What Couples (and Photographers) Need to Know

As a professional wedding photographer, I've had the privilege of capturing countless love stories, each unique and deserving of the utmost care and attention. But recently, I've noticed a concerning trend in our industry (especially on Instagram)—one that affects both couples seeking photographers and photographers like myself who strive to provide a personal, heartfelt experience. I'm talking about the rise of wedding photography brokers.

For those unfamiliar of this kind of solicitation, wedding photography brokers are companies that advertise wedding photography services but don’t actually employ a dedicated team of photographers. Instead, they act as middlemen, outsourcing the entire job to freelancers or a range of subcontractors. While this might sound like a simple business model, it can lead to misunderstandings, mismatched expectations, and, in some cases, disappointment for couples on their big day.

Why Does This Matter?

1. Couples May Not Know What They’re Getting

When couples search online for a wedding photographer, they often believe they’re hiring a specific person or team whose work they’ve seen and admired. Unfortunately, with brokers, this isn’t always the case. The glossy portfolio on their website might not reflect the work of the photographer who will actually show up at your wedding. Couples deserve to know exactly who is capturing their once-in-a-lifetime moments, not a random freelancer assigned at the last minute.

2. Photographers Lose the Personal Connection

For many of us, photography is more than a job—it’s a deeply personal craft. We take the time to build relationships with our clients, understand their love stories, and tailor our photograhy and editing approach to their unique needs. When brokers step in, this connection is severed. Photographers are often reduced to being cogs in a machine, disconnected from the couple and stripped of the opportunity to deliver a truly memorable experience.

3. Quality Control Can Suffer

Brokers prioritize volume over quality. Their focus is often on booking as many clients as possible, leaving little room for rigorous vetting or ensuring the photographers they hire maintain consistent standards. This can lead to uneven results—a gamble no couple should have to take with their wedding memories.

Quality Control Experience

I have personally seen brokers from out of the state asking for a lead photographer to fill a wedding in California.  The brokers asked that you have a website for evaluation or simply a photo gallery account with just one assignment, and believe it or not it didn't have to be a wedding gallery! The problem with this is the booking company is out of state and usually paying mediocre rates for their photographers and this could lead to a no show if the photographer finds a higher paying assignment, which in turn forces the broker to then fill the position with anyone to save face.

How to Spot a Wedding Photography Broker

If you’re a couple looking for a wedding photographer, here are a few red flags that might indicate you’re dealing with a broker:

• Generic Business Name: Look for vague language like “Our team of photographers” without specific names or bios. Legitimate photographers usually showcase their individual style and identity with photos on their about page or during a Zoom discovery meeting.

• Contact Form ask: “what state you’re in?”: If their websites contact forum that you fill out asks what state you live in then you’re almost certainly dealing with a broker who is advertising to the entire country and then fielding photographers in said state.

• Inconsistent Portfolios: If the photos on their website seem to vary widely in style and quality, it could indicate multiple photographers’ work rather than a cohesive vision. *Pro Tip: look for individual couples blog post on the photographers website, if they don’t show a blog page then you’re probably dealing with a broker.

• Limited Contact with the Photographer: If the company is hesitant to let you meet or speak directly with your photographer before booking, that’s a major warning sign.

• Too-Good-to-Be-True Pricing: While affordability is important, extremely low prices and huge discounts could mean the company is cutting corners by hiring inexperienced photographers and editing their photos themselves to hide inadequate ability.

How to Become a Lead Wedding Photographer, the right way

The journey to becoming a lead wedding photographer involves building skills and gaining experience through a structured progression. Start by training as a third assistant photographer, where you can observe and assist without the pressure of major responsibilities. This role allows you to learn the flow of a wedding day and understand how to support the lead photographer by setting up and packing their equipment. Next, move up to photographer assistant, where you'll take on more active duties, such as capturing alternate angles and helping with photographing the grooms side of getting ready pre wedding. Finally, once you've mastered the technical and interpersonal aspects of wedding photography, you can step into the role of lead photographer after a minimum of 30 weddings as an assistant, taking full responsibility for capturing a couple's special day with confidence and artistry.