10 Essential Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer Before Saying "Yes"
It might feel a little nerve-racking hiring a wedding photographer, especially if you’ve never hired, or worked with, a professional photographer before. Beyond finding someone whose work you really love, you need to find a photographer who understands your vision and who can help you, your partner, and your guests feel comfortable on wedding day.
So, before signing that contract, be sure to ask the photographer these 10 questions to ensure you’ve found the perfect fit!
Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you'll make when planning your wedding. These are my top 10 questions to ask a wedding photographer before signing a contract!
looking for a Missoula wedding photographer?
10 Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer
1. Do We Connect on a Personal Level?
2. Will I Feel Comfortable in Front of Their Camera?
3. What is Their Photography Style?
4. Do They Have Experience with My Venue?
5. What’s Included in Their Packages?
6. Do They Have Backup Equipment & a Contingency Plan?
7. Can We See A Full Wedding Gallery?
8. What’s Their Approach to Editing & Retouching?
9. Do They Offer Prints & Albums?
10. How Do They Handle Timelines & Group Photos?
Final Thoughts
In this article...
10 Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer
Your photographer will be by your side for the majority of your wedding day, and if not standing close by most likely aiming their camera in your direction. They will be observing and capturing your most intimate and emotional moments. You will have such a better experience if you take the time to find someone you really connect with, someone who you and your partner like and feel comfortable being around. Ask yourself:
1. Do We Connect on a Personal Level?
- Do you want a fun, outgoing photographer who brings a lot of energy and can make you laugh?
- Or do you prefer someone calm, relaxed, and more unobtrusive?
Think about the kind of energy you want around you on your wedding day, and make sure your photographer matches that vibe. Chatting with them on the phone or meeting up for coffee or a beer can help answer these questions for you~ you’ll get a gut reaction pretty quickly that will steer you in the right direction!
2. Will I Feel Comfortable in Front of Their Camera?
This is a huge one! Even if you are camera-shy (and a lot of people are), the right photographer will be able to help you relax and feel at ease. Don’t be afraid to be honest with them and tell them how you and your partner feel about being photographed. Photographers understand and encounter these types of conversations all the time. The right photographer for you should be able to ease your nerves. Go ahead and ask them about their approach:
- Do they give a lot of posing direction, or do they focus on candid moments?
- How do they go about helping couples feel at ease?
How you feel while being photographed will shine through loud and clear in your photos. Your wedding photos will look worlds better when you feel confident and comfortable, so be sure to choose a photographer you feel comfortable with and who’s easy to talk to and be around. Again, even a few minutes on the phone or during a Zoom meeting can help bring a lot of clarity in this regard.
3. What is Their Photography Style?
Most photographers have a distinct style, of which there are several that may appeal to different people. Be sure to ask yourself: Does their work align with my vision for my wedding day? Does their portfolio make me feel something? Here are some common photographic styles & approaches (a quick search on Google will give you a much better visual sense of each of these):
- Light & Airy: Soft, romantic, and bright with pastel tones
- Dark & Moody: Dramatic lighting, deep shadows, and a cinematic feel (think darker and moodier)
- Bold & Vibrant: True-to-life colors, strong contrast, and rich tones
- Documentary/Photojournalistic: Candid and unposed moments that tell an unscripted story of the day. Great for couples who want a natural, real-life feel in their wedding photos.
- Editorial: Poses and compositions that feel like they might have come out of a high-end bridal magazine, focusing on elegance, drama, and artistic expression.
- Traditional/Classical: A mix of timeless posed portraits and key candid moments
Since the photographer’s editing style also plays a huge role in the final images, make sure their portfolio reflects the look you love. You can review their portfolio on their website and can often see more recent work on their blog and/or social media. (Don’t be afraid to stock them! Lol!)
4. Do They Have Experience with My Venue?
Each wedding venue presents unique lighting challenges, whether it's an outdoor mountain setting, rustic barn setting, or dimly lit indoor church or cathedral. In reality, whether or not your photographer has previously worked at a specific venue is not critical. However, if your photographer happens to have worked at your venue before, they’ll already know:
- The best locations for portraits
- How the light changes throughout the day
- Any potential challenges specific to that venue
Rather than questioning them about their prior experience at a specific venue, you can simply ask if they’ve photographed weddings in rustic barn settings before, or if they’ve worked in a large cathedral before. This will give you a good sense of their experience and familiarity with different types of shooting conditions. If they haven’t shot at your specific venue before, you could also ask if they typically do a venue walkthrough before wedding day to prepare.
5. What’s Included in Their Packages?
Wedding photography prices vary, so always clarify what’s included in their packages. Ask about:
✅ Number of final images delivered
✅ Engagement session options
✅ Turnaround time for final images
✅ Albums, prints, or digital-only options
A good photographer will be forthright about pricing and walk you through the options to find a package that best fits your needs. You can also ask if they offer any optional add-on services, such as bridal boudoir sessions, rehearsal dinner coverage, post-wedding day scenic couples shoots, etc. If you have something specific in mind (such as a river rafting trip with friends and family a day or two before the wedding), don’t be shy to ask how they might work that into your coverage, if it’s something you'd love to have documented in photographs!
6. Do They Have Backup Equipment & a Contingency Plan?
A true professional always comes prepared and, even though photography equipment is expensive, a professional photographer will always carry backup equipment. Ask about their backup plan in case of:
- Equipment malfunction (Do they carry extra cameras, lenses, and lighting equipment?)
- Weather issues (How do they handle rain, snow, or harsh, mid-day sunlight?)
- Illness and emergencies (Do they have an alternate photographer on standby? Would they be able to arrange for an substitute photographer if they were unable to photograph your wedding due to illness or injury?)
Although emergencies like these are uncommon, you’ll feel better knowing your photographer is prepared and has a satisfactory backup plan in place.
7. Can We See A Full Wedding Gallery?
You should understand that a photographer’s portfolio, as displayed on their website, as well as the images they share on social media, are a curated collection of their best work. Having the opportunity to view a completed, real life wedding gallery from a past client will give you a better sense of how consistent and cohesive their galleries are. You’ll also get a sense of the scope of coverage you can expect on your wedding day. You might want to pay special attention to:
- How they handle different lighting situations (indoor, outdoor, night shots, etc.)
- The variety of moments they capture (posed family/group shots, candids, and close-up/detail shots)
- The overall storytelling of the day
This will make you much better informed and also help you set realistic expectations for your own final wedding gallery.
8. What’s Their Approach to Editing & Retouching?
Editing styles can vary significantly from one photographer to another, and plays an extremely important role in the final quality of imagery you will receive. Ask them about:
- Color correction & skin tone adjustments (you won’t want all of your photos have a green color cast from overhead fluorescent lights in the banquet hall, or yellow sepia tones that’ll feel very outdated in a matter of years)
- Retouching options (blemish removal, background cleanup, removal of gross distractions, etc.) — be sure to inquire about retouching costs if this is an add-on option after final gallery delivery, in addition to the up front package price
- Whether your final images will be in the same style as their portfolio images
These questions will help ensure your wedding photos match the look and feel you’re envisioning.
9. Do They Offer Prints & Albums?
Many photographers provide only digital image files, while others offer high-quality albums and prints. Ask about:
- High-resolution vs. low-resolution image files (which images files will you get in your final gallery?)
- Watermarking (do you really want to see their business logo on all of your wedding images… especially ones you decide to print large-scale and hang in your living room?)
- Printing rights (can you print photos yourself, or do you need to order prints through them?)
- Custom album design options (do they offer custom album design and, if so, what is their process for doing so?)
If printed photos are important to you, or if you would really like a high quality, professional grade wedding album, make sure you discuss all of these important details in advance to avoid any disappointment down the road.
10. How Do They Handle Timelines & Group Photos?
If you are not working with a wedding planner, will you be on your own in creating your wedding day timeline? Or will your photographer help you out with this important task? A great wedding photographer can help the day run smoothly, which is oh so important on wedding day. Ask them:
- If they help to create the photography timeline and how they do so
- How they organize family and group portraits (this is a part of wedding day that can unnecessarily waste a lot of time if not run efficiently)
- Whether they help with planning a shot list to make sure they capture all the photos you really want
Working with a photographer who is organized and can help the day run smoothly is a huge asset and will not be something you ever regret!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the most important questions to ask yourself are:
✨ Does this photographer truly understand my vision?
✨ Do they "get" me and my fiancé/partner?
✨ Will they capture the kind of images we’ll want to have 10 or 30 years from now?
Choosing the right photographer isn’t just about beautiful photos — there are many other considerations that will either enhance the experience for you or detract from it. I would encourage you to take the time to find someone who makes you feel comfortable, understands you vision, and will create the final images and products that you most want to have.
