What Questions Should I Ask My Wedding Photographer?

Your wedding photographer is one of the most important aspects of your wedding day. Primarily because, let’s be honest, once the day has passed and you settle into married life, the only things you’ll have left to remember your special day are your partner (of course!), the ring on your finger, and your wedding photo gallery. But how do you choose a wedding photographer? You might have already noticed that there are many options out there! So, if you’ve started researching, you’re probably wondering, ‘What questions should I ask my wedding photographer’? We’ve come up with a list of questions that will help you understand your prospective wedding photographer’s services a little better, open up the conversation to your wants and needs and hopefully instil some confidence that you’ve found the right person to document and capture your day in a beautiful, authentic way.

In a nutshell, your wedding photographer’s job is to tell your story through beautiful images that capture not only the details but also the atmosphere and, most importantly, the connection you have with one another and your loved ones. Everyone says their day goes by in a flash; therefore, your wedding photographer is tasked with documenting your day and cementing your memories with the utmost sensitivity and style.

Your heirloom photo gallery will be one you will want to reflect on for years to come and possibly pass down to generations, too, so you need to make sure you choose the right person. It’s at this point that we would say, please don’t book the cheapest option available simply because it’s a bargain. It’s probably a bargain for a reason! Book the best wedding photographer you can afford; you won’t regret it.

Do your research!

First, if time's on your side, do your research when narrowing down your search for the right photographer. Most wedding photographers will have a website and a range of social platforms showcasing their work, which is where you can have a good look through their portfolios to see what sort of style they use to shoot weddings. Many photographers will also have testimonials from other couples on their website, which is a great way to get a feel for what previous newlyweds thought of their services and helps give credibility to what they offer.

There's no better way to find a wedding photographer than through recommendations; a friend or relative may be able to suggest someone they have worked with and loved. Alternatively, your wedding venue might be able to recommend a reputable photographer they've previously collaborated with, providing you with the assurance of their proven track record, familiarity with your venue and wedding planner, and, crucially, their knowledge of the best backdrops dotted around the venue!

Try not to get swept away by a shiny Instagram profile; it's all too easy for someone to curate a professional-looking grid, so carve out time to research potential photographers before you commit. Many wedding photographers, viable ones at that, will be easily contactable, willing, and able to answer all of your burning questions!

How to choose your wedding photographer

But how do you know who’s right for you? Well, first, you need to check out your potential wedding photographer's style. There are so many styles out there, and only you know what you really love. From ethereal fine art to bright street style to fashion editorial, and everything else in between!

You also need to make sure you click with the person. Aside from your partner, they are the person you will be spending most of your time with on the wedding day, so you need to make sure you get on! Once you’ve narrowed down a selection, we would always recommend talking to them, either via Zoom or, even better, meeting up in person. Expert wedding photographers should make you feel at ease in their company, and you should hopefully have a similar wedding photography vibe/aesthetic in mind. If you get on well and feel confident in their services, you might be ready to book them and pay the deposit. But before you do, ask your prospective wedding photographers these quick questions. From the obvious to the niche, we’ve covered them all…

Questions to ask your wedding photographer

1. Tell me about yourself…
2. How would you describe your photography style?
3. Are you available on my wedding date?
4. Will you be shooting my wedding, or do you have an associate and/or a second shooter?
5. Are you shooting any other weddings around the same time as mine?
6. How many weddings do you shoot a year?
7. Can I please see some full-coverage wedding galleries?
8. What’s included in your wedding packages?
9. Have you shot at our venue/worked with any of our suppliers before?
10. What time will you arrive on the day, and what time will you depart?
11. Can I customise the package? Do you have any extras I might be interested in?
12. Do you offer engagement photos or a pre-wedding shoot within the package?
13. What do you need from us before the wedding?
14. Do you document the night before and/or the morning after?
15. What do you usually wear on a wedding day?
16. Do we need to provide you and your team with food and refreshments?
17. If needed, would you offer a retouching/editing service?
18. Is travel and accommodation included in your fee?
19. Do you shoot on film, too or just digital?
20. Are we able to order prints or design a wedding album through you?
21. How long after the wedding will you deliver our wedding gallery?
22. Can we see a small ‘sneak peek’ gallery before then?
23. How will my wedding photos be delivered?
24. Will we have a certain amount of time to access/download them?
25. If we wanted to book you, when do we have to pay a deposit? How much is it?
26. What are the payment terms?
27. Do you have insurance?
28. If you were unable to shoot my wedding for whatever reason, what would happen?
29. Can we send you a list of shots we want? Or a Pinterest board?
30. Will you share our images online for marketing purposes?