How Couples Actually Find Wedding Photographers in 2026 (It’s Not Instagram)

This might sound uncomfortable… but most advice about booking a wedding photographer is outdated.

People still think couples scroll Instagram, save a few pretty photos, and magically decide. That used to be true. It’s not anymore. At least not from what I’ve seen.

In reality, couples Google things like:

• best wedding photographer in Washington, DC

• documentary vs traditional wedding photography

• How to choose a photographer without awkward posing

They read. They compare. They want context (and maybe I’m wrong, but trust matters more than vibes now).

I’ve been photographing weddings for years, and recently I started tracking how inquiries actually happen. Almost every serious client arrives after reading something long-form - guides, comparisons, explanations. Not ads. Not reels.

That’s why I rebuilt my approach around educational pages instead of just galleries. One example is this guide on choosing a documentary-style wedding photographer, which explains how to evaluate style, coverage, and experience without marketing fluff:

https://www.mantasphoto.com

What’s interesting is how platforms with inherited trust surface these conversations faster than personal blogs. Digg feels like it’s becoming that middle layer again - discussion first, brand second.

If you’re planning a wedding or even researching photographers for later, read how people think about the decision, not just who looks popular this month.

Curious how others here found their photographer… was it Google, referrals, or something else entirely?