When you’re planning a wedding, there is A LOT going on, talk of budgets, finding venues, managing family relationships. It may be hard to figure out where to start with your planning if you’re feeling overwhelmed, but one of the most important tasks you should tackle early is booking your wedding photographer. Maybe I’m a little biased, but your wedding photos are THE thing that lasts after your wedding day. These are your memories that you will be carrying with you and passing down to future generations. So, finding a great photographer is not something you want to sleep on! In this blog post, we’ll explore when to book your wedding photographer in central NY, factors that can affect your timeline, and tips for securing the perfect professional to capture your big day.

Why Booking Your Wedding Photographer Early Matters

Wedding photographers are more than just vendors—we’re artists capturing one of the most emotional and significant days of your life. I would also argue that we provide so many services outside your photos too! We are there all-day helping things remain streamlined, providing an unbiased and open ear for any wedding day jitters, and reminding you to go be present in the moment while we take care of documenting everything! The best photographers often book up fast, especially in popular wedding seasons. If you wait too long, you risk missing out on the photographer whose style and personality perfectly align with your vision.

When to Book Your Wedding Photographer: The Ideal Timeline

12-18 Months Before Your Wedding Date

As you begin your planning you’ll probably find that most sources recommend booking your wedding photographer 12 to 18 months in advance. In central NY, where wedding seasons are highly dependent on weather, this timeline is especially critical for peak months like June, September, and October. (Trying to get on a photographer’s calendar in October around here is NO JOKE!) These months are popular for their moderate temperatures and stunning foliage. Y’all have seen peak leaf time in the Adirondacks right?!

For couples planning summer or fall weddings, reaching out to photographers as soon as you’ve set a date is essential.

8-12 Months Before Your Wedding Date

If you’re getting married in what we consider off-peak season, season like winter or early spring, you have a little more wiggle room in your timeline. Booking 8-12 months in advance can still secure you a great photographer. Keep in mind, though, that experienced photographers often take on fewer weddings during slower seasons, so availability can still be limited.

What May Impact When to Book

Your Wedding Venue

While your photographer should be one of the first vendors you book, your venue should come first. Hold off on contacting photographers until you find the perfect venue, unless you’re willing to plan your wedding around your photographer’s availability. The venue and date are essential details your photographer will need to confirm availability.

Peak vs. Off-Peak Seasons

From the Finger Lake venues to the Adirondacks, upstate NY is overflowing in breathtaking landscapes. While this makes for stunning photos, it also means competition for photographers is fierce during peak seasons. Off-peak weddings can offer more flexibility and sometimes even discounted rates.

Photography Style

If you’re looking for a specific style—like candid, editorial, or documentary (read more about different photography styles here!)—start your search even earlier. Unique styles may require more research (google searches and venue referrals can be your friend here), and these photographers can book up faster due to their niche expertise.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long?

Waiting too long to book your wedding photographer can lead to:

• Limited options, especially for popular wedding dates.
• Higher prices, as some photographers may charge a premium for last-minute bookings.
• Missing out on photographers whose style you love.

If you find yourself behind schedule, don’t panic! There are still ways to find great photographers. And it certainly never hurts to reach out to your favorites to inquire. Many photographers, even if booked, can provide great referrals.

Tips for Booking the Perfect Wedding Photographer

Research, Research, Research

Start by looking at photographers’ websites, Instagram accounts, and reviews. In central NY, search for photographers who are familiar with the local scenery and venues to ensure they know how to make your backdrop shine. Using Instagram hashtags can be a good way to search for these attributes. While having shot at a specific venue before is not problematic for experienced photographers, you still want to have a conversation with them about how they will plan to approach the day at a new venue.

Schedule Consultations

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, set up a quick phone or zoom call. This helps you gauge their personality, professionalism, and ability to capture your vision. Remember that you will be spending a lot of time with your photographer. So, while you want to vibe with their artwork, you also want to make sure your personalities mesh well!

Review Full Galleries

A photographer’s portfolio should include full galleries of previous weddings, not just highlight reels. This will show their consistency across different lighting and settings. I have a post here about this topic because it’s so important to me.

Book ASAP if You Love Them

If a photographer feels like the perfect fit, don’t hesitate. Photographers you connect with will be in high demand, and dates can disappear quickly. Many photographers will not hold a date until a contract is signed and a retainer paid, so move quickly if they are the one. There’s nothing worse than deciding on a photographer to go back and find that your date has been booked.

Special Considerations for Upstate NY Couples

Seasonal Weather Challenges

Weather is unpredictable, with snowstorms in spring or rainy autumn days and it often feels like in upstate NY the forecast is changing constantly. A photographer experienced with these conditions can adapt to create beautiful images regardless of the forecast. Always bring up any concerns with your photographer during your initial consultation. While we can’t predict every scenario, photographers with experience can walk you through examples from past weddings or how they expect they might deal with a situation should it arise.

Travel Considerations

If you’re planning a wedding in a remote area like the Adirondacks or Finger Lakes, look for photographers accustomed to traveling and capturing unique destinations. Also remember that for remote areas you may need to provide accommodations for your photographer. While this is wholly dependent on each photographer, it is something to keep and mind and to work into your budget.

Local Vendor Networks

Many photographers collaborate with other local vendors. Booking early might give you access to recommendations for florists, planners, and makeup artists who share a cohesive style. Since many couples book the venue and then the photographer, the photographer can be a super great source of knowledge for further wedding needs!

Booking Last Minute? Here’s What to Do

While early booking is ideal, life doesn’t always go as planned. If you’re booking last minute, here’s how to increase your chances of finding a great photographer:

1. Be Flexible with your wedding date or photographer style.
2. Ask for Referrals from other vendors, as they often know photographers with availability.
3. Consider Weekday Weddings, which are less competitive for bookings.

Final Thoughts

Booking your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions in your wedding planning journey. By starting early, especially 12-18 months in advance, you can secure the photographer who will turn your dream day into timeless memories.

If you’re planning a wedding in Central NY, don’t wait to reach out! Photographers in this area book quickly and I know I speak for most photographers when I say we absolutely hate turning away awesome couples! Whether you’re envisioning an intimate lakeside ceremony or a grand celebration in the Adirondacks, finding the right photographer starts with early planning.

Ready to book your Central NY wedding photographer? Reach out today to chat about how we can make that happen.