Narrowing down your search to find the perfect photographer for your wedding day can be a daunting task. I’m here today to walk you through the process and give you some simple questions that you can take to your consultation or initial phone conversation. These should help you navigate those waters of uncertainty and get to know the photographer personally, and professionally, at the same time. Here are my top recommendations for questions you should ask your wedding photographer.

Question 1: How long have you been a photographer and why did you pick wedding photography?

You’ll want to get to know them and learn more about their business, as well as their passions as an artist. Ask them how long they have been a photographer. This answer obviously will vary, so make sure that, whatever their answer is, you’re comfortable with their answer. You want to find someone you connect with, who values what you value, so make sure they really truly love weddings and they are bought all the way in on wedding days.

Question 2: What is your photography style?

Many photographers will have a consistent style in which they photograph and document weddings. Make sure that their style aligns with your vision of your wedding day and photos. Experienced photographers will be able to concisely define and describe their style, both in terms of how they shoot and how they edit. It is important to find someone who 100% aligns with your vision.

Question 3: What makes you different from other photographers?

Look for them to be able to state a distinctive quality about themselves or their business that makes them stand apart from all the other wedding photographers out there. Or, better yet, maybe they will come right out and tell you why you should pick them above anyone else. Does their answer match your vision and/or unique style?

Question 4: On the wedding day, how many photos will be posed vs candid?

Some people like editorial, posed photos. Some like more natural looking photos. Make sure their shooting style matches. For me personally, photos typically break down to 80% candid and 20% posed photos. With some direction to help with posing, I really just let the love flow between the couple. There are usually some formal portraits and family portraits that will be posed photos. Other than that, I try to curate a moment and make sure it looks pretty, but I really just let it unfold and capture it as it happens.

Question 5: What is included in your wedding day package?

Look over the cost closely. Does that package include things such as an engagement session, prints, digital copies, a 2nd photographer, etc? All of those additional items may come at an extra cost to you and your partner, depending on the photographer. Have an open conversation with your potential wedding photographer and learn their opinion on such items, and why it is (or why it isn’t) included in their packaging.

Question 6: What does a typical wedding day look like?

Do they have a set order for doing things? Are they flexible at all? Does their schedule, or order of events match what you’re looking for, or your wedding day overall? You are looking to see if they have a proactive routine that they go through or if they just follow along and go with the flow.

Question 7: What is a second shooter and should I have one on my wedding day?

Sometimes a second shooter can be confused with an assistant. A second shooter is a trained professional who comes along and shoots along with the lead photographer. There are many benefits for having a second shooter on a wedding day. Be sure to check with them to see their thoughts and recommendations.

Question 8: What is the turnaround rate for photos?

Most photographers will have a stated minimum and maximum window for you to receive your edited photo gallery. If you have a specific request, such as a photo used for thank you notes that you need prior to this window, now is the time to ask them if that’s a possibility.

Question 9: How many photos do you deliver from a wedding day?

Every photographer is different, so there isn’t a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ here. Just make sure you are comfortable with the response. I don’t have a photo guarantee, but a good rule of thumb is 100 photos per hour. So if your photographer is shooting for 8 hours, you can expect around 800 photos from me, which is a lot of photos!

Question 10: What is the process of hiring you?

How much is the deposit and when do they need it? Do they have a written contract that clearly states all the logistics mentioned in the consult? Does it state the turnaround time, payment information, etc.? (Tip: there should always, always be a contract.)

When is the remainder of the balance due? These logistical questions, while not fun, are super important.

10 questions to ask your (potential) wedding photographer