Your wedding photos and video will capture the memories of your big day for a lifetime – so finding the right photographer and videographer is crucial. Pittsburgh has a talented pool of wedding photographers and videographers, ranging from documentary-style storytellers to fine-art visionaries. But how do you choose the team that’s perfect for you? Here are some key steps and tips to help Pittsburgh couples find and select the ideal photographer and videographer for their wedding.

Determine Your Style and Vision

Start by figuring out what photography and videography style resonates with you. Browse Pittsburgh wedding blogs, Instagram, and photographers’ websites. Do you prefer:

  • Traditional and Posed: Timeless portraits where everyone is looking at the camera, beautiful compositions, classic lighting.
  • Documentary/Photojournalistic: Candid moments captured as they happen, with genuine emotion and minimal posing.
  • Artistic and Dramatic: Creative angles, use of shadows and light, possibly bold colors or contrast – photographs that look like art pieces.
  • Moody and Romantic: Soft lighting, maybe warm or muted tones, lots of emphasis on the atmosphere and small details.
  • Fun and Quirky: Lots of laughter shots, bright true colors, playful poses or use of props.

Pittsburgh photographers run the gamut – from those known for epic nighttime skyline shots (imagine you two with the city lights behind) to those who focus on intimate emotional exchanges. Videographers also vary: some create cinematic highlight films with music and voiceovers, others do more chronological documentary edits, and some specialize in cool extras like drone footage (great for capturing that shot of your venue by the three rivers or a sweeping view of your outdoor ceremony).

Jot down a few adjectives that describe how you want your wedding memories to look. This will help you communicate with potential photographers and videographers and see if they align with your vision.

Set a Budget (Be Realistic but Open)

Photography and videography are significant parts of the wedding budget. In Pittsburgh, you’ll find a range of pricing. As mentioned earlier, Pittsburgh’s wedding photographer prices tend to be a bit more affordable than some cities – roughly 28% lower than the national average, according to one analysis​

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. For example, you might find a talented newer photographer offering packages starting around $2,000, while top-of-the-line, highly experienced photographers in the city may charge $5,000-$7,000+ for full-day coverage and albums. Videography packages can range from $1,500 for basic coverage up to $4,000-$5,000 for a deluxe package with multiple shooters and same-day edits.Determine how much you’re comfortable spending, but also keep value in mind. These images and films are a lifelong keepsake. Sometimes spending a bit more for someone whose work you truly love is worth it. Many photographers offer customizable packages – maybe you opt for a smaller package to fit your budget (e.g., 8 hours instead of 10, or skip the engagement session) to get the photographer you really want.

Also, consider doing photo and video with the same studio if they offer both and you like both teams’ work. Some companies or partnerships in Pittsburgh do bundle deals for hiring them together, which could save a little.

Research and Shortlist Pittsburgh Photographers/Videographers

Now, start the hunt. Some ways to find great talent in Pittsburgh:

  • Local Wedding Directories: Check resources like The Knot or WeddingWire, filtering for Pittsburgh. Look at reviews and portfolios.
  • Social Media: Search hashtags like #PittsburghWeddingPhotographer or #PittsburghWeddingVideo on Instagram. Often you’ll discover up-and-coming creatives this way.
  • Referrals: Ask recently married friends or your wedding planner (if you have one) for recommendations. Personal experience can tell you a lot about professionalism and personality.
  • Bridal Shows: Pittsburgh has bridal shows (like the Pittsburgh Wedding Expo) where you can meet many vendors at once and see their work.

As you find photographers and videographers whose style you love, check their portfolios for Pittsburgh-specific experience. Do they have experience at your venue or similar venues? If you’re marrying at a dark church like Heinz Chapel or a dimly lit ballroom, it’s important the photographer can handle low light. If you want photos on the Smithfield Street Bridge or Mt. Washington overlook, see if they have great cityscape shots in their portfolio – it shows they know how to incorporate our skyline.

Make a shortlist of 3-5 photographers and 3-5 videographers that you really like (or fewer, if some do both). Check their availability for your date – prime Pittsburgh dates book up over a year in advance for in-demand photographers, so reach out early.

Meet and Ask the Right Questions

Set up consultations (in person or via video call) with your shortlisted pros. This is like a first date – you want to see if it’s a good personality fit, because you’ll be spending a lot of time with them on a very important day! During the meeting, aside from gauging whether you feel comfortable, ask questions like:

  • Are you available on my date? (obviously!)
  • How many weddings have you shot, and have you shot at [your venue] or similar venues? – Experience matters.
  • Can we see a full wedding gallery or full wedding video? – Portfolios show the highlight reel, but a full gallery shows how they cover the entire day, including tougher lighting situations or less “glamorous” parts. For video, a full film or two lets you see storytelling.
  • What is included in your packages? – Hours of coverage, number of photographers/videographers, prints or albums, raw footage, etc.
  • What is the turnaround time? – How long after the wedding until you get your photos/video? Pittsburgh photographers typically range from 4-8 weeks for photos. Video edits might take a couple of months depending on complexity.
  • How do you handle low-light situations or rain (or other specific concerns)? – Pittsburgh’s weather can be tricky; a seasoned pro will have external flashes, light setups, or backup plans for rain (like willingness to shoot under an umbrella, etc.).
  • Do you have backup equipment? – They absolutely should. Redundancy is key for professional shooters.
  • What happens if you are ill or an emergency occurs on the wedding day? – Ensure they have a plan (an associate photographer on call, etc. – though this scenario is rare, it’s good to know).
  • For videographers: What is your style in editing? More cinematic (montage and music) or documentary (in order, with full ceremony/toasts)? Can we request specific songs or are they licensed music only?
  • For photographers: How would you describe your working style on the day? (Some are very hands-on, posing everything; others are ninjas in the background capturing moments. Make sure it matches what you want.)
  • Have you worked with [videographer] before? – If you’re hiring separate companies, it’s a plus if they have a good working relationship or at least a mutual respect for staying out of each other’s shots. Many Pittsburgh photo and video pros know each other; asking can’t hurt.

Take notes on not just their answers, but your gut feeling. You want someone who instills confidence and feels excited about your day. If a photographer lights up hearing about your Kennywood Park proposal and starts brainstorming cute photo ideas on the spot, that’s a great sign. If someone is late to the meeting or seems disinterested, maybe not the best vibe for your wedding.

Evaluate Packages and Options

After meetings, compare your top choices in terms of what you get for the price. Perhaps one photographer’s base package is 8 hours coverage with 1 photographer, and another offers 10 hours with a second shooter for a similar price – but the first one’s work blows you away more. Decide what’s important. Second shooters are valuable, especially for larger weddings, so that moments in both bride’s and groom’s getting-ready rooms can be captured simultaneously, for example. Many top Pittsburgh photographers include a second shooter or assistant. For video, a second shooter means more angles and usually a better final product (one can focus on wide shots while the other gets close-ups, etc.).

Also consider add-ons: Do you want an engagement session (great for getting comfortable with the photographer and for using pics for save-the-dates)? An album or prints (sometimes can be decided after the wedding too)? For video, do you want raw footage in addition to the edited film, or maybe a same-day edit or next-day teaser to share quickly?

If a package doesn’t include something you want, ask if they can customize. Many vendors will tailor a bit – for instance, swap an engagement session for an extra hour of wedding day coverage if you already have engagement photos.

Check References and Reviews

Before finalizing, do a quick due diligence. Read reviews on The Knot, WeddingWire, or Google for those vendors. Keep in mind, even great businesses might have a couple of less-than-perfect reviews (things happen), but you’re looking for consistency. If many reviews praise their friendliness, professionalism, and end results, you’re likely in good hands.

If you really want, you can ask the photographer for a reference – maybe a past client you could email. Many couples are happy to share their experience. This can be especially reassuring if you have something specific you’re worried about (like how they handled a schedule delay or a rain plan).

Make Your Decision and Book Early

Once you’ve found “the one(s),” don’t hesitate too long – dates fill up. Popular Pittsburgh photographers can book out 12-18 months in advance for Saturdays. Secure your date with a contract and deposit as soon as you’re sure. Be sure to read the contract’s fine print regarding payment schedule, cancellation policy, and ownership of images (most photographers will allow personal use of images but retain copyright; videographers usually the same for footage).

Prepare for Success: Communicate and Plan

After booking, your photographer and videographer will likely guide you, but be proactive in keeping communication clear:

  • Share your itinerary as it evolves. They might give input if, say, your timeline doesn’t have enough buffer for traveling between the church in Oakland and the reception in Cranberry (Pittsburgh traffic can surprise you, especially if there’s a game or event).
  • Shot list: Most photographers welcome a short list of must-get shots (especially any non-obvious ones like “photo with college roommates” or “a generations photo with grandma, mom, and me”). But avoid giving an overly long shot list pulled from Pinterest – trust them to capture the moments. Instead, emphasize what’s unique to you(heirloom items, special guests or moments).
  • Engagement session: If doing one, treat it as a practice. You’ll learn poses and chemistry, and you can also scout photo spots. A lot of Pittsburgh couples love engagement shoots at places like the North Shore with the skyline, or Mellon Park’s walled garden, etc. Use it to get comfortable.
  • Discuss rain plan or backup plans: If you were set on outdoor portraits in Schenley Park but it pours, do you move to the Cathedral of Learning lobby or have clear umbrellas ready? Your photographers usually have ideas – chat about Plan B, C.

On the wedding day, try to relax and trust the professionals. The best photos and videos happen when you’re enjoying yourself and in the moment. If you’ve done your homework and chosen people whose work and personality you love, you can feel confident that they’ll do an amazing job capturing your day.

And when it’s all done, you’ll have incredible photos and a heartfelt video to relive those moments – seeing the joy on your faces with Pittsburgh’s skyline behind you, or hearing your vows again as the camera pans the candlelit Heinz Chapel. Those are priceless. With the right photographer and videographer, your Pittsburgh wedding story will be told in the most beautiful way, for you to cherish forever.