How to Choose the Right Wedding Photographer: Questions to Ask

How to choose the right wedding photographer to capture your big day is beautifully captured – your way?! Not hiring the right photographer suit your taste and style can lead to a very common wedding day regret!

With so many photographers offering a variety of styles and packages, asking the right questions can help you find the perfect match.

Here’s a list of important questions to help you find the right wedding photographer.

Below is a list of important questions to ask your wedding photographer. I’ve been there, even a photographer can get overwhelmed when looking for a photographer for their wedding. For me, the main thing is to know exactly what you want and what you don’t want! These questions will help you along the way.

Questions About Experience and Style

1. What is your photography style?
   Photographers often specialise in styles like documentary and candid, fine art, traditional, or a mixture. When choosing the right wedding photographer, you must ask yourself, how would I feel being shot in this particular style? Or what style would I like to see in my album?? Choose a style that resonates with your vision for the day.
2. Have you photographed weddings of a similar size and theme to ours?
   Experience with weddings of similar scope can indicate the photographer’s ability to handle your specific needs.
3. Do you work alone or with a second shooter?
   A second photographer can provide additional angles and cover more moments, which is especially beneficial for larger weddings. I only work with a second shooter when the wedding is 150 people or over OR when I cannot reach the groom for groom prep and my couple would like this documented.
4. Can we see a full wedding gallery?
   Reviewing complete galleries gives you a better sense of their consistency and ability to capture the entire day, not just highlight moments. In my Real Wedding section I show off an array of weddings that have a smaller version of the clients wedding gallery. I can always open up their full gallery (with their permission of course) to show clients on a zoom session)

Questions About Availability and Packages

6. Are you available on our wedding date?
   Confirm availability early, especially if your wedding is during peak season.
7. What packages do you offer, and what is included?
   Understand what you’re paying for, such as hours of coverage, number of edited photos, albums, or prints.
8. Do you offer custom packages?
   Some photographers allow flexibility to tailor packages to your specific needs. No two weddings are the same and these days couples may not want a full day of photographic coverage. I am happy to chat with my client to see what suits them and offer intimate packages starting at 3 hours.
9. What is your pricing structure, and are there additional fees we should be aware of?
   Ask about travel fees, overtime charges, or costs for extra services like expedited editing.
10. How many hours of coverage do you recommend for our wedding?
    Photographers often have insights into how much time is needed for different parts of the day. For example, when we have our initial zoom chat, you tell me how your day is planned I can can tell you how long you will need me!

Questions About the Day-of Logistics

11. How do you handle unpredictable situations, like bad weather or changes in the schedule?
    A good photographer is adaptable and prepared for challenges that may arise. A good photographer will always have a rainy day plan set aside in cases such as these. Most will have scouted the venue ahead for time for such reasons.
12. Will you scout the venue in advance?
    Some photographers visit venues beforehand to plan shots and identify the best locations for photos. This is what we call a RECCE! I love doing recces and sometimes will go back to a venue, even if I have shot there before, just for a refresher.
13. What is your approach to capturing family and group photos?
    Discuss how they organise and manage group shots efficiently to avoid delays.

Questions About Editing and Delivery

16. How many photos can we expect to receive, and in what format?
    Clarify the number of edited images and whether they will be provided as digital files, prints, or both. Most photographers will deliver from 800+ edited images for a full day in an online viewing gallery. The client is able to download these in high resolution or web size format.
17. What is your turnaround time for delivering the photos?
    Knowing when you’ll receive your images can help manage expectations. This turnaround should always be outlined in the contract. Most photographers will deliver a sneak peek within a week and the the final images could be deliver from 4-9 weeks. Depending in busy periods.
18. Do you offer retouching or editing services?
    Confirm if retouching is included in the package or if it costs extra. In my experience and for my type of clients, most re touching can be done by me. In most cases I don’t charge extra. All should be discussed and outlined in the contract.
19. Do you provide albums or prints?
    Ask your photographer what tangible products they supply after the wedding and costs. Most photographer will always offer an album either included or as an extra. Other products can always be arranged for the client.

Questions to ask your wedding photographer about Contracts and Policy

20. Do you have liability insurance?
    Some venues require photographers to carry insurance. ALL wedding photographer should have this! No one has ever asked me for this but if you feel you should, there is absolutely no problem to ask.
21. What is your cancellation or refund policy?
    Understand the terms in case of unforeseen changes to your wedding plans.
22. What happens if you’re unable to photograph our wedding due to an emergency?
    A professional should have a backup plan, such as an associate photographer or a network they can rely on.
23. Can we request specific edits or revisions?
    Clarify how much creative input you can have during the editing process.
24. When do we need to book, and what is required to secure our date?
    Photographers often require a deposit to hold your date, so confirm the amount and payment schedule.

Choosing the right wedding photographer is about more than finding someone whose portfolio you admire—it’s about selecting a professional who aligns with your vision and can adapt to your needs.

I firmly believe that you should always hire someone that aligns with what makes you feel most comfortable and the you must bond with your photographer in your initial chat. We are one of the only people that will spend the entire day with you. So make sure you get along! This will in turn result in better photos because you will open up and trust them.

Asking these key questions will help you make a confident decision, ensuring that your wedding day is beautifully documented for years to come.

Take your time, do your research, and remember: choosing right photographer will make you feel comfortable, respected, and excited about your big day.