecast, chasing the good light, and carrying the emergency snacks.
Budget vs. Value
Let’s talk money, because figuring out your wedding budget is no small thing, and photography is one of those line items that can vary a lot. You might be wondering why some photographers charge $2,000 while others charge closer to $8,000+. It’s a totally fair question.
Here’s the thing: pricing often reflects experience, demand, editing time, gear, how much time you actually get with your photographer (before, during, and after the wedding), and how they show up to support you beyond just pressing a shutter. It’s not just about the hours on the wedding day; it’s everything leading up to it and everything that comes after.
The couples I work with? They’re not just looking for someone to show up and take pretty photos. They see photography as a time capsule. An investment in how it felt, not just how it looked. They want to remember the hugs, the laughter, the way the light hit the mountains right before dinner. And they trust me to capture all of that with care.
If you’re in the early stages of planning, my biggest advice is to figure out what truly matters most to you. Is it the photos? The food? The experience your guests have? There’s no wrong answer, but once you know, you can invest accordingly and feel good about where your budget is going.
And if photography is something you know you’ll treasure for years to come, make sure you find someone whose work feels right and who you trust to tell your story fully, not just check a box on a shot list.
Ready to Book a Colorado Wedding Photographer Who Fits Your Style?
At the end of the day, choosing your Colorado wedding photographer isn’t just about the style of their edits or the gear in their bag; it’s about connection, trust, and finding someone who just gets you. Someone whose presence feels easy, who hypes you up when needed, knows when to blend into the background, and genuinely cares about telling your story the way it deserves to be told.
It’s okay to take your time and trust your gut. Look for work that moves you, and a person behind the camera who feels like someone you’d want to hang with on one of the most meaningful days of your life.
Reach out here if you’re looking for candid, editorial, true-to-life photos and a photographer who’ll let you be present, enjoy the party, and relive it all later in the most meaningful way
If you’re planning a Colorado mountain wedding, check out my blogs, Crested Butte Wedding Guide: Why This Mountain Town is Perfect for Your Big Day, How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Photography Package for Your Celebration, and The Best Mountain Wedding Venues in Colorado.
And if you’re planning a destination wedding, check out The Ultimate Amalfi Coast Wedding Guide: For Your Destination Wedding in Italy.