A wedding photographer is one of the most essential vendors of your big day! You're choosing someone to capture the feeling of the day through the lens of a camera and provide you with photos to cherish—it's a big deal! You'll want to meet with your potential wedding photographer to discuss what you want, find out more about their work, and decide whether you vibe with them. Here are some questions to ask to help you both shoot your shot!
Do you have my date available?
This is the first and most obvious question you want to ask your potential wedding photographer! It might seem self-explanatory, but you want to ensure that they're available on your date before you get too attached to them. It's a misuse of everyone's time to have a conversation with a photographer who isn't able to save the date!
How many weddings have you shot?
Most professional photographers will have a bio and their experience on their website/portfolio—if they don't, that's a red flag! Unless they're specifically a wedding photographer, their portfolio will probably only disclose how long they've been in the industry as a whole. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with hiring new talent, it is important to know their experience level with weddings so you can plan accordingly!
How would you describe your style?
This question can be answered two ways: their photography and working style, both of which are important to know! There's no right or wrong answer here, but it should reflect what you're hoping for on the day of and in a final wedding album. Do you want someone who will organically document the day as it happens, or are you looking for more guidance? The photographer's answer should align with what you've been envisioning!
Can we see a full wedding gallery?
A good photographer should have no problem doing this! If they're unwilling to show you a complete gallery, it's impossible to understand the full depth of what you're getting—another red flag. Pictures speak for themselves, and by viewing a complete gallery, you'll be able to see the photographer's full skill level.
Can I give you specific shots we would like?
We're willing to bet you have at least a few photos on your wedding inspo board! If you'd like to recreate some of those images on your big day, it's important to ask if the wedding photographer is open to this. Some photographers have no problem taking inspiration from your Pinterest board, but others might not be as comfortable doing so if it doesn't fit their style. You'll never know unless you ask!
Do you have a second shooter or assistant?
Some photographers work with assistants or second shooters to capture additional shots or behind-the-scenes content! If there is a team involved in shooting your wedding, you'll want to acquaint yourself with everyone and understand what each person's role in your day is. If they typically work solo, adding an assistant or second photographer to your contract will most likely result in an additional fee, something you'll want to be aware of!
What is your backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding for some reason?
No one wants to think about something going wrong on their wedding day, but it'd be silly not to have a backup plan in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. If your photographer is unable to photograph your wedding, you can take comfort in knowing that they have some sort of backup plan in place!
How do you keep my images safe?
Every professional photographer should be able to explain in detail the logistics of keeping your images safe! In addition to 2 memory cards used in cameras, they should want to tell you about how they keep your images safe during and after the wedding, including backup equipment, when they format the cards, how they store your images, and how many hard drives they use.
When will we receive our wedding photos? Sneak peeks?
Photographers are very busy people and are booked most, if not every, weekend during peak wedding seasons! Their turnaround time might vary, so ask how many weeks or months it might take and make sure you feel comfortable with the answer. If their answer is on the lengthier end of the spectrum, ask about a sneak peek timeframe!
How soon can you have a photo for us to post?
In the age of social media, making your nuptials Facebook official is a big deal! If posting a wedding photo to your feed soon after the big day is important to you, ask your photographer if they'd be open to sending you a photo for social media. This is important to discuss during your initial conversation so your photographer is aware of your wishes and expectations and can plan accordingly!
While you're hiring your wedding photographer for their skill and expertise, it's just as important that you're comfortable with them and their practices. Asking questions builds trust and ensures you're on the same page. Getting to know your photographer helps them get to know you and will ensure that they have everything they need to capture your big day as you’ve always envisioned it!
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