10 Essential Questions to Ask When Searching for a Wedding Photographer
Choosing the right photographer for your wedding is a big decision that can greatly influence the way you remember and cherish your special day. To ensure that you find the perfect photographer who can capture the essence of your wedding and create timeless memories, it's important to ask the right questions during your search. Whether it’s in an email thread with your potential photographers, or questions you ask during your consultation calls, here are 10 essential questions you should ask to help you pick the perfect photographer for your wedding day!
What is Your Photography Style? You should be able to get a good understanding of a photographer’s style by looking at their website and any Instagram or social media they have. BUT it’s always great to hear them explain it! Especially how they shoot and how they edit. Documentary style is typically very minimal posing so they’ll be more of a “fly on the wall” at your wedding. Editorial will have a lot of posing with making sure people are placed in spots with cool lighting. They may edit true-to-color, or very stylized. Some may include photoshop editing, and some may not, so it’s important to ask and get the whole scoop!
Can I See a Full Wedding Album? Requesting to see a complete wedding album will give you a comprehensive view of their work. Are the photos beautiful and consistent throughout the day? How do they handle super dark receptions or harsh outdoor lighting during a mid-day ceremony? Anyone can take good photos during sunset or overcast days, but knowing how to capture a FULL DAY and make it all look good is a very important skill your wedding photographer should have.
What Packages Do You Offer? A lot of photographers may send you a pricing/info guide after your initial inquiry. But I STILL recommend you ask this question during your consult call so you can explore all your options & add-ons to potentially create a custom package! This can include the number of hours of coverage, prints, digital files, and any additional services. Make sure it fits within your budget and fulfills your specific needs.
Do You Have Experience Shooting in Similar Venues? Familiarity with your wedding venue can be advantageous. If the photographer has worked there before, they may already know the best spots for photos, lighting conditions, and potential challenges. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick a photographer just because they haven’t been to a venue before. Any skilled photographer should be able to assess the best photo spots day-of. And, you may get some really artistic and unique shots vs. a photographer who has shot that venue 10+ times may just have a routine and you’re photos may turn out very cookie-cutter feeling.
How Do You Handle Unexpected Situations or Issues? Weddings are live events, and unforeseen circumstances can arise. It may begin to rain during your ceremony, or you have to shift your timeline day-of for “such & such” reason, or your mother-in-law wants to add a ton of photos to your family photo shot list. Ask about the photographer's experience in handling unexpected challenges and their backup plans. Having a wedding planner or day-of coordinator will help IMMENSELY with wedding day situations, as there’s only so much your photographer can do.
What is Your Turnaround Time for Delivering Photos? Knowing when you can expect to receive your wedding photos is crucial. Discuss the photographer's turnaround time and ensure it aligns with your expectations, especially if you have a specific timeline for sharing or printing your images. Most photographers will have a timeline for sneak peek photos and then the final gallery. This timeline should be included in your contract so they are also held accountable for making sure you get your images back at the agreed-upon deadline.
Do You Work with a Second Shooter or Assistant? Most of the time, second shooters will be included in a package or offered as an add-on. Having a second shooter can provide additional perspectives and ensure that no crucial moments are missed. They’re specifically helpful if you want both getting ready photos of the bridesmaids & groomsmen at the same time. Talk with your photographer about how they pick a second shooter (if you get input or not) and how they would fit into your wedding day best.
Can We Provide a Shot List? If there are specific shots or moments you want captured, discuss this with the photographer. Typically, photographers will ask for a full family shot list complete with names & titles so the family portrait session (typically after the ceremony) goes super smoothly and no one is forgotten in the photos. If there are any other super specific shots you want (like rings in your bouquet, dancing with the flower girl…etc.), chat with your photographer about how/if you can make those happen. Make sure you plan those into your timeline so the photographer doesn’t miss them.
What is Your Cancellation and Refund Policy? Understand the terms of cancellation and refunds in-case unforeseen circumstances force you to change your plans. It’s standard in most policies that your deposit/retainer fee is non-refundable, and potentially any other monies paid up to the point of cancellation. It’s not a fun question to ask, but it’s important just in-case someone gets sick or a major life event happens.
What is your backup process? You only get one chance to have your wedding documented, so it’s important to know how your photographer handles saving & backing-up all of your memories. I HIGHLY recommend hiring a photographer who has cameras that record photos to 2 SD cards at the same time so automatically your photos are saved in 2 places at once as soon as the shutter snaps. After the wedding day, how and where do they back-up the photos and what happens to them after your final gallery is delivered? Your wedding day memories are precious and should be treated as such!
Choosing the right wedding photographer is one of the most important vendor decisions you could make for your wedding day. They are the ones who are with you the entire day experiencing and capturing every moment you live. You want someone who not only is professional, but who you get along with and WANT to have at your wedding. You don’t have to be besties, but you should feel comfortable with them and share a collective understanding of what you want your wedding day to feel & look like.
By asking the questions I listed above, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision and hire a photographer who not only possesses the technical skills but also understands and aligns with your vision for your wedding day. Happy wedding planning!
