10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Wedding Photographer

Other than images, what do you want from your photographer?

Are you looking for someone who is a soft-spoken, fly-on-the-wall type personality, or someone who can command a room and will be dancing alongside your party guests? This is such an important thing to think about beforehand and decide because there are SO MANY TALENTED wedding photographers! Many brides get overwhelmed and stressed out before they event start. Make sure you grab a coffee and actually meet the photographer’s you’re interested in. You might love their Instagram, but then find out that they drive you crazy in real life.

Once you know what you want, then you’re ready to start looking for your perfect match! Don’t worry about being too picky when it comes to your photographer. They should be someone that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed and beautiful because they are going to be with you all day. It’s not like your caterer will be following you around (although that would solve the age-old dilemma of not getting to eat at your wedding!).

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Wedding Photographer:

1. Do you offer engagement sessions? Do I have to pay extra for it?
   • This is so important to me! How else will you actually get comfortable with each other and learn what to do. I always offer engagement sessions included in my wedding bookings, because it allows me to really get to know my couples. Then by the time your wedding is here, you already feel comfortable and know what to do!
2. Do you come with a second shooter?
   • This is the question of brides everywhere and to be perfectly honest with you, it’s not the end-all-be-all question! The only reason this really matters is if you’re getting ready at multiple locations, have a complicated ceremony, really tight deadline, or just really want one! It doesn’t mean that you’ll automatically get more images, better images, or that you’re guaranteed every shot on your list. Trust your photographer to recommend what they think is best, based on your wedding day plans and their experience. Their goal is to give you the best images possible…if they think they’ll need additional support, they’ll bring it!
3. Do I get the digital files included in this price, or are they an additional cost?
   • This is an important question, depending on the photographer. Some will give you half of the digital files, some will require you to purchase prints, and some won’t include any at all. If their booking price is extremely low…this is the first question I’d ask.
4. Typically how long after the wedding do I get to see my pictures?
   • Again, this depends on the photographer. If your wedding is during very popular time of year, I would expect it to be slightly longer than usual. Most photographers can deliver in four to eight weeks after your wedding.
5. Can I see a see a full wedding that you’ve photographed?
   • This is absolutely something your photographer should be able to provide! Every photographer loves to share those dreamy photos of a bride and groom walking into the sunset, but what do their reception photos look like? Their big family formal photos? If they are just starting out and giving you a great deal, that’s one thing…but if they’re hesitant to show you, I would be concerned about the quality/experience they offer.
6. Do you have experience directing a large group of people?
   • Make sure to pay close attention to their family and bridal party groupings! If you come from a big family like I do, this was a MUST. Take a grain of salt here though…there’s only so much one can do with a crazy Uncle Jerry, or specifically requested, sometimes cheesy Pinterest shots. Pay close attention to their large group shots across their whole portfolio.
7. Do you offer additional products like albums and prints?
   • This is more of a curious-type question you should always ask. It’s so much more convenient to be able to get your wedding album from the same person who took the pictures. They were there and understand the story of your day better than anyone.
8. What happens if it rains?
   • Let me be the first to say, “Photographers cannot control the weather!!” If we could, we would be making a lot more money haha! But as long as you keep that in mind, this is a great question. They should be able to have creative solutions and more of an answer than just “…well, you’ll get wet.” A great follow-up question is to ask if they’ve ever had to shoot in rain before. You’ll immediately see how dedicated they are to getting the perfect shot…while still keeping you dry!
9. Who is your ideal bride?
   • This is a little bit of a weird question, but their answer will be very telling for you. While there isn’t really a “right” answer, there obviously is a wrong one! Please note: the wrong answer is most definitively “whoever is going to pay me the most!”. By asking this question, you may be able to discover if the photographer thinks you’ll be a good fit for them.
10. Why are you a wedding photographer?
    • This is by far, the most important question you can ask! As a bride, you deserve to have someone at your wedding who is passionate about weddings, marriage, and love! Don’t waste your time on someone who only photographs models or really loves to shoot newborns. Wait for the person who will be crying during your ceremony, and dancing right alongside your Grandma!

Now that you know what 10 questions to ask when hiring a wedding photographer, you are ready to walk into any consultation full of confidence! I believe that in addition to having an amazing wedding photographer, you should be able to hire someone that you “click” with (no pun intended). So let’s grab a coffee and see if we would be a good fit! Because if we are, I would love to be at your wedding. Need more help planning your wedding? Check out the links below:

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