Searching for the best Boston wedding photographer for your wedding is such an important part of the planning process. Your photos will be one of the only tangible items you’ll be left with after your wedding day is over. For that reason, it’s so crucial to find a photographer who aligns, yes with your style, but also your personalities, wedding-day priorities and vision!
Transparency and building connection with my couples are two of my top priorities as a documentary-style wedding photographer, because feeling comfortable with your photographer is key to receiving emotional wedding photos that feel like you and are reflective of your unique day. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions as a Boston wedding photographer, to give you insight into my photography style, what to expect from the experience of working with me, and next steps if you feel aligned!
1. What is your approach to photographing weddings?
My #1 goal for my couples on their wedding day is for them to have a really good time. So what does that look like? It means building connection from the very first moment we chat about your wedding, so that by your wedding day I’ll feel like a friend who just happens to be taking killer photos of you. It means a heavy focus on candids, so that you can be fully immersed in all of the emotions of your wedding day while receiving lived-in photos that’ll bring you right back to the moment long after the day is over. And it also means stepping in and giving direction when the moment calls for it. I totally resonate with the feeling of “what do I do with my hands??” when in front of the camera, so leave all that to me 🙂
This balance of documentary storytelling and creative direction results in photos that are uniquely yours, and an experience that prioritizes your enjoyment and well-being on your wedding day. Because you only do this once, and you deserve to have the absolute best experience possible.
2. What is your gallery turn-around time?
Your full wedding or elopement gallery will be delivered within 8-10 weeks. Sneak peaks will be sent within 1 week of your event. For engagements & all other session types, my turnaround time is 3-5 weeks. If you’re looking to receive your photos in an earlier timeframe, I offer a rush delivery add on for any session type!
3. How many photos will we receive?
After your wedding, I’ll sift through ALL of the photos and hand-select the best of the best to curate an elevated gallery that tells the story of your unique day. Expect at least 50-75 photos/hour of coverage edited in both color and black and white.
4. Do you travel?
I’m always down to travel wherever you are if we’re a great fit. 🙂 Because I’m a Boston-based wedding photographer, documenting weddings all around New England & New York is my specialty, and so there are no additional travels for most areas in New England. For any further location, we can chat about travel on our initial call!
5. Are our photos protected?
Hell ya! When it comes to your photos, they’re in good hands. I shoot on two SD cards at all times, ensuring your photos are safe and secure day of. After your wedding day, your photos are backed up onto two external hard drives, and the photos are kept on the SD cards until your final gallery is delivered to you. That’s 4 backups to ensure your photos are never lost or corrupted. These are your memories after all!!
6. Film vs. digital wedding photography — Do we need film?
The answer to put it simply is — it depends!
I find that most couples who come to me and are interested in film wedding photography are really drawn to the vibrant colors, nostalgic feel, and the unique shots that film photography can evoke, which is why I create that feeling through my editing & shooting style. It comes to most of their surprise that I’m not offering film wedding photography at the moment, and shoot on digital.
Ask yourself “Why do we want film?” If it’s because of the colors and feeling, a digital photographer with film-inspired edits could be a perfect fit for your vision. But, if you’re drawn to the actual craft of film photography, a film wedding photographer could be the best route for you.
For those who’d love to add a film element to their package, I offer polaroids which I’ll scan and deliver both the digital & hard copies after your wedding day.
7. Do we need a second photographer?
A second photographer is included in my all-inclusive package, and can be added on to my other packages. Here are some things to consider with adding a second photographer:
1. If you’ll be getting ready in multiple locations, or there’s a lot of travel involved in your day, a second photographer can help be in places that I won’t be.
2. If you have a large family, a second photographer will help run through your family photo list in a timely manner so you can get on to enjoying your wedding.
3. A second photographer’s main priorities are capturing unique perspectives and great candids of guests. If this is a priority for you, a second could be a perfect addition to your package!
Interested in whether or not a second shooter is for you? Check out this blog!
8. What is your photography style + what can I expect my photos to look like?
My style is super unique in a sense where it doesn’t fall into one particular category.I’ll never define my style as one particular thing, because each couple is unique and deserving of photos and an experience equally so. What DOES remain consistent across my style is my undivided focus on emotion and connection, my film-inspired editing, and my belief that every couple deserves emotion-packed photos of their wedding, because it’s an emotion-packed day.
To get a feel for what your wedding photos could look like if we worked together, click here to check out my portfolio.
9. How much does a Boston wedding photographer cost?
I take a limited amount of weddings each season so I’m able to pour my undivided creativity and passion into each couple I work with. A typical investment for full-day coverage, sneak peaks, an engagement session, a curated wedding gallery jam-packed with the best of the best photos from your day, and a 20+ page wedding guide packed with tons of wedding planning tips is around $8,000. Beyond the physical deliverables that come with investing in an expert wedding photographer like myself, working together also means you’ll have access to my preferred vendor list, outfit guides, timeline assistance, and more.
Interested in chatting more about wedding photography your New England wedding? Click here to get in touch!
10. Do you hold dates?
A phone call, contract, and retainer are required to secure your date! If you’re interested in working together (even if you don’t have a finalized date yet), reach out so we can schedule a call to chat all things photography! I’m currently booking 2025 engagements, elopements & sessions, and 2026 weddings.
11. How do we book?!!
I’m so happy you asked! Get in touch by clicking here. Once I receive your inquiry, I’ll send you my packages, full galleries, and we’ll schedule a call to talk through your day and next steps to locking in your date!
Boston Documentary Style Wedding Photographer | Maddy Bethune Photo
Hey! I’m Maddy, a documentary wedding photographer traveling all around New England and New York to document intentional wedding days. I’m inspired by film photography, vibrant color palettes, and couples who want to throw epic celebrations to party with their people. I’m here to tell YOUR story just as you remember it (no fake smiles and laughs here), and to transform your most precious moments into tangible art that’ll hang on your walls for years to come. Are you looking for a Boston wedding photographer that’ll capture all of the emotion of your one-of-a-kind day? Get in touch with me here!
