Wedding Photographer
- Moshe Chaim Katz
- May 4
- 4 min read
How to Choose a Wedding Photographer – and Avoid Regrets Later…
You’re about to make one of the most important decisions.
A wedding isn’t just another event. It’s a defining moment in life.
A day when you look at your groom and know — this is forever.
You’ve invested everything: time, energy, money, emotions.
You want everything to be perfect — the venue, the music, the dress, the décor, the rabbi.
And then comes the moment to choose your wedding photographer.
That’s where the trap begins.
Every photographer looks amazing on Instagram.
Everyone writes “emotional,” “high quality,” “next level.”
And that’s exactly what makes it hard to know who to choose.
In the end, from all you invested — only one thing remains:
The photographs.
The flowers will wilt. The music will fade. The hall will be cleared.
But the photos are what stay with you for a lifetime.
They’re what you’ll open every anniversary.
They’re what your children will look at.
They’re what will remind you how it felt — to be there.
What Can Go Wrong — and Can’t Be Fixed
Choosing a wedding photographer might seem simple, but it’s one of the most critical decisions in your planning process.
Because poor photography — cannot be fixed.
Moments not captured — are simply lost.
And when that happens, there’s no going back.
1.
The Most Important Moments Aren’t Captured
Walking to the chuppah, the first glance, the parents’ tears, the hug after the blessing —
If the photographer isn’t tuned in to these moments, they just won’t be in the album.
And unlike engagement photos, these can’t be redone.
They happen once. And then they’re gone.
2.
The Bride Doesn’t Look Good in the Photos
The wrong angle, harsh lighting, a veil casting shadows, an awkward expression —
Instead of feeling “like a princess,”
You feel pain: “This isn’t how I want to remember myself on my wedding day.”
3.
Frozen Faces, Lost Atmosphere
Overediting, cheap filters, a “one-style-fits-all” approach.
Smiles look fake, colors unnatural, backgrounds dull.
No warmth. No life. No emotion.
4.
The Photos Don’t Tell a Story
Sometimes you receive 1,200 files — but no storyline.
No connection between moments. No emotional journey.
Just a bunch of pictures.
But what you truly wanted — was a living, breathing memory.
What Makes a Great Wedding Photographer?
1.
He Captures Real Emotion
A real smile. A real tear.
That second when a father whispers something to his daughter.
No posing. No staging. Just being there when it happens.
That’s the difference between a photographer and a storyteller.
What to Ask Before Booking Your Photographer
You’ve seen the portfolio, felt a connection to the style — now ask questions that really matter:
1.
How many weddings have you photographed — and which types?
There’s a big difference between a Litvish wedding and a 400-guest Sephardic simcha.
A photographer who knows the structure, sensitivities, and flow of a Jewish Orthodox event
will be ready for the key moments.
2.
Are you the one photographing? Do you come with a team?
Sometimes the person on the phone isn’t the one showing up.
Make sure you know who will actually be there on your big day,
who’s photographing the groom, who’s with the bride, and how many photographers are present.
3.
What’s included in the package? How many photos? When and how do we get them?
How long does editing take?
Do we get all the photos or only the edited ones?
How are the files delivered — link, USB, cloud?
Is there backup storage?
Transparency = trust.
5.
What happens if there’s an emergency?
A real professional is prepared:
Backup photographer
Spare gear
A system in place for continuity
That’s what separates amateurs from pros.
A Story That Stays — and One That’s Lost
You can talk about cameras, editing, and packages.
But ultimately, choosing a wedding photographer is not a technical choice.
It’s an emotional one.
You’re choosing how your memories will look.
One Story That Stays Forever
A bride once told me:
“I don’t need dramatic shots. I just want you to capture the moment my father blesses me under the chuppah. He’s not expressive, but I know he’ll say something special. I want to remember that forever.”
And we captured it. Not staged. Not dramatic.
Just real.
He held her hand, paused a moment…
And whispered:
“Don’t change. You’re perfect just as you are.”
That photo now hangs in their living room.
And One Story That Was Lost
Another couple hired a “family friend” with a decent camera “as a favor.”
Everything looked fine during the wedding.
But when they got the photos:
The chuppah was photographed from behind
Faces weren’t visible
The bride was hidden in shadows
No emotional moments were captured
Some family members didn’t appear at all
They never made an album.
They said:
“It hurts too much to look. It’s better to have nothing.”
You’re Not Just Choosing a Photographer — You’re Choosing a Memory
A wedding photographer is not an expense. He’s an investment.
An investment in your memories, your feelings, your once-in-a-lifetime moments.
When you choose a photographer, you’re not just picking someone to press a button.
You’re choosing the person who will live with you through your photographs.
The one who will freeze your most tender, emotional, and human moments forever.
Because a year from now — or twenty —
What you’ll open won’t be the wedding menu or the guest list.
It’ll be the album.
And you’ll ask:
“Do I really look how I felt that day?”
“Do these photos tell our story — or just skim over it?”
That’s why in the end, it’s not a question of price.
It’s a question of what will remain.
With blessings,
Moshe Chaim Katz
Premium Jewish Orthodox Wedding Photographer
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