10 questions to ask your potential wedding photographer

What 10 questions to ask your potential photographer are actually going to help? I had so many when I was looking and had no idea where to start. So I have pulled together some of the best questions that (I think) will help get the most from your initial meeting. These are the top 10 questions to ask your wedding photographer coming from a wedding photographer…so they will help. You are looking at spending 8 hours + with your photographer on what is, ultimately, one of the most important days of your life.  So being armed with some questions will help you feel confident you are getting the right information from your shortlist of photographers. 

You have a short list right? NO…Ok do that bit first.

I have put together these top 10 questions to ask your wedding photographer because knowing where your money is going is important. Getting to know each other is a massive deal. If you have some questions ready for your initial meeting, you will understand more of what your photographer can offer. What you see on websites, Instagram, Pintrest or Facebook are highlights of previous weddings, just snippets.

Get to know how your potential photographer works, what does a whole wedding look like? Can I see that?

With some questions at the ready you won’t finish the meeting with “oh I forgot to ask…” (be honest how many times have you done that?)

Lets get to it.

  1. Are you available on our date?

Seems a simple one but this really does need to be your first question. Imagine being excited, thinking you have found the best wedding photographer, only to find that your date is already booked. Most photographers will be booked up 12 months in advance. Saying that,  things have gone a bit haywire since Covid hit us, postponements and cancelations all over the place. Photographers have space where they wouldn’t normally, worth checking for cancelations if you are a late booking.

 

  1. How Long Have You Been a Wedding Photographer?

You need to know that the photographer you are potentially booking has enough skill and experience to capture the wedding shots you would expect. Weddings tend to follow a similar schedule, an experienced photographer will know where to be at what time.

If you ask and they are new to the wedding industry, that’s fine, we all need to start somewhere, but the price you are paying should reflect that.

 

  1. Have you worked at our venue before?

It’s not the end of the world if they haven’t, there are hundreds of amazing wedding venues across the country, even the busiest of photographers would struggle to work in all of them. However, most photographers would like to visit the venue before or at least have talked with the wedding venue coordinators to discuss photography.

 

  1. Can you describe your style?

Wedding photographers tend to find a style and stick to it. That’s not to say they wont cross over into other styles at times, but the way they work will normally come through in the final images. A few styles you could research before hand:

Once you have done some research make sure your potential photographer fits with what you are looking for. If you don’t want to be posed for too long, find someone who is a documentary wedding photographer. If you are going for a traditional formal affair, look for one that reflects that in their work.  Find what suits you as a couple.

 

  1. What packages do you offer?

Always good to know exactly what you are paying for. What is included in the package? If you are paying between £800-£2500 you need to know what you get and how you get it.

Do you get a USB stick, an online gallery, unlimited downloads, a photo album, prints, slideshows, upgrades and so on. Is travel included in package? Is an engagement included? How many hours is a full package?

 

  1. Do you offer options for a second photographer?

Having 2 photographers can be a blessing at large weddings but equally can be overkill at micro weddings. Think about what you have planned and what you want to achieve. Can one person do that? Will your preparations be at separate venues? Do you want first reaction shots from both partners?

Second photographer options are great, and your potential photographers will have a network of professionals they work with on a regular basis. Make sure you ask as early on as they will need to be booked and confirmed too. Make sure your price quoted includes the second photographer, you don’t want any nasty surprises on the day.

 

  1. When do you arrive and when do you leave?

Both standard questions and will be drawn up in your contracts but it is good to get an idea of times. Weddings are a long day for everyone don’t expect your photographer to stay too long after the first dance or cake cutting, by that time you will be in full on party mode, so you won’t mind them leaving. If you want them longer then ask how much per hour is it to stay. Get those questions asked in your meetings.

 

  1. How much is the deposit?

Make sure you check how much that is and when you need to pay it by. Photographers get lots of enquiries, especially for the summer months, by paying that deposit early you will secure that day.  Another big money question is when does the balance need to be paid? Find the answers to those questions in your first meeting and it will make budgeting a lot easier.

 

  1. What is the plan if you can’t attend?

Sometimes things happen. Emergencies and unforeseen situations do occur, but rest assured, a good wedding photographer will have a strong network of other professionals they can use to help. It is boring and no one wants to think about it, but wedding insurance is another must have.  After a year of lockdowns and cancellations, covid-19 caused chaos in the wedding industry, wedding insurance came in handy for a lot of couples.

 

  1. Are you insured?

Every professional wedding photographer should have insurance for their sake and yours. Professional indemnity and public liability insurance are a must. If you are unsure ask to see their paperwork, they should be happy to show you. Nothing to hide here.

 

There are so many more  than 10 questions to ask your potential photographer, once you get to know them, but these should set you on the right path and open up a channel of communication that you can continue to build on right up to the moment you say, “I do”.

 

These images were taken by me at the beautiful Old Hall in Ely. You can find out more from them at http://theoldhallely.co.uk/weddings-4/

you can also find more here https://www.sarahcarterphotography.co.uk/portfolio/

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