First off, congratulations on your engagement and for starting the exciting journey of planning your wedding! The fact that you’ve landed on this wedding blog says you’re ahead in the planning phase. Most couples don’t take the time to go through and properly research/vet their wedding photographer before hiring them.
Choosing the right wedding photographer is one of the single most important decision you’ll make for your wedding. We’re not there only to take photos. We’re your go to resource for planning your wedding day(s), as we help build your wedding timeline, help you find wedding photography locations and tell you where to anticipate delays throughout the day.
I’ve made a list of important questions to ask a wedding photographer before you book them. This will help you find a suitable wedding photographer for your wedding. These tips will help you feel confident in finding your perfect wedding photographer so that they align with your vision.
What’s your wedding photography style?
One of the first steps you’ll take before reaching out to any photographer is determining which wedding photography style resonates the most with you. This decision will influence the entire mood and aesthetic of your wedding photos. Whether you’re drawn into a more editorial type of image with neutral and timeless tones, or a more dark and moody style, you’ll have to explore different portfolios to envision how you want your wedding photos to look like.
Your wedding photos should reflect not only how your day looked, but how it felt. Be cautious of photographers who tell you they can adapt to ‘any style’. Mastering and specializing in a specific style will deliver you more consistent results in your wedding photo album.
How do you approach capturing emotions during a wedding day?
Some photographers focus on creating a relaxed environment to capture genuine moments, whereas other photographers focus exclusively on perfectly posed photos that are Pinterest ready that are not as personal.
One of the biggest factors when it comes to creating genuine emotions is how well you click with your photographer. If you vibe with them, you’ll feel way more comfortable in front of the camera. Comfort shows up in photos – it’s easy to spot. The same goes for your bridal party and your guests. A good connection helps everyone loosen up, enjoy the moment and have fun. This is why I always recommend scheduling an engagement shoot before your wedding because it gives you enough time to build rapport with your wedding photographer. Not only that, but the experience teaches you how to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day.
Remember, just because you’re having professional photos taken doesn’t mean you can’t be loose and have fun. The right photographer will bring this out of you!
Can We See a Full Wedding Gallery?
If there’s one big takeaway from this blog, it’s this: don’t book your wedding photographer based on their Instagram feed.
Instagram is a portfolio highlight reel. It shows you the best and most polished shots from a wedding day. The sad reality is that a lot of photographers focus more on creating picture perfect social media content that they can sell, rather than documenting and delivering what their couples hired them for. Instagram is now also littered with wedding styled shoots that look incredible. These photos are almost too good to be true… That’s because they are. Styled shoots don’t reflect the reality of a wedding day, and it’s flat out false advertising. Whereas on a styled shoot you have days to plan the shoot and hours to take portrait photos. The reality is that there there are often times where you have five to ten minutes to take an entire gallery of great photos. You’re managing time, pressure and the unpredictability of a wedding day.
What you really want to see is a full wedding album. Start to finish – not just picture-perfect moments.
Give me a breakdown of how you approach a wedding day.
This is one of the best questions you can ask a wedding photographer. Since this is likely your first time planning a wedding, so there’s a lot that you don’t know. Ask your prospective photographer this will give you an idea of their workflow. For example, the order of which they shoot bride and groom prep photos. More than anything, it’ll be a great way to educate yourself on the wedding photography process.
What wedding photography packages do you offer?
Every wedding is different, and photographers offer different packages based on hours, number of photographers and the services you want. Understanding the options that your wedding photographer provides you with will help you decide if they’re the best for for your wedding. Don’t be afraid to discuss any customizable options with their packages to suit your budget or needs. You can find our pricing here. Feel free to contact us for more information!
Can I customize a wedding package to fit my needs?
While some photographers are firm on their wedding photography packages, a lot of us are happy to work on a custom package that is suitable to your needs.
Do you include engagement photos in your packages? What about rehearsal dinners and pre-wedding events?
If your photographer includes their pricing on their website, the chances are that this information is included in a breakdown on their website. I’m a big proponent in including engagement sessions in all of my wedding photography packages. It’s the single best way to make sure you’re comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day.
What’s included in your wedding photography pricing?
It’s important to know what’s included in the pricing so you can avoid any surprises. Ask about albums, prints, digital files, and any potential additional costs that might arise. Inquire about any hidden fees such as travel expenses or overtime charges, which can impact your budget. Discuss payment schedules and cancellation policies so that you’re on the same page.
How much of a deposit do you need? What’s the payment structure?
In order to secure your photographer, you’ll have to pay a deposit for them to reserve your wedding day. Take this opportunity to ask about the breakdown and instalments of their wedding photography pricing.
How do you handle travel and accommodation?
Depending on where your wedding is located, we may charge a travel fee. Understanding this ahead of time will save you a lot of headaches since it may affect your budget. While some photographers charge based on distance, others include it in their pricing. Make sure to ask if there are any hidden fees, overtime charges etc. This way you won’t be hit with a surprise.
Will you be the one photographing my wedding?
The biggest benefit of working with a boutique wedding photographer is that you know exactly who will show up to photograph your wedding day. When you’re booking us, you’re booking us – the person whose work you’ve seen, the style you love, and the person you’ve built a relationship with while planning your entire wedding day. We’re not sending out surprise associate photographers because the one we promised you suddenly isn’t available once we receive your deposit, and some of us definitely aren’t double-booking your wedding day.
Wedding photography studios operate entirely differently. They’ll showcase their best work from their top 1-2 photographers and send someone entirely different to photograph your wedding after promising that you’ll receive a specific photographer. How do I know this? Before I branched out on my own, all of the studios I worked for promised their couples that I would photograph their wedding without my knowledge, only to send you someone with less experience. This bait-and-switch happens more than you’d think, and more than I’d like to know.
This is why you need to confirm who’s photographing your wedding. You should be speaking directly to that person, and no one else. See their work, not the studios work. No two people photograph the same, and you should know who you’re working with.
At the end of the day, peace of mind is everything. Working with a boutique photographer means you’re getting exactly what you signed up for – someone who’s invested in you and wants to give you the best possible experience. It’s impossible to do this when you’re booking 50+ weddings a year. Who wants anything less on their wedding day?
Do you have a dress code?
This is a question that is rarely asked and one that should be a standard question.
Think about it.
You paid good money for your wedding cake, your décor and your venue. Don’t you expect your photographer to look the part? I’ve seen plenty of photographers that work for studios show up wearing sweat pants, and in one instance wearing a white sleeveless shirt (I’m dead serious). Can you think of anything that would ruin the vibe of your wedding more than this? Make sure your photographer looks the part.
If you have a specific dress code you’d like for your photographer to accommodate, tell them. I’ve had couples let me know they’re planning a black-tie wedding and would like me to dress accordingly to match the formality of the event. Naturally, I’m always dressed to represent you in the most professional way on your wedding day.
Have you ever worked with wedding planners and/or wedding videographers?
The chances are that the photographer you’re looking at has worked with planners and videographers. However, you’ll want to ask them how they work with different vendors because you want to make sure everyone works well with one another. Unfortunately, a lot of photographers operate in a selfish way where they take control of the entire day and don’t give videographers enough time to get their own beautiful shots.
We all have one common goal. This goal is making sure you have the best wedding possible with incredible photo and videos.
Have you ever shot a wedding at our venue?
Being familiar with your venue shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. It’s perfectly fine if your prospective photographer hasn’t photographed a wedding at your venue. We’ll typically arrive early and/or do our due diligence beforehand. Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer to join you during your tour! I personally find it gets your creative juices flowing because there are so many more options the first time around.
Can we request a list of specific shots we would like?
Like many couples, you’ve seen Pinterest wedding photos and you envision your day to look a certain way. You’re hiring a wedding photographer for a reason, so expect them to accommodate almost everything you ask for. If you have a Pinterest wedding board or saved wedding photos on Instagram, share it with us!
How Soon Will We Receive Our Photos? How Are They Delivered?
Every photographer has their own timeline for receiving their photos. Asking this will help manage your expectations. The average timeline is 2-6 months. I deliver my full wedding galleries in under five weeks, and you also receive a small teaser gallery two days after your wedding day.
The industry standard way of receiving your wedding photos is an online gallery. This allows you to download and share your wedding photos with friends and family. Be sure to ask if they have any other methods such as physical wedding albums!
What happens if you can’t make it to our wedding?
While this is rare, emergencies can happen. You need to make sure your photographer has a solid backup plan to ensure you’re not left without a photographer on your wedding day. Discuss their arrangements and what they do in a worst case scenario.
How do you handle unforeseen weather conditions?
Let’s face it. Weather can be unpredictable. Understanding how your photographer can pivot and adjust during these type of conditions is important.
Choosing the right wedding photographer is a lot more than falling in love with their photos. It’s about trust, connection and the peace of mind knowing that you’ll have a professional photographing your wedding. We’re part of some of the most intimate and emotional moments of your wedding day, so it’s important to make sure you’re a great fit.
I recommend writing down these questions and asking wedding photographers these questions in detail. Take your time, do your homework and don’t be afraid to challenge and ask follow-up questions.
Ready to find out if we’re a right fit? I’d love to hear from you. Let’s chat about your wedding day, your vision and how I’ll bring it all to life. Click here to reach out!
