How Much Experience Should a Wedding Photographer Have?

When it comes to wedding photography in Boise, experience truly makes all the difference. Your wedding day will fly by—and there’s no redo. Hiring a photographer who has captured at least 50+ weddings or has multiple years of experience ensures they’re ready for anything the day throws at them. From timeline delays to tricky lighting conditions, experienced photographers know how to handle it all while staying calm and collected.

If you're on a tight budget, you might be tempted to book a newer photographer. And while there's always a chance you'll have a great experience, it's important to understand the risk—your photos may not turn out how you hoped. Remember: in the world of Idaho wedding photography, you often get what you pay for.

Does Their Editing Style Match Your Long-Term Vision?

Your wedding photos aren’t just for Instagram—they're for life. So when searching for a wedding photographer, be sure to find someone whose editing style reflects what you want your photos to look like now and decades from now.

Ask yourself: Do you want trendy warm-toned photos, or are you drawn to timeless, true-to-color images? Editing styles come and go, but the best wedding photos will always reflect your personality and style. Think about what will still make you smile in 30 or 50 years. Brides and grooms often love a clean, natural style that feels authentic and true to the moment.

Should You Book an Engagement Session with Your Photographer?

Absolutely! Even if you've already had engagement photos taken, scheduling an engagement session with your wedding photographer is incredibly helpful. It allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera and see how your photographer works. This session helps build a connection so that on your wedding day, it doesn’t feel like a stranger is documenting the most intimate parts of your life.

Engagement sessions also give your photographer insight into your personality and how you interact as a couple. This helps them pose and guide you more naturally on your big day. At Yasinski Photography, many of our wedding couples have said their engagement session helped reduce stress and eliminate any awkwardness come wedding day.

How Long Should You Expect to Wait for Wedding Photos?

Every wedding photographer in Idaho works on a different timeline. Most professional photographers send sneak peek photos within the first week, which gives you a few images to share and celebrate while waiting for the full gallery.

But how long should the full wedding gallery take? Based on industry standards in Boise and surrounding areas, most experienced photographers deliver the complete gallery within 8 to 14 weeks. That said, editing hundreds (sometimes thousands) of photos takes time, especially if the photographer is editing them personally to ensure consistency and quality.

Be cautious with extremely fast turnarounds—like 1 to 2 weeks—as they often indicate a rushed job or inexperience. While some professionals can deliver quickly and with high quality, they usually charge a premium for this service.

How Many Wedding Photos Should You Receive?

The number of edited photos you receive depends on how many hours your photographer is with you, but for a standard 8-hour wedding day, you should expect a minimum of 350+ edited photos. Realistically, you should receive even more than that.  At Yasinski Photography, we personally guarantee 450+ with every 8-hour package and typically deliver between 600–800 because we don’t cap delivery—if it looks good, you get it!

You want a wedding photographer who will give you all of the best moments—getting ready, ceremony, portraits, reception details, and candid guest shots—without cutting corners.

Will Your Wedding Photographer Help Plan Your Photo Timeline?

A great wedding photographer does more than snap photos—they help you build a wedding day photo timeline. They’ll tell you how much time you’ll need for couple portraits, family photos, wedding party shots, and more. This ensures your day flows smoothly and nothing gets missed.

Look for a photographer who brings energy, confidence, and calm to your day. They should be friendly with your other vendors and work together as a team to keep everything aligned. The best wedding photographers are part documentarian, part cheerleader, and part wedding planner.

What Gear Should a Professional Photographer Have?

Professional gear matters more than you think. Your wedding photographer should come prepared with backup cameras, multiple batteries, dual SD card slots, and a variety of lenses to adapt to changing conditions. Always ask your photographer about their equipment.

If they say they're a “natural light photographer,” that may mean they lack experience or confidence shooting indoors or in low-light situations like receptions. A top-tier Idaho wedding photographer should be just as skilled shooting in a dark church as they are in golden hour sunshine.

While camera gear isn’t everything, there’s a baseline standard. If their camera costs under $1,000, that might be a red flag. Most professional photographers use camera bodies in the $2,000–$5,000 range (just for the body!) along with high-quality prime or zoom lenses.

Questions to Ask Your Boise Wedding Photographer

Before you sign a contract, ask your potential photographer these questions to help you feel confident in your decision:

• How long have you been doing wedding photography?
• How many weddings have you captured?
• Do you have backup gear (camera, batteries, SD cards)?
• Are you comfortable shooting in both indoor and outdoor lighting?
• I can be awkward in front of the camera—can you help me pose naturally?
• How long will it take for me to receive my full wedding gallery?
• How many wedding photos will I get?
• Will I receive any sneak peek photos after the wedding?