Ten Questions Couples Should Ask Their Wedding Photographer!

(And 5 questions you might want to ask just in case)

Hey there! If you have been following my work a bit you know that although I am a wedding photographer, I don’t take on all that many each year. So it’s not like I have a crazy amount of background and experience. However, if you’re planning a wedding you likely have about 0 experience with wedding photography and you have a thousand other things to be booking and planning. It’s easy to miss things and forget to ask questions.

I talk with my couples before booking and what I go over with them answers most of these questions so they don’t even have to think to ask. However the photographers you’re considering might not have that initial chat in place. It’s important to know these things before signing that contract!

Here we go!

10 questions you should absolutely ask your photographer, why it’s important, and what my answer is. Other photographers may have different answers. That doesn’t make them wrong, unless otherwise stated. First – the quick list for your screen shot. Then the breakdown.

Must ask questions:

1. Can I see a full gallery?
2. Do you have a second shooter?
3. Is an engagement session included?
4. What is the payment schedule?
5. How do you handle the timeline?
6. How long do I wait for photos?
7. Do you have back up gear?
8. Are my final images full sized or media sized?
9. What is your cancellation policy?
10. What is your policy on my sharing the gallery with other vendors?

Might want to ask questions:

1. How do you handle bad weather?
2. What is your wedding day attire?
3. How do you handle difficult…. mothers, aunts, groomsmen, bridesmaids, etc.?
4. What is your typical feeling of working with a videographer or content creator?
5. What if I don’t want some or any of my photos online?

And now with details… The Must Questions:

1.

Can I see a full gallery?

This is one of the most important questions you’ll ask! Everything you see us post on social media is for the most part the best work we have. That’s just how it works. Usually those in between times, the candids, and just the number of photos you receive in the end aren’t readily on display. Take note – more isn’t always better.You need to see what a final gallery looks like so you have realistic expectations of what that photographer will provide to you. My answer is always yes. I usually send two that have similar venues and wedding size to the inquiring couple.

2.

Do you have a second shooter?

This is in the area of realistic expectations. A second shooter allows for more photos and sometimes a more compressed timeline. There are a few shots that you can’t get without a second shooter. The groom reaction down the aisle AND the bride and dad just before they walk down are one combination that can’t be done with one. Groomsmen and bridesmaids getting ready in different locations at the same time are another. My answer to this is sometimes. I don’t include a second in my package but we can add that on. Many photographers always have a second. Sometimes my couples don’t need one if we work the timeline right. Sometimes I recommend they absolutely do. These are all things we discuss openly and well ahead of time.

3.

Is an engagement session included?

You should absolutely have an engagement session with your wedding photographer, especially if it’s someone you haven’t worked with before. It’s your chance to get to know each other and get a feel for how they shoot. Most include the engagement session in their wedding packages but not always. I have a short package without and the full day of coverage with an engagement session included. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker if you have to add it on, it’s just something you need to prepare for in your budget.

4.

What is the payment schedule?

This should be laid out in your contract but again, it’s something you need to know and prepare for. Mine (currently as of April 2025) is $750 retainer, half the remainder due 3 months prior and the other half due 2 weeks prior.

5.

How do you handle timelines?

The timeline can make or break your wedding day. If you are not hiring a wedding planner the photographer ends up making the timeline. I’m fine with that and pride myself on creating very efficient, realistic, and functional timelines. We work together to make sure you have all the things you want that are possible and I give you honest expectations for how the day will go. If your photographer isn’t skilled with creating great timelines and you don’t have a planner, you may want to look elsewhere. A day of coordinator is great, but isn’t involved early enough in the process to have a strong hand in timeline creation.

6.

How long will I wait for photos?

This is another question that will help your expectations be in check. Plenty of couples think that with AI and all the tools photographers have now they should have their photos in a matter of weeks. For some that may be true, but all that photo work still takes time. Don’t expect your photographer to deliver 800 photos in 5 days. But if it’s a 6 month estimate, then honey you can do better. Every photographer has a different workflow but  for me it goes like this:  Within a week of your wedding I put together a blog of highlights. Then I guarantee 10 weeks for final delivery of all, but I try to keep that to 6 weeks or less. Longer than that isn’t uncommon for most photographers. I only do about 8-10 weddings a year so the backlog doesn’t pile up.

7.

Do you have backup gear?

You gotta know. If your photographer drops their camera or someone spills a mimosa on it before the ceremony, is that photographer equipped to move on with the day as planned. Answer for me is yes. I shoot with two cameras and a ton of lenses so if I would have to go down to one it’s totally doable.

8.

Are my final images full sized or media sized?

Translation – can I print them myself. There’s pros and cons. Sometimes full sized images get compressed when you share them and don’t look as great. But if you can’t print your photos at a large size that’s something you need to be aware of. For me, the answer is full size only for weddings and engagements. You can do whatever you want with them.

9.

What is your cancellation policy?

We don’t want to think about it but remember about 5 years ago when everything was cancelled? And what if your venue double booked and you have to move your date? Or what if you decide two months out this is all too much and you elope instead? You just have to be prepared. My policy is way too legally wordy for a blog post but is in the contract and we discuss it before booking.

10.

What is your policy on my sharing the gallery with other vendors?

This one might surprise you. It’s never been a big deal to me but the word in the industry is that there’s a lot of fuss about this topic. I tell my couples they can share any photo from me with anybody. Of course it’s nice to be tagged and blah blah blah. However, when my couples do a good job filling out their questionnaire from me, I have the contact info for those vendors and will typically create a vendor gallery to specifically share with them so my couples don’t have to.

Now for a few questions that may or not apply to you as a couple, and how to determine that.

1.

How do you handle bad weather?

If you are planning for all or some or your wedding to be outdoors (and who doesn’t take their bridal portraits outdoors) you need to know if your photographer has a plan for a rainy day.

2.

What is your wedding day attire?

Seems ridiculous but I can’ tell you how many times moms and aunts especially have commented that they’re glad I look nice. I’m not fancy thing, I typically wear darker colors and go business casual. But I’ve heard so many times “the last wedding I was at, the photographer looked like she just rolled out of bed.” If you have any concern about the photographer being appropriately dressed, ask. They’re probably not going to say “ I wear yoga pants”  but at least now they know darn well not to.

3.

How do you handle difficult…. mothers, aunts, groomsmen, bridesmaids, etc.?

You might be thinking, “yup, for sure need to ask that!”. Or you might feel you won’t have anyone who is difficult to deal with on your wedding day. You’re probably right, but if you have anyone in your close group who tends to want to take charge of things they are not in charge of, ask your photographer that question.

4.

What is your typical feeling of working with a videographer or content creator?

You may not have either of these vendors for your wedding day. If you do and your photographer seems annoyed at that question, you might want to check your references. I have not worked with a content creator yet. I imagine it would be fun. The videographers I’ve worked with have all been great. We are a team working to get you the day, the photos, the footage, whatever it is you want and we should all be able to work together for you.

5.

What if I don’t want some or any of my photos online?

Most photographers have (at least should have) verbiage in their contract stating they own the copyright to the photos and have the right to share in any way they see fit. Though most of a photographer’s marketing comes from sharing images they’ve created, there’s plenty of reasons you may not want them shared and rightfully so. If it’s important to you, ask they not be shared. Often times people with government or law enforcement jobs don’t want their families all over the internet. Or you’re just very private people. Maybe you’re fine with most of them, but the flower girl’s mom would prefer her not be visible on social media. I 100% respect that. Your privacy should always be respected. Period. Just don’t be a garbage person and then turn around and share them all yourself when you asked me not to.

Great job!!! What other questions are you glad you asked or wish you had? Leave it in the comments!

If you would like to inquire with me about your own upcoming wedding, you sure can! Visit my wedding page!