Top 11 Questions You Need To Ask Your Wedding Photographer

Weddings are back. The easing has started and I am so so grateful for it. I can’t wait to get back out and photograph an ultimate couple of stories. As a wedding photographer, I thought it would be good to jot down the top questions I feel you should ask any photographer you are considering. After all, they are there to photograph your big day so you need to have trust and faith in their ability. So let’s dive in to find out my top 11 questions to ask your wedding photographer!

1 – Are you available on my wedding date?

Ok, this might seem like a bit of a silly one to note down. But it’s always best to check, you don’t want to get partway down the line and love your photographer to find out they can’t actually photograph your wedding. Most photographers can get booked between 12 and 18 months in advance and are more than happy to help out with your enquiry.

2 – Do you work alone or with a second photographer?

I personally love having an assistant at the majority of my weddings as I find it helps me out a great deal. They photograph different angles and can cover a different part of the wedding – i.e. the getting ready of the bridal party and the groomsmen. Some photographers though do prefer to work on their own. It is best to check what each package includes, and if not how much extra will it cost to add an assistant.

3 – Do you have wedding photography insurance?

This is a big one, make sure your photographer has insurance. I know you don’t want anything to go wrong but it is there if your wedding photographer makes a mistake (e.g. someone trips over a piece of photographic equipment). I always feel that is better to be safe rather than sorry. So you can probably guess I definitely have insurance!!!

4 – Do you have a contingency plan if you can no longer attend?

Unfortunately, sometimes life hits us with a curveball at the wrong time and can lead to your photographer being unable to attend your wedding. However don’t be worried about this as most photographers have backup plans for this, for instance, they have an associate, who has the same style, that is able to fill their boots.

5 – What is your photography style?

This is so important after all you want a photographer that shares your vision, so you get the photos you desire. For instance, I would describe my work as light, evocative and authentic.

6- Do you offer an engagement photo session?

I find these sessions are a must and they have so many benefits. For instance, it can help you to get to know your photographer and also it will aid you in feeling more comfortable about posing in front of the camera. This option is sometimes included in your wedding photography package so make sure to double-check as there will be an extra cost if not.

7 – Are travel costs included?

Most photographers will include travel expenses in your selected package but that normally only covers within a certain range and outside this range, they might also require accommodation. So it is best to double-check if it’s included, you don’t want a surprise bill.

8 – How much is the deposit and what are the payment methods?

It is normal for photographers to charge a deposit to secure their services. Often photographers are more than happy to work with you if you would like to spread the cost but make sure you have in writing and when your final payment is due, so there is no confusion.

9 – Are my images edited and how long will I have to wait to see them?

There is some post-processing work involved with every wedding photograph. Normally you should expect around 6 weeks for full delivery of your images via an online gallery (this is where you can download your images directly to your phone). For me, I aim to get a few images to you within a couple of days and make sure you aren’t waiting too long for your full delivery.

10 – Have you ever photographed a wedding at my venue?

You’ll find the longer a photographer has been in the business the more venues they have been to, and the more likely they’ve been to your venue. However, this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker if they haven’t. Maybe see if they fancy meeting you at the venue before the big day. Personally, I love to check out all the venues I haven’t been to, so I can make sure I can find the perfect locations for your images.

11 – Can I provide a shot list?

For me, this is a big yes. I love organisation and knowing what you want me to definitely capture. Don’t worry I will capture more, this just gives me a base. So if you base your decision on this I would give your photographer a shot list, most will be more than happy as this helps them out.

Thank you very much for reading my blog. I hope you found it useful and will aid you in finding the right photographer for your day.

Do you fancy diving into more wedding inspiration check out my blog all about feeling confident in front of the camera – How To Look Your Best In Your Wedding Photos

Also don’t forget to check out my portfolio for lots of wedding inspiration – Portfolio  Check it out