17 Questions to Ask your Wedding Photographer List

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 and ensure they have answered, before booking you may want to ask your photographer these things to make sure that everything goes smoothly, and also so you know exactly what to expect and so there are no hidden surprises.

Your photographer should hopefully have covered most of this, but just incase they haven’t here are a few things to think about and ask when you meet them.

List of Questions to Ask your Wedding Photographer

The first question and obvious one is are your available on my date? If the answer is yes then make sure the below questions are also covered, if unfortunately the photographer you enquired with is unavailable then take a look at your shortlist and contact another one.

With your wedding photographer available and ready to book, make sure these 17 questions are covered and answered.

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.

So why is this important to you? If your photographer was to lose or damage their camera equipment they can claim on their insurance and replace this, if they don’t have insurance and cannot afford to replace then they may have to cancel your booking leaving you without a photographer.

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?

Find out the backup plan. For peace of mind ask them about their back up plan. 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.

3. Can I view some completed albums?

Viewing completed albums allows you to see a story, instead of seeing one or two ‘wow’ shots, how about photos from the whole day, getting ready, walking down the aisle, photos of expressions and the emotions of your family. Photos of your guests, close friends and bridesmaids so you can relive it all.

You want to see consistency, amazing photos throughout, their style within all images, you want to feel like you are reliving the wedding, you want it to be an amazing story of the day and not a set of photos. You want to view an album as a story of moments throughout the day and ensure each photo it beautifully captured in its own right.

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 and it isn’t just a job to them.

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 f 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 getting ready which maybe in one hotel, and then the groom and the guys getting ready in another. You can get photos of people walking in outside the church and photos of people sitting down, 2 shooters are great for larger weddings ensuring no moment is missed.

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, a large group shot, make sure you let your photographer know an have someone 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 their 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 and your wedding photographer has gone away they will then start editing your photos. They will take hundreds of photos of you day and these will need cropping, editing, some will be removed to ensure that you are left with the best photos that tell the perfect story of your wedding day. This can take anywhere between 2-8 weeks, but ask your photographer, 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 you wedding photographer you should know how you will get your photos, the standard way is on a USB pen or a download link, many photographers will also send you photo versions perfect for social media that are saved for the web. 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?

If so, ask to see one to make sure you are happy with it, if not then is there something they recommend. If you have agreed for your photographer to put an album together for you ask to view a completed album, ensure you are happy with the quality of albums they are using and the way the photos are presented.

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 be left to do what they do best. They will want to know the exact locations of the ceremony, reception and party, as well as the exact times of the day, where you will be getting ready, what time you will be leaving to go to the church, 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, the have experience of knowing where to be at the right time, where to get the best shots, events that will unfold at certain times and likely photos that will capture true emotion of the day.

12. May I have a list of references?

Get in touch with other couples that have used this photographer to make sure they were happy with their photos, the photographer on the day, our website has a review section on their profile page where you can read feedback and quotes from couples.

13. How much of a deposit do you require and when is it due?

Find out the payment terms and how much you require to pay to book them. Wedding photographers can be booked up to 2 years in advance, so ensure you get your photographer booked as soon as you can.

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 in making an informed decision based on your budget and desired deliverables.

Bonus Question. Have you ever shot at my wedding venue?

If they have then they may have wedding albums they can show you of photos taken there, this will get an idea of the sort and style of photos you will have, it also makes it a little easier as your photographer will already know those great little spots for this 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 in them and 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?

You 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 or get in touch with someone else and 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.

Download it here.