What to ask when choosing your wedding photographer and the questions you need to be asking:
Photography is super important to most couples, and after interviewing many photographers, here’s the list of questions I would use in finding your wedding photographer. In the end though, go with your gut on who you would enjoy working with on the day.
- What’s it like to work with them on the wedding day?
- What’s your approach? How do you approach posing a couple?
- How do you prepare for a shoot, especially at a new location?
- Can you see some full galleries?
- How are images normally selected and processed for delivery? And approximately how many images do you select/edit.
- Who owns the rights to their photos and what your rights are? In other words do you need permission to post the photos on social media, can you share them with guests, printing rights etc.
- How do you collaborate with other vendors? – many of my vendors requested that they be sent images.
- What is the typical delivery timeline, has that changed recently?
- What happens if there is an emergency and either the wedding is cancelled or the photographer for whatever reason can’t make the wedding?
- What happens if you need to cancel the contract with them, and do you lose your deposit?
- What equipment they bring to a shoot. Do they shoot film (if you’re interested)- I was mainly interested in what their favorite lenses to shoot on are as I was interested in getting a good variety of focal lengths.
If you’re currently on the hunt for your own wedding photographer, I hope this list helps you navigate the process and find the perfect person to capture your magic!
1. What’s it like to work with them on the wedding day?
This question was paramount. Your photographer will be by your side for a significant portion of your wedding day. Are they calm and collected? Do they have a positive energy? Will they blend seamlessly into the background or be more directive? I wanted someone who would be a joy to have around, not an added source of stress.
2. What’s your approach? How do you approach posing a couple?
Every photographer has their own style. Some are very hands-on with posing, while others prefer a more documentary, candid approach. I wanted to understand their philosophy. Would I be spending hours in stiff, unnatural poses, or would they guide us gently to capture authentic moments? Understanding their posing style is key to ensuring your photos reflect your personalities.
3. How do you prepare for a shoot, especially at a new location?
This showed their level of professionalism and attention to detail. Do they scout locations beforehand? Do they research the venue online? How do they handle potential lighting challenges? Knowing their preparation process gave me confidence that they could handle anything the day threw our way, even at a venue they hadn’t shot at before.
4. Can you see some full galleries?
While highlight reels are beautiful, full galleries give you a much better sense of their consistency throughout an entire wedding day. Are the reception photos as stunning as the portraits? How do they handle different lighting situations throughout the day? This was crucial for seeing the complete picture (pun intended!).
5. How are images normally selected and processed for delivery? And approximately how many images do you select/edit?
Understanding their editing style and the typical number of images delivered helps set expectations. Do they favor a light and airy aesthetic or something more moody? How much retouching do they typically do? Knowing the approximate number of images gives you an idea of the value and comprehensiveness of their coverage.
6. Who owns the rights to their photos and what your rights are? In other words do you need permission to post the photos on social media, can you share them with guests, printing rights etc.
This is a crucial legal question. Understanding the copyright and your usage rights is essential to avoid any misunderstandings down the line. Can you freely share the photos with family and friends online? Do you have the right to print them wherever you choose?
7. How do you collaborate with other vendors? – many of my vendors requested that they be sent images.
Weddings are a team effort. I wanted a photographer who was collaborative and easy to work with other vendors like the florist, planner, and venue coordinator. Knowing their process for sharing images with other vendors was important, as many of mine requested photos for their portfolios.
8. What is the typical delivery timeline, has that changed recently?
Wedding photos take time to edit, but knowing the typical timeframe helps manage expectations. It’s also worth asking if their delivery timeline has been affected by any recent events or increased workload.
9. What happens if there is an emergency and either the wedding is cancelled or the photographer for whatever reason can’t make the wedding?
These are the uncomfortable but necessary questions. What are their policies regarding cancellations or postponements? Do they have a backup plan in case of unforeseen circumstances preventing them from shooting your wedding?
10. What happens if you need to cancel the contract with them, and do you lose your deposit?
Life happens. Understanding the terms of cancellation on both sides is important to protect your investment.
Bonus Question (for the gear geeks!): What equipment they bring to a shoot. – I was mainly interested in what their favorite lenses to shoot on are as I was interested in getting a good variety of focal lengths.
Okay, this one was a bit nerdy on my part! But as photography was so important to me, I was genuinely curious about their gear. Knowing their favorite lenses gave me insight into the types of shots they typically capture and their artistic preferences.
Trust Your Gut
While all these questions provided invaluable information and helped me narrow down my options, in the end, my decision came down to something more intuitive. I chose the photographer who I felt a genuine connection with, someone whose personality meshed well with mine, and who I could envision feeling comfortable and relaxed around on my wedding day.
The technical skills and stunning portfolios are essential, but don’t underestimate the importance of finding a photographer whose presence will enhance, not detract from, your wedding experience. Trust your gut – you’ll be spending a very special day with this person!
Check out some of my wedding galleries here
