5 Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer

You’re engaged to the love of your life (CONGRATS!), and now the wedding planning begins! This is the day you’ve been dreaming of your whole life, so you want everything to be perfect. Wedding planning should be enjoyable for the most part, but we know that’s not always the case. Hiring a team of professional wedding vendors can be an extreme task, but we’re here to make that a little less overwhelming and more fun for you.

Here are 5 questions that you should be prepared to ask a wedding photographer that you’re interested in working with.

#1. Do you have testimonials given by past brides that I can read? May I contact them?
You want to know what a photographic experience is like with the photographer you’re interested in hiring and working with for both your engagement session and wedding day. Most photographers have testimonials displayed right on their websites, or on their profiles with The Knot or WeddingWire. You want to hear all about a bride and groom’s connection to the photographer, how they performed, what their work is like, if they meet deadlines, etc. Even ask the photographer for names and contact info. of brides they’ve worked with so that you can speak to them over the phone.

#2. How many weddings do you shoot per month? How many total weddings have you shot all together?
You would like to hire a wedding photographer that responds to your emails and questions right away and who gives you the attention you deserve. If a wedding photographer is shooting practically every weekend of the year, that’s one busy schedule with tons of brides who are seeking their attention, too! Some photographers limit the amount of weddings they take on each year so that they are able to answer questions, help with the wedding day timeline, give advice, and so on. You also want to consider the number of weddings they shoot each month as that affects when your images will be delivered to you. Ask the wedding photographer how many weddings they have under their belt. Do you want a seasoned photographer who has shot for years and has tons of experience, or do you want a new photographer just getting started in the wedding industry, but has a heart of gold and a passion for the business? There are certainly pros and cons to both, and more often than not, budget plays a role in this decision. Think about this super important investment when talking with the photographer.

#3. May I see a full wedding gallery?
Social media shares the wedding day highlights. Blog posts are super helpful, but they do not show every single image that a wedding photographer delivers to their couple. Ask to see an entire wedding gallery. This will show you the getting ready shots, the bridal party, first look, family formals, the ceremony, and the reception. What do their photos look like when they shoot mid-day in full sun? If you’re having an indoor reception, you’ll want to see what their experience is in working with off-camera lighting or flash. Think about the parts of a wedding day that you want captured the most, look at their work, and make sure you love what you see!

#4. Do you have back-up equipment?
Ask the wedding photographer for a list of their equipment, and make sure they have more than one camera and a variety of lenses to suit any scenario.

#5. Have you ever worked at my wedding venue/site before?
It’s important for the wedding photographer that you’re working with to be familiar with your wedding location. They’ll know right where the perfect spots are for portraits, will know the rules of the venue, and will have already worked with the venue staff. If they haven’t worked at your wedding location before, that’s okay! Ask them if they’d be willing to take a trip to your venue a month before your wedding day, or see if they can arrive an hour early the day of your wedding.

Not only do you deserve beautiful images, you also deserve an amazing photographic experience. Be sure to do your homework and think of other questions to ask in addition to these five.

Photography is a huge part of your wedding day. You leave your reception with your spouse and your pictures… that’s it! Ask these five questions and you’ll be sure to find a great wedding photographer who delivers exactly what you want.