Upstate NY Wedding Photography FAQ – Answers to Couples’ Top Questions

Upstate New York is a haven for outdoor weddings – think mountain vistas, lakeside ceremonies, and barnyard receptions. Many photographers in the region actually specialize in outdoor and adventure weddings. A great way to find them is by searching for terms like “Adirondack elopement photographer” or “Catskills outdoor wedding photography.” You’ll also find recommendations on local forums and Facebook groups; often, past brides will mention photographers who excelled at outdoor ceremonies (lighting can be tricky outside, so experience is key).

Pro Tip: When evaluating a photographer’s portfolio, check if they have galleries of outdoor weddings (farm, forest, lake, or mountain settings). If you see lots of golden-hour sun flares over fields or couples on mountain tops, that’s a good sign they love shooting outdoors! Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask a photographer directly about their experience with outdoor venues – a seasoned Upstate NY photographer should be able to cite specific favorite venues and how they handle weather or lighting surprises outside. (Yes, I personally adore outdoor weddings and have shot in venues from Lake George to the Catskills)

Take a look at an outdoor wedding below at Kuyahoora resort!

Offering an engagement session as part of the wedding package is very common among Upstate NY wedding photographers (and generally across the industry). In fact, about 62% of couples do a pre-wedding engagement shoot, and many photographers include that shoot in their standard packages. When you’re researching photographers, look at the package details on their websites – it will often say “Includes engagement session” if so. Photographers know that engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable with a couple before the big day, so it’s a feature they love to offer. Rebecca Loomis Photography also includes engagement sessions in certain collections – this gives us a chance to know each other and for you to get used to being in front of the camera before wedding day.

If a package doesn’t explicitly include it, many photographers will add an engagement session at a discounted rate when you book your wedding with them. Always ask!

An engagement shoot is not only a fun way to celebrate your engagement, but you’ll also end up with lovely photos for your save-the-dates or wedding website. Plus, it helps build trust with your photographer.

Bottom line: you won’t have trouble finding an Upstate NY photographer who offers an engagement session bundle – it’s almost expected nowadays (and for good reason).

Most full-service wedding photographers will offer some kind of printed album or photo book as an add-on – it’s one of those heirloom products many couples cherish after the wedding. In Upstate NY, you’ll find that mid-range to high-end photographers almost always have custom albums in their top packages or as an a-la-carte option. The key is to look on the photographer’s “Investment” or “Packages” page – if they mention words like “heirloom album,” “signature wedding album,” or “custom wedding album,” that’s your cue.

Rebecca Loomis Photography explicitly offers wedding albums in customized packages (along with other perks like second shooters). This means we work with you to design a beautiful keepsake album with your favorite photos – you choose the images and any preferences, and I’ll handle the design and printing through a professional lab so you get the highest-quality book that’ll last your relationship.

Many photographers do similar: some will include a basic album in a higher package, or they’ll have it as an add-on you can purchase after the wedding. When comparing photographers, don’t hesitate to ask about album options – inquire about cover materials, page thickness, and if they allow revisions in the design proof.

Also, consider the value: a photographer who offers a custom album is showing that they care about delivering your memories in tangible form, not just digital files. It’s a nice sign of full service. Just keep in mind, albums can be a significant extra cost (few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on size and quality), but couples often say it’s worth it to have that first family heirloom.

Many photographers provide a second shooter (some call it a second photographer) for weddings, especially if the event is large or if the package is more premium. In Upstate NY, it’s common practice: hiring a second shooter helps ensure all angles and moments are covered. For instance, one photographer can photograph the bride getting ready while the other is with the groom, or one focuses on candid guest shots while the other handles the must-have portraits.

At Rebecca Loomis Photography, I offer a second shooter for most full-day weddings – it’s even mentioned that I create packages “from second shooters to wedding albums in all Upstate NY locations”. Having a reliable second shooter helps capture simultaneous moments (like both of your faces during the first look, or cocktail hour candids while we’re off doing sunset portraits). It also adds a safety net – if one camera (or photographer!) were to have an issue, which has never happened before, there’s backup.

Rest assured, almost all established Upstate NY photographers either partner with peers or have an assistant photographer network. So when you’re booking, you can feel confident in asking for a second shooter, and many will happily provide one to ensure comprehensive coverage of your day.

Handling a large wedding party (i.e., lots of bridesmaids, groomsmen, big families, and many guests) takes experience and strong organizational skills. In Upstate NY’s popular wedding scene, many photographers have done big 200+ person weddings or huge bridal parties. You’ll want someone who isn’t intimidated by wrangling 20 people for a group photo or coordinating with a planner to keep things on schedule.

How do you find this out? Look for clues in reviews or ask directly: former clients might mention in testimonials “we had a huge wedding party and XYZ photographer handled it with ease.”

Photographers who frequently shoot large weddings often have a second shooter (as discussed above). They might also show large group photos in their portfolio or blog posts (if you see pictures of say 12-member bridal parties or giant reception crowd shots, that’s a good sign!)

From my perspective at Rebecca Loomis Photography, I’ve covered weddings with sizable wedding parties (10+ on each side) and guest lists in the hundreds. I actually enjoy the energy of a big celebration! The key is planning: I work closely on timelines (e.g. allotting enough time for all those group shots) and often bring a second shooter to help cover more ground.

When interviewing your photographer, mention your bridal party size and guest count – gauge their reaction and response. A seasoned pro will probably smile and maybe share a story of a similar wedding they did, and then outline how they’d manage it (if they immediately talk about bringing help or how they love big family photos, you’ve got someone who knows the drill).

In short, many Upstate NY photographers have experience with large weddings – the region’s popular venues (like Hall of Springs, Sagamore Resort, etc.) regularly host big weddings, and the photographers who work those venues have adapted accordingly. Just do your due diligence to ensure your pick has the confidence and resources for your wedding’s scale.

Candid (sometimes called documentary-style or photojournalistic) wedding photography has become hugely popular, and you’ll find that a lot of Upstate NY photographers market themselves that way. Essentially, these photographers prioritize capturing real, unscripted moments throughout the day rather than heavily posed shots. If that’s the style you love, you’re in luck – Upstate NY has many to choose from.

To find a specialist, look at portfolios: Do you see a lot of genuine emotion shots? People mid-laugh, or wiping tears, or kids dancing – moments that clearly weren’t staged? That’s a great sign. Also, read the “About” or philosophy on their site. Photographers who specialize in candids often explicitly say things like “capturing honest moments without intrusion”. For instance, my approach at Rebecca Loomis Photography’s is described as allowing for “candid, creative, and classic photographs without being intrusive or forceful”. That is exactly the philosophy behind candid coverage – being a “fly on the wall” to document the day organically.

When you talk to a potential photographer, you can ask: “Do you do more candid shots or posed? How do you like to capture the day?” You’ll gauge from their enthusiasm if they live for candids. Many will say they love candids the most (posed family formals are necessary, but the magic is often in the spontaneous moments).

Ultimately, nearly every Upstate NY wedding photographer will offer candids, but those who specialize in it will have portfolios and client feedback that reflect a story-telling approach. Choose someone whose sample galleries make you feel like you were there in the moment – that’s the candid touch.

This is a fantastic question to ask – it shows you’re thinking savvy and have probably heard some horror stories to boot. Any truly professional photographer will have backup equipment and contingency plans for emergencies. In Upstate NY, the reputable wedding photographers will all answer “Yes, absolutely” if you ask about backups. What does that entail? Typically, they should have multiple camera bodies, extra lenses, lots of spare batteries and memory cards, and even duplicate flashes.

Contingency plans also extend to non-gear issues: What if the photographer is ill or there’s an emergency on your wedding day? A solid pro will have a network of other photographers they can call on as backup, or an associate shooter who can step in. Many Upstate photographers form informal alliances – if one gets into a bind, another can cover.

When vetting photographers, ask: “Do you bring backup equipment? And what happens if, knock on wood, you can’t make it on the day or something goes wrong?” The answer should be very straightforward. Look for something like: “Yes, I shoot with two cameras that write on multiple cards. I also carry multiple lenses. And I’m part of a professional network – if I were incapacitated, I have trusted colleagues (with similar style) who could fill in. Plus, I always have insurance.” That kind of answer indicates a true professional.

To find such photographers, honestly, most established names fit the bill. It might not be advertised on their website (“I have backup gear!” isn’t exactly a selling headline), but you’ll often find hints in FAQs or blogs. Rebecca Loomis Photography always arrives with backup cameras and lenses, and I have a plan for emergencies (I’ve never missed a wedding, but I have a network of pros I could call if I broke my leg the day before – clients are never left high and dry!). The peace of mind that comes from this is huge.

In summary, virtually any experienced Upstate NY wedding photographer will have these safeguards – it’s part of being a pro. But do yourself a favor and double-check. The ones worth hiring will eagerly assure you of their backup plans, because they’re proud of being prepared. If anyone hesitates or gives a sketchy answer on this, that’s a red flag to keep looking.

In today’s digital age, online galleries are pretty much standard – and thank goodness, because they make life so much easier for you and your guests! Almost all modern wedding photographers will deliver your photos through an online gallery platform. This means you’ll get a private link where all your edited photos are uploaded in high resolution, and you can easily download them or share the gallery with friends and family. For Upstate NY photographers, I’d say 99% use these; some popular platforms are Pixieset, ShootProof, Pic-Time or Pass Gallery.

When booking, you can confirm by asking: “How will the photos be delivered?” Expected answer: via an online gallery, within X weeks after the wedding, often with the ability to order prints directly from the gallery if you want. At Rebecca Loomis Photography, for instance, I deliver all final images through a beautiful online gallery system. You can mark favorites, share the link with Aunt Susie in California, and even hide certain photos if you want before sharing the gallery publicly.

It’s convenient and ensures everyone you care about can see the photos without you having to send giant email attachments. So yes – easy photo sharing through an online gallery is a given with Upstate NY photographers (just one more thing that has improved in the wedding photography world!).

Not every couple is doing the full-day, 200-guest affair. Upstate NY also sees plenty of intimate weddings, elopements, and “micro-weddings“, which is 50 guests or less. Many photographers recognize this and offer flexible packages for smaller events – often these are shorter coverage options or custom hourly rates. For example, some might have a 2-hour or 4-hour package specifically labeled for elopements or courthouse weddings.

To find who’s flexible, search for terms like “Upstate NY elopement photographer” – you’ll see many dedicated listings. Also, on photographers’ websites, look under pricing: if you see wording like “Intimate wedding coverage available” or “Custom packages for elopements”, that’s your cue. A lot of Upstate photographers are happy to do weekday courthouse weddings or hiking elopements with just 5 guests; they often love the personal feel of those and the creative opportunities. They might not always advertise small packages prominently (since the bigger weddings are their main business), but if you inquire, many will create a custom quote.

From my end at Rebecca Loomis Photography, I definitely offer flexible booking for smaller weddings. For instance, I’ve done a 3-hour coverage for a sweet backyard wedding with 20 people, and I’ve shot a two-person elopement in the Adirondacks with just a simple hourly rate + travel. When couples reach out for small events, I discuss what they need and often tailor something. The key is to ask – photographers who might not list a 2-hour package on their site could still be open to it, especially in off-peak season or on a weekday.

One tip: if you’re planning a short-notice elopement or a mini-ceremony on a less popular date, you have a good chance of snagging a top photographer for just a few hours, because it’s bonus business for them. Check out local elopement specialists as well; Upstate NY has a growing community of photographers who primarily shoot elopements (often with knowledge of scenic spots, hiking trails, waterfalls, etc., for those epic photos).

In summary, flexibility is out there – many Upstate NY photographers will accommodate small weddings with shorter, budget-friendly packages. Just be upfront about what you’re looking for, and you’ll likely find someone excited to capture it, no matter the size of the celebration.