I'm not going to give you a generic checklist for choosing any wedding photographer — there's plenty of that already online. I'm going to tell you specifically how I work, and what's worth asking me (or any documentary-style photographer) if that's the approach you're looking for.
Every year I talk to dozens of couples who come to the call having seen only the 20 prettiest photos from a portfolio on Instagram. This is what I tell them myself in that first conversation.
First, decide what kind of memory you want to have
Before requesting quotes from anyone, ask yourself a simple question: when you imagine looking at your photos in ten years, what do you want to feel? If the answer is "I want to relive exactly how that day happened," you're probably looking for documentary style. If the answer is "I want a perfect, polished image from start to finish," you're probably looking for a more traditional or posed style.
There's no right answer — there's the one that's right for you. The most common mistake I see is hiring based on an Instagram aesthetic without asking whether the process behind that style (more directed or less directed) will feel comfortable on the actual day.
Don't judge a photographer by their highlight reel
Ask to see at least two or three complete weddings, start to finish — not just the curated selection. That's where the real difference between photographers shows: how they handle a low-light reception, whether they keep the same quality in hour 8 as in hour 1, whether there's variety between details, portraits, and spontaneous moments, or whether everything looks the same.
A full gallery also tells you something about that person's working rhythm — something no single photo will show you.
Ask about experience with your type of venue
Photographing a hacienda in sunset light isn't the same as an indoor hall with artificial lighting, or a ceremony by the lake. Someone with local experience in Jalisco already knows how light behaves at the region's most sought-after venues, and that shows in the result — without having to learn it on the fly on your wedding day.
Five questions worth asking
- How many weddings do you shoot per year, and how many at a venue similar to mine?
- How do you handle low light or unexpected weather?
- Do you have a backup plan if you get sick or there's an emergency on the day?
- How long does it take to deliver the final photos?
- Can I see one of your full weddings, not just the highlight reel?
If someone can't answer these clearly, that's a signal.
Why the documentary style isn't for every couple
I'll be direct because I'd rather do that than sell you something you won't like: if you need control over every image, if it makes you uncomfortable not knowing exactly what will show up on camera, or if your priority is a perfectly uniform aesthetic, documentary is probably not your style. And that's completely fine — there are excellent traditional photographers in Guadalajara who will give you exactly that.
I work differently: I don't direct poses, I follow natural light, and I let the story of the day tell itself. It's worked for me for over twelve years documenting weddings in Jalisco and abroad, but that doesn't make it the right approach for everyone — it makes it the right approach for whoever is looking for exactly that.
If after reading this you feel the documentary style is for you, you can see my full body of work in the portfolio, check packages and pricing, or we can talk directly about your date.
And if you want to understand more about why I don't direct the scene on the wedding day, you might like how I document a wedding without directing the scene.