Things to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

However, choosing the ideal one isn’t always that easy. Often, couples make the mistake of booking the first one recommended by a friend or the most popular photographer listed in a blog without taking time to determine whether they are the right fit for their wedding. They then end up with wedding photos that lack depth and emotion.

Avoid this by getting to know your photographers better before signing a contract. Schedule an appointment to get a feel of their style and to check whether they understand your vision for your wedding. Choose a photographer you click with on a personal level so you can be at ease at your wedding and have photos that look more natural and authentic.

Here’s a list of questions you can ask wedding photographers before choosing the best one for your wedding.

These are the initial questions you should ask. The answers to these questions would determine whether you should proceed with the rest of your questions or go to the next potential wedding photographer on your list.

• Are you available on my wedding date?
• How far in advance should I book with you?
• Would you be shooting our wedding yourself?
• What’s the range of your package rates?

Countless unplanned things can happen during weddings. It’s good to have an experienced photographer who knows exactly how to get shots under pressure or react quickly to unexpected moments. Gauge their experience by the number of weddings they have covered and not just by the number of years they have been in business. Check also how well they work with other wedding vendors to see how professional they are.

• How long have you been in the wedding photography business?
• How many weddings have you shot?
• Do you have a full wedding gallery we can see?
• Have you shot weddings that have the same or similar style and size as ours?
• How well do you work with our other wedding vendors (wedding planner, caterer, videographer, florist, DJ)?
• Have you ever worked at venues similar to mine before?

These might be the most important questions to ask your wedding photographer. You must ensure that their photography style suits your own style and is in sync with your wedding theme.

• What is your style of photography? Would you describe it as traditional, artsy, photojournalistic, or something else?
• How would you describe your working style? Do you prefer blending into the background or taking charge of posed shots?
• Do you specialize in indoor or outdoor events?
• How would you describe a perfect wedding?
• What’s your medium? Do you shoot digitally or with film?
• Which do you prefer, candid moments or choreographed images?
• Can I request specific shots we would like to have?

This section has the longest list of questions. Ask them to make sure that everything goes smoothly on your big day. Check whether the wedding photographer has the resources to book multiple weddings on the same weekend, all the proper equipment to cover your event, and a backup plan in case of emergencies. A photographer who has limited resources but is overbooked may not be able to provide the quality of service you deserve.

• Have you ever shot a wedding at our ceremony and reception venues?
• Would you be able to check our wedding venue in advance?
• How many other weddings do you have lined up for the weekend of our wedding day?
• Are you photographing other events on the same day as mine?
• What time will you arrive at the site?
• Would you have a second shooter and assistants on the wedding day? How many will be in your crew?
• Do you have uniforms or specific work attire? How will you and your team be dressed during the wedding?
• What equipment will you be using? Will you carry backup equipment?
• What is your backup plan in case of a wedding day emergency? Can your second photographer handle your team if you have an emergency?
• Is it okay if other people take photos while you’re taking photos? Or would you like us to request our guests to avoid taking photos during the wedding ceremony?

Ask about all the wedding photography packages available and their corresponding rates. Know what is included and what is not to determine if the total cost is worth it. This will also enable you to compare prices among the potential photographers you are considering.

• What is included in your standard wedding package?
• What additional inclusions are in the other packages?
• Is it possible to customize a package with add-ons to fit our wedding requirements?
• Which packages include engagement photos and pre-wedding events such as rehearsal dinners?
• How many hours are included in each package? What’s the charge for extra hours?
• Do you offer photo booth services too?
• Do you offer videography services? If not, are there videographers you have worked well with on previous weddings?
• Are your package rates inclusive of transportation fees? Do you charge lodging and travel fees for destination weddings?

Some photographers retain rights to the images they take. Some also do not provide all the raw images. Know which ones are included in your package and what you can expect to receive by asking the following questions.

• Would unedited negatives and high-resolution digital images be given to us?
• Do you provide retouching, color adjustment, and other corrective services?
• How many final images will we receive?
• How much is the fee for a copy of all the hi-res digital images?
• Would all the images be accessible online? If yes, for how long can we access them and can we share access with guests?
• Can you put together slideshows of images from pre-wedding events and the wedding ceremony to be shown during the wedding reception? Is there an additional charge for this?

Not all photographers include prints and albums in their packages. Know whether you need to make other arrangements for these in advance so you won’t have to wait for ages after the wedding to get your prints.

• Are albums and prints included in your packages?
• What types of albums are available?
• How many pages or prints are included?
• Can we select images and request specific designs for our album?
• How long will we have to wait for our prints and albums? Can we get sneak peeks?
• Would they be delivered to us or are we required to pick them up from your office?
• How much do you charge for additional prints?

You may already love the photographer you’re talking with but if their rates are way beyond your budget, the second best one wouldn’t be a bad choice. Make sure you know all the fees they charge especially for overtime hours and other incidentals to avoid nasty surprises on your wedding day.

• How much deposit do you require? When is it due?
• Is the deposit refundable?
• What is your cancellation policy? Do you give full refunds?
• Do you have installment plans? What payment schedule do you offer?
• What payment methods do you accept?
• What additional fees and surcharges should we expect to pay?

Require a written contract. Professional photographers will provide one even if not asked. A contract provides protection for both you and your wedding photographer.

• Can you give us a quote and a sample contract to view?
• Can we build the contract with you? Can we stipulate some terms of our own?
• When will we receive the contract?
• Do you have liability insurance? What does it cover?
• What other insurance coverage do you have?

Just a few more questions to ask before you make that final decision

• Could you give me a list of references or links to your client reviews and social media accounts?
• What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?
• Have you ever had unsatisfied clients? Why were they unhappy and what did you do to appease them?
• What information do you need from me before the wedding day?

After interviewing your potential photographers and getting their answers to the questions above. Ask yourself the following questions before making your final decision.

• Do you feel a connection with the photos in their portfolio?
• Do your personalities jibe? Are you comfortable with each other?
• Are you satisfied with all their answers? Do they address all of your concerns?
• Are they in sync with your vision for your wedding day?
• Did they listen to your ideas and are willing to collaborate on your wedding planning?

If you’ve answered yes to all these questions, then you’ve found the ideal wedding photographer for your big day.