How to choose a wedding photographer in South Jersey & Philadelphia

I’ve photographed weddings across South Jersey and Philadelphia for more than 10 years, and the question I hear most isn’t about cameras. It’s “How do we even choose?” Here’s the honest answer I’d give a friend.

1. Start with the photographs, not the price

Every photographer has a style, even if they don’t name it. Some pose every moment. Others mostly step back and document what happens. My approach is documentary with a little direction: I get to know you, plan with you, then let your day unfold and catch what’s real. The quiet moments and the loud ones.

Look through a photographer’s work and ask yourself one thing: does this feel like us? If it does, everything else is details.

2. Look at full weddings, not just favorites

A portfolio shows a photographer’s best frames from many weddings. A full gallery shows you what they do all day: getting ready, the ceremony, family photos, the reception, the end of the night. Ask to see two or three complete weddings, ideally at venues like yours.

You can see full stories from my own couples on my Stories page, including Bishop Farmstead, Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, The Woolverton Inn, the Cescaphe Ballroom at the Ben and The Vie by Cescaphe in Philadelphia.

3. Ask who will actually photograph your wedding

Some studios book you under one name and send a different photographer. That’s not wrong, but you should know. At Twisted Oaks Studio, I photograph every wedding myself.

4. Understand what it costs, and what’s included

Wedding photography prices vary a lot, because collections include different things: hours of coverage, an engagement session, albums and prints, film, travel. Compare what’s actually included, not just the number.

My wedding collections start at $5,200. Every collection is custom tailored to your needs: everything you want, and nothing more. You can read more on my Investment page.

5. Book early, especially for peak season

Most of my couples book 1 to 3 years before their wedding. In New Jersey and Philadelphia, Saturdays from May through October are the first to go. If you have your date and venue, it’s worth reaching out now, even if the wedding feels far away.

6. Ask about their experience with your venue

A photographer who knows your venue knows where the light falls at 6pm, where to go if it rains, and how long it takes to walk from the ceremony to the portrait spot. A few venues I love working at:

• Bishop Farmstead, Shamong, NJ
• Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, Jobstown, NJ
• Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club, Farmingdale, NJ
• The Woolverton Inn, Stockton, NJ
• Cescaphe venues, including the Ballroom at the Ben and The Vie, Philadelphia, PA
• Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City, NJ
• ICONA Beach Resort, Wildwood, NJ

Haven’t found your venue yet? Ask your photographer. We see a lot of them.

7. Plan the timeline together

The best wedding photos come from a day that isn’t rushed. Good photographers help you plan: when to do the first look, how long family photos really take, when the light is best for portraits. At my studio, Sandi, my studio manager, builds your wedding-day timeline with you, so there’s time for the moments that matter.

8. Think about film

Film has a softness and depth that digital can’t quite copy. If you love that look, ask whether your photographer actually shoots it. I’m a film photographer, and I offer film photography as an add-on to any wedding collection or engagement session, alongside digital. You can see examples in the Film section of my Portfolio.

9. Don’t leave your photos on a screen

Ask about albums before you book. An heirloom album is the thing you’ll actually pick up in twenty years. Sandi designs each album with my couples once the photographs are done.

10. Meet them, even if it’s a video call

You’ll spend more of your wedding day with your photographer than with almost anyone else. Talk to them. You should feel comfortable, and you should feel like they get you.

Questions to ask any wedding photographer

• Will you personally photograph our wedding?
• Can we see two or three full wedding galleries?
• Have you worked at our venue, or one like it?
• What’s included, and what costs extra?
• Do you charge for travel?
• Do you offer an engagement session, film or albums?
• How do you help with the timeline?
• How and when do we receive our photos?

Frequently asked questions

Planning a wedding in South Jersey, Philadelphia or beyond? Tell me about your day. I’d love to hear about it.
— Jay Cassario, Twisted Oaks Studio