21 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

Searching for your wedding photographer can feel chaotic and confusing. 

In Oregon alone, there are hundreds of amazing, talented wedding photographers! Not only that, but every photographer has different styles, pricing, and approaches to their business.

So how do you choose a Wedding Photographer that’s right for you?

A great place to start is by asking them a few questions.

Now, there are also hundreds of these internet lists telling you what questions to ask your wedding photographer, but some of those questions might be, well, redundant. Or some might not be actually useful for you to know (like what camera I’m shooting with…. believe me it doesn’t really matter).

I know everyone loves a game of ‘21 questions’ so I’m here to deliver a list of 21 actually useful questions you should ask your potential wedding photographer.

#1 How many weddings have you shot?

Or alternatively, “How long have you been photographing weddings?” Either way, get familiar with your photographer’s credentials. You want to be able to really trust them with your big day!

#2 Have you worked at my venue before?

This one is not a make or break — if your photographer hasn’t worked at your particular venue that doesn’t mean they won’t totally nail it, it’s just a perk if they’re familiar with the space. Of course, this question doesn’t really apply if you’re getting married at a private residence.

A good follow-up question: if they haven’t worked at your venue or if it’s a private residence, is to ask if they’d like to tour it with you!

#3 Can you send me some galleries?

If they have worked at your venue, ask for a gallery from one of those weddings! Or ask to see a gallery that might be similar to what you’re envisioning for your own wedding. Photographers should be happy to share!

#4 Will you be the one shooting my wedding?

This question might seem weird to ask but you’d be surprised.

Some photography companies will send other photographers out to work events and you won’t necessarily end up with the person you were hoping for, so just to be safe, double-check that who you’re corresponding with will be the one who shows up.

#5 If you’re unable to shoot my wedding, do you have a backup plan?

Not to be crass, but shit happens. Your photographer should have a backup plan in the event that something unfortunate happens.

Personally, I have a community of amazing people to sub in if something happens to me and I can’t be there for your wedding!

#6 What is included in your photo packages?

This is a big one — every photographer is different so it’s good to know exactly what you’re getting for what cost! Some photographers offer set packages, others (like myself) create customized packages that vary from client to client, so it’s good to be clear about exactly what you’re getting.

#7 What add-ons do you offer?

Outside of what is included within your wedding photo package, some photographers offer add-ons or a la carte goodies!

It’s great to hear what creative stuff photographers have to offer and you might actually save money by purchasing things in advance (vs. after the wedding).

#8 Do you charge for extra hours/overtime?

Lots of wedding photographers price their packages based on hours (as in how many hours they’ll be shooting on your wedding day) so it’s great to know what additional hours will cost you if you need to add some!

#9 Do you work alone or do you bring a second photographer?

Also a big question — some photographers always have a second shooter (or second photographer), some never have one, and some will hire a second on a case-by-case basis. There are pros and cons to having a second photographer so that is definitely a judgment call that you and your photographer can make. But, it’s good to know if it’s something that is included in your package!

Also, make sure to ask what the price difference is and if your photographer would recommend a second or not — some weddings need more assistance than others!

#10 How many Wedding photos will we get?

This also varies a lot from photographer to photographer, and usually depends on the duration of your wedding.

Personally, I try to keep wedding galleries nicely curated and not tooooo full (think like 400-800 photos depending on the day).

#11 Do you send all the photos or just a few?

I get this question a lot so I thought it was a good one to include.

Most photographers will curate your gallery to only include the best, edited, high-quality images from the day, but you never know so it’s a good question to ask your potential photographer.

#12 How long does it take to get our wedding gallery?

Every photographer’s workflow is different so this is a great question to ask so you can set the expectations for after the wedding. Most of the time this is dependent on how busy your photographer is so it’s nice to know if you’re gonna have to wait a while!

A good follow up question is: “Do you send sneak peeks?”, or a smaller gallery of finished images before the full gallery is delivered. If you aren’t gonna see your gallery for a couple months, it’s nice to have a little preview to hold you over.

#13 How do you backup your images?

Alternatively, “What is your strategy for safeguarding images?”

It is INSANELY important that your wedding photographer be diligent about backing up your wedding photos and making sure they are safe from the moment the shutter clicks to the moment you get the gallery (and preferably forever after that). Make sure they have a system in place so that you have some peace of mind when it comes to your image files!

#14 Do you charge for travel?

Depending on where your wedding is and where your photographer is located, you might need to pay additional travel costs. Make sure your photographer is being transparent with you!

#15 What is the retainer to book your services?

Every photographer has a deposit or retainer to book your wedding date, so it’s important to know what that means for you. Some photographers have a flat rate while some ask for a percentage of your wedding package.

It’s also good to ask if the retainer is refundable or not!

#16 What is your cancellation and refund policy?

This was a real popular question during the thick of the pandemic (and for great reasons of course).

Knowing what your photographer’s cancellation and refund policies are is super important so nothing comes as a shock to you, should you need to postpone or cancel. It’s not only considering natural disasters (fires, viruses, and snow — oh my!) but also if personal considerations require a cancelation or postponement.

#17 Do you need me to sign a contract?

It’s common to have a contract to sign with your photographer upon booking them for your big day. Make sure you read it so you’re in the know about what your photographer expects from you and what you can expect from them! It’s also so great to keep on hand so you can refer back to it with any technical questions (like the cancellation policy).

#18 Do you need me to send a shot list?

Most photographers will say no to this one (or at least that’s what I’m assuming) but it’s good to ask just in case.

At the very least, photographers will ask that you have a list of family members you want formal photos with so that they can keep the day organized.

#19 How long can we access our online gallery?

While I’m a huge advocate for immediately downloading and backing up all your wedding images, it’s important to know how long you can access your gallery.

A lot of photographers will take the gallery offline after a certain period of time so make sure you’re backing up those files!

#20 Will you be using our wedding photos online?

This question is primarily good to ask if you’re not comfortable with your photographer sharing the images.

It also should be included in your photographer’s contract! We live in the digital age, so it’s common for photographers to use your wedding photos for stuff like, you know, this blog post. If you don’t want your photos used online make sure to communicate that with your photographer! Some might ask for additional fees should you not want your gallery published as a portfolio piece (like this one here).

#21 How can we buy prints or albums from you?

Buying tangible goods from your photographer is a great way to support them outside of just hiring them for your wedding.

Not only that but the quality of goods purchased from your photographer is likely much higher than the quality of common "over the counter” print shops. Ask your photographer how you can purchase beautiful prints and albums from them! We love talking about it. ;)

Learn more about buying prints from your photographer here.

Hopefully, those 21 questions give you the best insight into your potential photographer and their business and you can book your wedding photographer with confidence!

If you’re wondering what frequently asked questions I get, you can check out my investment page or my frequently asked questions page. If you want to play 21 questions with me (and see what it’s like to be one of my new clients) inquire below and let’s goooo!