100 Questions You May Ask Your Wedding Photographer

Choosing a wedding photographer is a significant decision as their work will help you relive your special day for years to come. Here are 100 important questions to consider asking a wedding photographer to ensure they are the right fit for your wedding:

General Questions

  1. How long have you been a wedding photographer?
  2. How many weddings have you photographed?
  3. What is your photography style (e.g., documentary, artistic, traditional)?
  4. Can we see full galleries of recent weddings you’ve shot?
  5. How would you describe your working style during the event?
  6. Do you have experience shooting in various lighting situations (e.g., low light, bright sun)?
  7. Are you the photographer who will be shooting our wedding? If not, can we meet the person who will be?
  8. Do you have backup photographers who will cover the event if you’re unavailable?
  9. How do you handle equipment failure?
  10. What kind of equipment do you use?

Package and Pricing

  1. What packages do you offer?
  2. Can we customize a package based on our needs?
  3. What is included in your standard package?
  4. How many hours of coverage do we get? What is the charge for overtime?
  5. Is there a travel fee for locations outside of a certain radius?
  6. Do you offer discounts for off-season or weekday weddings?
  7. When will we receive the contract?
  8. What is your refund or cancellation policy?
  9. How much is the deposit and when is it due?
  10. When is the balance due?

Before the Wedding

  1. Have you ever shot at our chosen wedding venue(s)?
  2. Can you help us create a photography timeline for the wedding day?
  3. How do you handle shot lists? Can we provide a list of specific shots we want?
  4. Do you have liability insurance?
  5. What information do you need from us before the wedding day?
  6. How will you coordinate with other vendors?
  7. Do you offer engagement or pre-wedding shoot sessions?
  8. How can we prepare for the engagement photos?
  9. What attire will you and your team wear on the day of the wedding?
  10. How do you ensure that you understand the vision for our wedding photos?

During the Wedding

  1. How do you typically structure the photography on the wedding day?
  2. Do you bring a second shooter or assistant?
  3. How do you manage time and schedule with the wedding party and family for photos?
  4. What is your approach to capturing candid moments?
  5. How do you handle difficult lighting situations, such as midday sun or dark reception rooms?
  6. Do you have any particular working style with videographers?
  7. How intrusive or noticeable are you during the ceremony and reception?
  8. How do you coordinate with family members for group shots?
  9. What do you do if the schedule gets delayed?
  10. How long will you stay during the reception?

After the Wedding

  1. How long after the wedding will we receive the photos?
  2. How many photos should we expect to receive?
  3. In what format will we receive the images (e.g., digital, prints, both)?
  4. Will the photos be retouched or adjusted?
  5. Do you provide a viewing gallery or app?
  6. Will we receive the rights to the images?
  7. Can we order prints or albums directly from you?
  8. How long do you archive the wedding photos?
  9. Are the digital images high resolution?
  10. Are there any hidden costs for full rights to the photos?

Style and Aesthetics

  1. How do you ensure your photos reflect the emotions of the day?
  2. Do you have a signature style or special elements you like to include in your photos?
  3. How do you decide which moments to capture?
  4. What inspires your photography?
  5. How do you make the subjects feel comfortable in front of the camera?
  6. Can we see examples of weddings where you’ve shot in a similar style to what we want?
  7. How do you balance posed and candid shots?
  8. What is your approach to black and white vs. color photography?
  9. Do you offer photo booth services?
  10. How do you handle group photographs?

Technical and Legal

  1. Do you backup our photos? How?
  2. Can friends and family order prints directly from you?
  3. What is your policy on social media sharing?
  4. Are there restrictions on how we can use the photos?
  5. Do you provide a contract?
  6. What happens if you’re ill on the wedding day?
  7. Are you familiar with the traditions and cultural aspects of our wedding?
  8. What is your policy on watermarking images?
  9. How long do you keep the raw files?
  10. Can we purchase the raw files?

Experience and References

  1. Can you provide references from previous clients?
  2. Have you received any professional awards or recognitions?
  3. How do you continue to improve your skills as a professional?
  4. What do you like most about photographing weddings?
  5. How do you handle stressful situations during a wedding?
  6. Have you worked with our wedding planner or coordinator before?
  7. What was the most challenging wedding you photographed and how did you manage it?
  8. What do you think sets your work apart from other wedding photographers?
  9. How do you handle different family dynamics during group shots?
  10. What are the most important factors for you when shooting a wedding?

Miscellaneous

  1. Do you have any advice on the wedding day timeline?
  2. How do you ensure you’re unobtrusive?
  3. What’s your policy on eating during the wedding?
  4. Do you offer same-day editing?
  5. What’s your favorite part of the wedding day to photograph?
  6. How do you work with shy or nervous subjects?
  7. How do you ensure diversity in shots?
  8. What do you recommend for ensuring we get the best photos possible?
  9. Do you help pose subjects for formal shots?
  10. What are your travel capabilities?

Personal Touch

  1. Why did you choose to specialize in wedding photography?
  2. How do you personalize your service for different couples?
  3. How much input can we have in the editing process?
  4. What is the most memorable wedding you’ve ever captured?
  5. How do you capture the unique personality of each couple?
  6. What do you think is the key to a successful wedding shoot?
  7. How do you balance artistic vision with clients’ expectations?
  8. Can we meet to discuss our day in detail before the wedding?
  9. How do you stay invisible and yet capture intimate moments?
  10. What do you do to ensure we have a fun photography experience?

These questions cover practical, technical, and personal aspects to help you assess whether the photographer can meet your expectations and capture your special day as you envision it.

Ali Kizginyurek

Houston-based wedding photographer Ali Kizginyurek began his journey in photography at the tender age of 14, initially working as a Photographic Assistant in eastern Turkey. His early experiences fueled a passion that led him to a career in journalism, where he sharpened his skills capturing compelling stories through the lens. His stint as a reporter included a transformative period in Paris from 2001 to 2004, which broadened his horizons and deepened his appreciation for visual storytelling.