16 questions for your wedding photographer

Happy New Year. Of course among wedding professional we look at the next six to eight weeks as "booking season." Easily half of our business for the upcoming year is scheduled during the next several weeks. To help brides and grooms, here is a list of pretty effective questions built from my years of experience working with couples and working with others.

1. (For self-described photojournalists) How much of your candid-looking work is posing and setting-up of shots or do you get shots as they happen without posing or reenactment?

"Wedding photojournalist" has become a buzzword which has lost its specific meaning with it surge in popularity among photographers. Often, the term "photojournalist" means candid-looking when used by photographers and studios to describe their own work. Often these photographers will set up and reenact a few things during your wedding day but rely heavily upon traditional portraiture for a lot of your photos... there is nothing wrong with this approach if you are comfortable with that. But a true wedding photojournalist has the talent and ability to anticipate, observe and "see" moments as they happen, thus really documenting the flavor and fun of your day with very rarely any need to "stage" things.

2. Are you full-time? When did you start shooting full-time?

Many, many wedding shooters out there work full-time jobs in something other than photography. Their plan is to grow and develop by gaining experience and building a client base which will ultimately allow them to go full-time. A full-time photographer has already made the personal and professional investment of their time and energy to create a valued, sought-after business. Look for the full-time shooters if you want a photographer with experience and who can give their undivided attention to all details about your wedding before during and after your event.

3. Why do you like to photograph weddings?

This question helps you to gauge who your photographer is as a person and artist. Gauge the person's passion and energy. Does he/she seem enthusiastic or kind of flat? People who love what they do have a tendency to be very good at what they do, and they tend to make the process enjoyable and fun. And knowing a little about what makes the person tick is a good way to feel out what kind of a "fit" personality-wise you may be. After all, you will be spending an entire day with your photographer, so do what you can to be sure the person you pick will be genuinely excited to be there and pleasant throughout that day.

4. Will you be the actual photographer to shoot our wedding? If not, who?

It's not uncommon for photographers and larger studios to have a network of shooters. If you learn the person you are talking to will not be the shooter. Insist you talk to the person who will and also insist you see their personal portfolio.

5. What kind of input can we have on the shots? i.e. subject matter, shotlists and ideas from other wedding shots we liked?

A formals/posed groupings worksheet is sometimes necessary when planning when and how to get that part of your wedding. I know I have one. Of note: if you are keen on hiring a wedding photojournalist and have a bunch of photojournalism style shots you have seen elsewhere for your wedding, it's wise limit your shot suggestions to a handful. It is important when capturing the unique qualities and moments of your wedding to keep it open-ended for your photojournalist. A good wedding photojournalist cannot produce every photo you can think of, but he/she can produce photos you never dreamed of.

6. Are the digital files available on CD/DVD? If so, are they high resolution?

This is a popular request by couples. The discs can vary widely in price. Also ask if there are any discounts applied to the CD/DVD after a certain time has passed from the wedding., i.e. half-price two years after the wedding.

7. What kind of color correction and adjustments do you make to the files on the CD/DVD.

It is nice to have your pictures in hand to keep safe and make whatever prints you like. Keep in mind all digital images on the disc should be toned, adjusted and worked a little to make an adequate print. I usually tell all my clients if they want the very best gallery quality prints with minimal fuss, they may want to think about ordering the photography products from me and not on their own from a disc. I can provide more superior quality control over five 8x10 prints than I can 500 image files.

8. Do you have a list of references with contact info?

This is fairly self-explanatory. A real live person who has worked with a photographer will give you valuable information.

9. Who do you carry liability insurance with?

Chances are slim you will ever have to worry about this. Enough venues out there require a certificate of insurance for a photographer to work an event at their venue it is worth asking. More importantly, a photographer who will produce a professional standard for you operates their business with professional standards focused on the long-term viability of their business.

10. What is the delivery time for the various products you offer?

It really shouldn't take half a year to receive an album, your proofs or any other products. A caveat: although it is not always possible, try to be timely with any input your photographer requires as far as albums, edits to help this process along.

11. With the albums, how does the design and picture selection process work? Are there any fees for changes we would like prior to the album's production?

You should have some input into important keepsakes of your wedding. Some photographers charge extra for a certain number of changes to the albums they design for you prior to the printing and binding of any album. Beware of time deadlines too, they are necessary to preventing production bottlenecks.

12. When will the proofs be ready? Is there a time limit for the online proofing galleries?

If working with a digital photographer, online proofing (when you first get to see your photos online) should be completed within a couple of weeks of your event. The time period of online availability for those galleries varies among photographers. Some post them for three months, others post for a full year. Check with your photographer.

13. What happens if the photographer is ill? What about back-up equipment?

Any succesfull, established professional photographer should have a network of shooters available for emergency help. You should have written assurance the substitute photographer will be a competent professional.

14. Should our event last longer than scheduled? Will the photographer stay, are there extra charges?

Self explanatory.

15. What associations do you belong to?

I find most couples don't care but it is one (among many) useful ways to gauge a photographer's qualifications and professional commitment.

16. Why should we hire you?

Again, this question is similar in spirit to Question 3. Your photographer's answer should communicate some excitement not just about potentially getting a wedding gig but getting to shoot your wedding.


These are some good starter questions. Add your own and you'll be on your way to some breath-taking images!

Chris Cummins
Owner/Chief Photographer, Glow Imagery
chris@glowimagery.com