You are looking for, or perhaps found your perfect wedding photographer, you love their style, looked over lot’s of their work and they are available for your wedding day.
Here are a few things to consider asking before you book so you know exactly what to expect and there are no hidden surprises. Most of this should be covered in their listing, but if anything isn’t clear it’s best to ask on a video call.
List of Questions to Ask your Wedding Photographer
1. Do you have Insurance?
When hiring a wedding photographer ensure they have public liability insurance. This ensures they are covered incase of an accident, such as bumping into a guest with their lens, or someone tripping over their tripod for example. A professional wedding photographer should have this as well as equipment insurance. If they are a part time photographer or doing it as a hobby then they may not have insurance to save money.
Some wedding venues actually require all photographers to provide proof of their insurance before working on their premises.
2. What happens if you are ill, or there is an emergency?
If you book through wedissimo then we will find you a replacement photographer if your photographer is ill, as long as you or the photographer let’s us know about the emergency. Often photographers have layers of backup plans. For peace of mind ask them about this. Photographers with years of experience will have a plan, they may have a little list of trusted photographers they can call upon if they cannot make it for whatever reason. By asking this you will also feel more relaxed and be able to trust them.
If you ask this and your photographer doesn’t have a plan or ignores the question then do challenge them, this is one day and one chance to capture, so they should have a back up plan – even if that plan is just to let wedissimo know.
3. Can I view some completed albums?
Viewing completed albums allows you to see a story, instead of seeing one or two ‘wow’ shots.
You want to see consistency, amazing photos throughout and their style within all the images. You want to feel like you are reliving the wedding, and that it’s an amazing story of the day and not a set of photos. You want to view an album as a collection of moments throughout the day and ensure each photo it beautifully captured in its own right. You can always ask them to upload an additional gallery to their profile on wedissimo.
4. What do you love about weddings and what you do?
An odd question and may not seem crucial, however this about making sure they are a good match for you. Do they share your excitement? Do they love what they do and have a passion for it?
Here you can see if you get on with them, understand why they do it, and ensure they enjoy what they do.
5. How much would it cost for an additional hour?
Make sure you are getting everything captured that you want. Plan out the day and the timings and ensure your photographer is there to capture it all, check how many hours is included in a full days coverage, do you want your photographer to get photos of you and your bridesmaids getting ready, do you want them to be around to capture your first dance? Think about how many hours you will need and the schedule for your day and ensure your photographer will be there to cover it all.
You may have booked your photographer and agreed everything with them, however you may have changed the timings slightly, the cake cutting has been moved back slightly which has moved your first dance back so it is little later now, if timings are tight and you maybe pushed then speak to your photographer and see if you can agree for them to stay and extra hour and find out how much they would charge for this.
It maybe better to have your photographer booked to be there a little later so that you don’t feel rushed and stressed on the day to get everything done before your photographer leaves.
6. How much is it for a second shooter?
You don’t want to miss anything, so perhaps you should consider a second photographer to capture moments from another angle. This is great if you want photos of you and your bridesmaids are getting ready in a different location to the groom. You can get photos of people walking into the church and photos of people sitting down. 2 shooters are also great for larger weddings where there are so many moments happening at the same time.
7. Can I request certain images to be taken?
If there are some family photos you would like taking then let your photographer know well in advance. Make sure they have a list and know when you would like them taken. You may want some shots of you with your mum and dad, the rest of the family or a large group shot. Just make sure you let your photographer know and have someone to help round up the people when the shots are going to be done.
Don’t give your photographer a long list of photos you want taken, such as you and the groom on the steps outside, then on the little bridge in the grounds, and then a large group shot on the stairs. Let your photographer do their job and with years of experience and creative flare.
A photographer could take over a 1000 images on the day but you won’t see all of them, so do find out how many you should expect to receive once edited.
You can read more about this and why wedding photographers won’t give you unedited photos in our article here.
8. How long after the wedding should it take till I see my photos?
Once your day is over your photographer will start editing your photos. They will take hundreds of photos of you day and these will need cropping and editing. Some will be removed to ensure you are left with the best photos that tell the story of your wedding day. This can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks and at peak season it may take longer. If you need or would like some photos before then, then speak to your photographer and see if they can give you a few sneak peak photos earlier on.
9. How will I receive my images?
Prints? Download them? Disc? USB? When you hire your wedding photographer you should know how you will get your photos. While the standard way is on a USB pen or a download link many photographers will also send you photo versions designed for social media. They may also give you access to a web gallery where you and your guests can login and view the photos from the day.
If you want them to be printed or an album made up for you then speak to your photographer and see what options they have and the cost for this. What better way to see your wedding photos than in a beautifully presented wedding album that tells the story of your beautiful wedding day.
10. Is an album included?
Usually this is an optional extra.
11. What information do you need from me before the wedding day?
Give your photographer all the information they need prior to the day so they can do what they do best. They will want to know the exact locations of the ceremony, reception and party, as well as the exact timings of the day, where you will be getting ready, what time you will be leaving to go to the church and what time you plan to cut the cake. This ensures your photographer knows where to be at the right time.
This is why hiring a professional wedding photography is so important. They have the experience to know where to be at the right time, where to get the best shots, which events will unfold at certain times and what photos will capture true emotion of the day.
12. Can I see your reviews?
Our website has a review section on each photographer’s profile page so it’s worth checking out other people’s experiences before booking. you might not need to ask the photographer directly, but it’s worth having this question on your mental checklist.
13. How much of a deposit do you require and when is it due?
If you book on wedissimo the deposit amounts are fixed. But if you are using another platform it’s important to ask these questions.
If you are booking more than 90 days in advance then you pay a 8.75% deposit now, 10% in 30 days time and we’ll collect the balance 30 days before the wedding from the same payment card.
If you are booking less than 90-30 days in advance you pay 18.75% as a deposit and the balance 30 days before the wedding
If you are booking less than 30 days in advance then you pay upfront
The deposit is fully refundable for 30 days, as long as the wedding is more than 30 days away when you cancel.
14. Do You Work with a Second Photographer or Assistant?
Understanding the photographer’s team setup is vital, especially for larger events. Having a second photographer or assistant can ensure that multiple angles and moments are captured simultaneously, offering a comprehensive view of your day. It’s essential to know if they work solo or have a team to support them.
15. What’s Your Plan B for Unforeseen Circumstances?
In the unpredictable world of weddings, unforeseen circumstances can arise. Ask about their contingency plans for emergencies such as equipment failure or unforeseen scheduling changes. A professional photographer will have backup gear, a plan in place, and the experience to navigate unexpected situations seamlessly.
16. How Do You Manage Timelines and Group Photos?
Efficiently managing time and coordinating group photos are crucial for a smooth wedding day. Inquire about their approach to ensuring timelines are followed without feeling rushed. Additionally, discuss their strategies for organising and capturing group shots while ensuring the process remains organised and stress-free for everyone involved.
17. What’s Included in Your Packages and Are There Additional Costs?
Understanding the photographer’s pricing structure and what is included in their packages is essential. Inquire about the number of hours, albums, prints, digital files, and any additional costs for extra services or overtime. Clarity on these details helps you make an informed decision based on your budget and desired deliverables.
Bonus Question. Have you ever shot at my wedding venue?
This makes it a little easier as your photographer will already know where to find great little spots for beautiful couple shots. If they haven’t then there is no need to worry, they may wish to go and check out the venue before hand or get there a little earlier to have a walk around.
Final Tip when speaking to them
The photographer should make you feel at ease, no question is silly and really your photographer should cover this all for you so when they say ‘do you have any questions’ you draw a blank and feel confident that everything you need to know has been discussed.
When looking for a Wedding Photographer here a few questions to ask yourself:
- Do I feel a positive connection with this photographer and their work?
- Am I comfortable and confident with this person’s work?
- Has this photographer listened well and addressed all my concerns?
- Do I trust this person to capture the biggest day of my life?
Your photographer should answer any questions you have and address any concerns. If you come away with any worries then perhaps get back in touch with them to see how you feel. Go with your gut. If you love their work, feel confident with them and feel you can trust them, then get them booked.
Download Questions to ask your photographer
To make is easy we have created a free download PDF you can print at home and make notes and ensure you have the questions at hand when you speak to your photographer.