7 Questions to ask your wedding photographer for a picture-perfect wedding
When the day you've dreamed of finally arrives, you'll want to capture the magic with photographs to preserve the memories. That starts with choosing a wedding photographer you can depend on for those irreplaceable moments. Knowing which questions to ask will help you find the best fit for your special day.
Do you have a portfolio and references?
Viewing a photographer’s portfolio of previous wedding photos gives you a sense of their style and abilities. Ask yourself if it’s what you envision for your wedding photos.
This is a good time to also ask for references. Former clients will be able to provide information about things you can’t see in the pictures.
Was the photographer patient and easy to work with?
Were they organized and on time?
If any issues came up, how did they resolve them?
Did they deliver everything that was expected?
What does your standard package include, and can I make custom requests?
Make a list of everything you want photos of, whether it’s events before the ceremony, particular people or rings and bouquets. If those are not included in a standard package, find out if the photographer will accommodate the requests and how much it would cost.
Have you worked at my wedding venue before?
When considering what to look for in a wedding photographer, experience at your venue is valuable. The photographer will be familiar with lighting, the best scenic areas and anything unique that comes with your special place.
How do you charge—hourly, per event or another way?
If a photographer charges by the hour, confirm how much time they are allowing for your event. What is their policy if there’s a delay or if additional time is needed?
If the photographer charges a flat fee, make sure they are aware of how long you expect the event to last so they can plan accordingly.
What are your cancellation and refund policies?
We all hope for the perfect wedding day, but sometimes unforeseen things happen. If you must reschedule or cancel your ceremony, how flexible will they be with a new date? Will the photographer refund a deposit?
It’s also important to have a documented refund policy. If the quality of the pictures turns out poorly, find out if you’re entitled to a full refund. And make sure you’re in agreement with what defines poor quality to meet the refund requirements, which could include:
Blurry images
Dull or inaccurate colors
Poor lighting
Uncentered photos
Missing pictures for particular people, moments or scenery that you requested
Do you retouch photos?
Many photographers are skilled at retouching photos to make them flawless. Is retouching included in the wedding package or does it cost extra? When you think about how to choose a wedding photographer, technical skills can be the difference between good pictures and “wow” pictures that you cherish forever.
Do you have a backup photographer and equipment?
ou can never be too prepared for your once-in-a-lifetime event. If the photographer gets sick or their car breaks down, do they have a backup to take their place? And what happens if a camera gets dropped or damaged? Having backup equipment can save the day, so this is a critical question to ask a wedding photographer.
A picture worth a thousand words is worth a few questions
You have invested so much time and money into planning your big day. Taking the time to ask questions is worth it. After all, the few minutes spent finding the right photographer for your wedding will result in photos that spark memories for a lifetime.