How to Choose a WeddingPhotographer in Oregon

(From a Photographer’s Point of View)

If you’ve started searching for a wedding photographer in Oregon, you’ve probably realized pretty quickly that there are a lot of options. Different styles, different price points, different personalities — and somehow everyone sounds great online.

So instead of adding more noise, I want to make this simple.

This is the advice I’d give a friend if we were sitting across from each other, coffee in hand, talking through what actually matters when it comes to choosing the person who’ll be with you for one of the biggest days of your life.

Start with how the photos make you feel

Before you worry about price, availability, or packages, look at the photos themselves.

Not how trendy they are.Not how “Pinterest-perfect” they look.

How they feel.

Do they feel calm? Emotional? Natural?Do you notice the moments — or just the poses?

There’s no right or wrong answer here. Some couples love structure and direction. Others want their day to unfold without feeling like they’re constantly being stopped or adjusted. What matters is choosing someone whose style already matches what you’re drawn to.

If you’re consistently saving images that feel real and unforced, that’s probably not an accident.

Documentary vs. posed (in real life terms)

You’ll hear the word “documentary” a lot — and it doesn’t mean zero guidance or chaos.

For me, documentary-style wedding photography means paying attention to what’s actually happening instead of manufacturing moments. It means letting things unfold, stepping in when needed, and knowing when to step back.

You’ll still get portraits.You’ll still look amazing.

You just won’t feel like you’re performing all day.

If the idea of being told exactly where to stand and how to hold your hands makes you tense up a little, that’s worth listening to.

Your photographer is part of your day — not just a vendor

This part doesn’t get talked about enough.Your photographer is with you during some of the most emotional, fast-moving, and intimate moments of your wedding day. If you don’t feel comfortable around them, it shows — not just in how the day feels, but in the photos themselves.

You should feel like you can:

• Take a breath

• Laugh when something goes wrong

• Be yourself without overthinking

If a consultation feels easy and natural, that’s usually a very good sign.

About pricing (without making it awkward)

Wedding photography pricing in Oregon varies a lot, and that can feel confusing — especially when you’re comparing options online.

Higher price doesn’t automatically mean better. But it often reflects experience, consistency, and the ability to handle unexpected moments calmly when timelines shift, lighting changes, or plans fall apart a little (because they always do).Instead of asking, “Is this expensive?” it can be more helpful to ask,“Does this feel worth it to us?”

One honest reminder

At the end of the day, your wedding photos are one of the few things that last long after the day itself. The flowers fade, the cake gets eaten, and the schedule disappears — but the photos stay.

If you choose someone whose work feels honest and whose presence feels grounding, you’re probably making the right choice.

And if you’re looking for wedding photography in Oregon that focuses on real moments, movement, and how the day actually felt — I’d love to talk.

Let's Talk

—Carrie Schlecht

Carrie Schlecht Photography

Oregon + Pacific Northwest