Questions to ask your wedding photographer
Congratulations! You’re engaged and your wedding planning is underway! How exciting! You’ve booked your perfect venue and you’re ready to find a photographer. It’s time to think about what questions to ask your wedding photographer. There are so many lists out there these days with what to ask and it can be overwhelming. After photographing weddings for about 10 years now, I’m finding that these following topics encompass much of what you really should be looking for from your photographer.
This of course is after you have decided on what style of photography you are finding yourself leaning toward!
Wait “style” – what do you mean??
If you’re not sure what I mean be this, it’s definitely something to consider before reaching out or meeting with any photographer. You’ll be disappointed if you realize the photographer you’re speaking with doesn’t give you the style you’re looking for! It has happened to me and there really is nothing worse than disappointing your clients. They booked me to “book their photographer” but when their wedding planner showed me their inspiration for their day, it was a completely different style than mine. I really had no way of editing that way with how I photograph.
So take a scroll through wedding photographs on Instagram or Pinterest and see what style you’re leaning toward. There are a few trends out there now. For example, if you look through my images, they are colorful and bright. It’s true to your wedding day colors. Other trends are light and airy – read bright whites. In these images everything feels angelic, if you will. There is also a dark and moody vibe, with dark contrast. Another option with the dark and moody is the brownish/orange coloring to the images. There is no right or wrong with whatever you choose. It’s what you feel you want your wedding day to look like! Which is really most important. Another thing is that some venues or wedding themes lend itself to one of these styles, which is why it’s so amazing that you have these options!
Ok NOW you’re ready to start talking to photographers. Let take a look at what I feel are important questions or topics to think about 🙂
Questions for your wedding photographer!
Overall Consistency and Quality
It important to know what your wedding images might look like when you receive your gallery!
When you scroll through the images from your potential photographer, does everything feel similar? Yes? Great start! But remember- social media is just a highlight reel! So let’s see what we can ask…
Question: Can I see full galleries?
A full gallery from the start of the day to the end of the reception will help to give you an idea of consistency. What do they tend to photograph? Do they capture all the parts of the day? Is there a good mix of formal portraits and candids?
It’s also a chance to see the quality of the work. Are the images sharp or blurry? Can’t they shoot outside in the sun? Can they shoot in a Church? How do the dancing pictures look at the reception?
Seeing the full galleries will also help when it comes to the next question!
NOTE- When you come to my office, I have multiple wedding albums you can look through to see variation- but also how I shoot from start to finish.
worked at venue
This comes up often in ‘questions to ask your wedding photographer’ and it is a tough one for me. First because I remember when I was new to the wedding world, so of course I hadn’t shot at the couple’s venue. But I just needed that chance to prove I could.
The other is that there are so many wedding venues. Even for a Massachusetts wedding photographer- we still might shoot in Rhode Island or New Hampshire because they are so close. It’s very hard to shoot at all of them or at one venue multiple times.
Question: Have you worked at my Venue?
It’s ok if they haven’t 🙂
Maybe these questions are what you’re looking to have answered instead:
Have you shot in a Church, that doesn’t use flash or has restrictions?
My reception hall is dark, do you use lighting?
The venue said the ceremony spot is in bright sun and is difficult for photographers. Can you show me an example you have in this situation?
The venue needs insurance- do you have it?
Can you show me a golf course, barn, or beach wedding?
What do your receptions in a tent look like?
My wedding is in the winter, what do you indoor portraits look like?
Finally:
Do you check out the venue or talk to the venue beforehand, if you haven’t worked there before?
All these questions will help to alleviate the ‘how are they going to shoot at my venue, if they haven’t before.’
If you love what you’re seeing from the photographer (full galleries) and you have a good vibe with them (See bonus tip!) then I know they’ll find the best spots at your venue for your wedding images 🙂
What to see more of this wedding? Check out Ashley and Bobby’s Coastal Wedding.
Second Photographer
When you think about the wedding day, there is a lot going on! And many times, it’s in multiple locations. This is where this question comes in!
Question: Do you have a second photographer?
Here are some reasons that a second photographer is a great addition to your photography package!
NOTE- my second photographer is always another wedding photographer that I’ve vetted. They have my similar values and style so that they can provide you the best possible service on your Big Day!
Specializes in Weddings
Ok, maybe not so much in the category of questions to ask your wedding photographer but rather something to think about when hiring a wedding photographer. Wedding days are amazing and chaotic all at once. They are filled with emotions that come and go just as quickly as the day does.
Hiring a wedding photographer that specializes in weddings ensures they know what they are getting into. Most likely they’ve seen anything that can happen on a big day (maybe- we still get surprised!) and can adjust. It means they are on the look out for everything happening on the day – the main moments and all the little ones in between.
It usually means they LOVE what they do. Wedding photography is a lot of pressure. So if they are solely focusing on this type of photography- they enjoy the happiness weddings bring.
If they are anything like me, they are nervous, excited, and emotional all at the same time- both while at the wedding and when you see your images for the first time. They’ve gotten to know you, your family and friends. They want you to love your images so much that you want to look back through your wedding album so often- it’s never put away. When you see you portrait on your bedroom wall, that you remember to love each other as much as you did that day and more.
NOTE- Look, that’s me! I love getting a quick snap with my couples because I really do love capturing your wedding day!
What other questions to ask your wedding photographer do you think are important? Let me know and I’ll gladly update the blog! But I hope these will lead you to a photographer that’s perfect for you!