So it’s time to choose your wedding photographer and you want to make sure you find the PERFECT one for your day. But how do you even do that? What questions should you ask your wedding photographer? How do you know you’ll get along with them? Well, here are all the questions you should every wedding photographer you are considering!

1). How do you describe your style of shooting and editing?

If they can’t answer this one, that is a major red flag. They should provide you with a coherent answer and not just a “well I shoot and edit this way because I shoot and edit this way”. A seasoned and confident wedding photographer is someone who can pinpoint exactly their shooting and editing style. For example, I am a warm and bright wedding photographer. I aim to capture emotional images centered around love and laughter. I love candid shots and wide-open expressions.

2). What happens if you get sick or pregnant and cannot shoot my wedding anymore?

As scary as this sounds, it is definitely something to consider when hiring a photographer for your wedding. While many photographers will plan pregnancies around busy seasons, it doesn’t always work like that. You also can’t always plan for getting sick. A professional who has their ducks in a row should be able to provide you with an answer. This answer will probably vary from photographer to photographer. For example, my answer is that I will hire an associate photographer to shoot under my business, but I will do all the communication before and after, as well as all the editing, they will simply shoot for me. The couple will get to approve the shooter I hire.

3). Are there any taxes or fees in addition to your prices?

Depending on state laws, the photographer, and package structure, you may be expected to pay sales tax on your entire wedding package. This tax may be already included, or it may be tacked on to your total. Just make sure you’re on the same page with your photographer with this! For me, I am required to collect sales tax on prints I sell, but that is it.

4). Can I see a complete and recent gallery?

Whatever is on a photographer’s Instagram or Website is likely their best and favorite images. You will want to make sure that the rest of their work during the less Instagram-worthy moments is still stunning and accurate to their style. Simply to see a complete gallery of a recent wedding. Most photographers are more than excited to share with you!

5). When can I expect my full gallery?

Every photographer has their own turnaround time and system set up for delivering galleries. Make sure you understand your photographers’. For example, I estimate a 30 day turnaround time for my weddings. However, my couples may get it back earlier for later, BUT the most important thing I do is communicate with them when to expect it!

6). Do you have insurance?

This may surprise a lot of people but there are many photographers out there who don’t report taxes, have separate bank accounts, own insurance, pay dues and fees, etc. There’s a lot of photographers who aren’t legal businesses (why do you think they can charge so little?). If your photographer has insurance, that will tell you that they are serious about their job and career and that they what to make sure everyone involved is protected. Also, some venues require all vendors to have insurance. It would be awful to hire someone to then find out they can’t shoot your wedding because they don’t have insurance and the venue requires it!

7). What is required to hold my date?

Some photographers require 50%, 25%, or a set dollar amount to hold your wedding date. Some just require a signed contract. While other wedding photographers require a retainer and a signed contract. For me, I require 25% down and a signed contract with a set up payment plan to hold a date for my couples. Every photographer is different, so make sure you understand their business model.

Most photographers are honest and up front about any details you’ll need to know to hire them with no surprises but I hope this list of questions to ask your wedding photographer was useful and helpful in your planning process!

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