6 Unrealistic Expectations For Your Wedding Photographer (and How to Have Realistic Ones)

My sweet friends over at Elegant Affairs inspired me when they wrote about the 10 mistakes couple’s make when planning their wedding. It got me thinking that I should write a similar blog about the things photographers wished their couple’s knew when hiring their wedding photographer.

Hiring a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your big day. These are the photos that will tell the story of one of the most meaningful days of your life — something you’ll look back on for decades to come. As exciting as this decision is, it often comes with a lot of expectations — some realistic and others… not so much.

Over the years, I’ve seen couples with expectations that don’t always align with what is truly possible or what will serve them best. And it’s not their fault! There’s so much information out there (thanks, Pinterest and Instagram!) that can set people up to expect something that doesn’t quite match the reality of what a photographer can provide.

If you’re planning your wedding, I want to help set you up for success — not just with your photos, but with your entire experience. Here are some of the biggest unrealistic expectations couples often have when hiring a wedding photographer — and what you should expect instead.

1. Expecting Every Single Moment to Be Captured

It’s natural to want every little moment documented — every hug, every laugh, every detail. But the truth is, no photographer can capture everything. A wedding day moves fast, and photographers are human too. We prioritize the key moments — the ones that truly tell the story of your day — while doing our best to capture as many in-between moments as possible. This is also why I include a second photographer in every wedding package.

Realistic Expectation: Trust your photographer’s expertise to capture the most meaningful moments. The best photos are often the ones that evoke the feeling of the day, not necessarily every little thing that happened. I promise, we even photograph other couples and families, not just wedding details and moments.

2. Pinterest-Perfect Re-Creations

I know how tempting it is to scroll through Pinterest and fall in love with certain poses or setups. But every wedding is unique — different lighting, locations, and people. While inspiration is great, copying someone else’s exact photo can take away from the authenticity of your story.

Realistic Expectation: Share your inspiration, but be open to your photographer’s creative vision. The most beautiful photos happen when you’re present in the moment, not trying to replicate someone else’s day.

3. Expecting Every Photo to Be Magazine-Worthy

Not every photo will be a perfectly curated masterpiece — and that’s a good thing! Some of the best images are the imperfect ones: the wind messing up your hair, the teary eyes during a speech, or the belly laughs on the dance floor.

Realistic Expectation: Embrace the imperfections. Those raw, unscripted moments often end up being the most cherished memories. I do try and give extra photos so you have many photos to choose from.

4. Instant Turnaround

I get it — you’re so excited to see your photos! But editing a full wedding gallery takes time, care, and attention to detail. Every image is individually processed to bring out the best colors, lighting, and emotion — and that doesn’t happen overnight.

Realistic Expectation: Ask your photographer what their typical turnaround time is and trust that the wait will be worth it. (Pro tip: A sneak peek gallery is a great compromise if you’re feeling extra eager!)

5. A Full Gallery with Hundreds of Perfectly Edited Photos

Quality always trumps quantity. While you might receive hundreds of images, not every moment needs to be included. Photographers curate galleries to tell the story of your day in the most impactful way — not just to fill up a folder with duplicates or near-identical shots.

Realistic Expectation: Expect a thoughtfully curated gallery that highlights the best moments, not just every single photo taken.

6. Receiving Raw Images

It’s not uncommon for couples to ask for raw images, thinking they’ll get every single photo from the day. However, raw images are unprocessed, unfinished files that don’t represent the final vision of your photographer’s work. They require special software to view and don’t reflect the quality or artistry that goes into the final product.

Realistic Expectation: Trust your photographer to deliver fully edited images that showcase your day in the best light. Photographers invest hours into editing to create a cohesive, beautiful gallery — raw files would only diminish that vision.

My Final Thoughts

At the heart of it all, wedding photography is about capturing how your day felt, not just how it looked. The more you trust your photographer’s vision and allow the day to unfold naturally, the more powerful and authentic your photos will be.

If you’re in the process of hiring a photographer, take the time to communicate your vision, ask questions, and find someone whose style and approach align with what matters most to you. Let go of perfection, trust the process, and remember — the most beautiful moments are often the ones you never planned for.

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Be sure to check out last weeks post about mistakes couples make when planning their wedding and how to elevate your wedding details.