Picking a wedding photographer is no easy task. It requires a lot of upfront research on your end, but putting in the effort and doing it the right way is essential to helping you get the best wedding photos.
A great way to start is to ask around. People love to give their recommendations and experiences (good and bad), helping you narrow down and weed out. Use those recommendations to visit photographer websites and social media.
Remember, you want to pick a photographer that has a public portfolio with photos that impress you and feature a style you like. Once you have a few good prospects and you’re ready to start learning more, here are six questions to keep in mind or ask when choosing a wedding photographer.
1. Are there any specials for booking both engagement and wedding sessions?
Some photographers will offer a discount when you book both sessions at the same time. It’s a great way to keep your budget in check and there are a lot of great reasons to use the same photographer for your engagement and wedding photos.
2. How long after the session can we expect to receive our edited photos?
Every photographer has their own timeline for returning edited photos, and it’s best to know up front when you can expect to receive yours. If the photographer is asking you to sign a contract, check to see if there’s a line item that promises the return of edited wedding photos by a certain date. It’s normal to get antsy after your wedding, hoping to get your photos back as soon as possible. However, knowing exactly when you can expect to receive your photos can help you stay patient, give you a sense of relief and keep you from reaching out to your photographer prematurely. There’s nothing worse than waiting a year for your photos when you assumed you would get them back in a couple months. It happens a lot, so it’s best to know up front.
3. Do you shoot with a partner?
A wedding photographer that shoots with a partner is like icing on the cake. With two active cameras, you have double the chance of getting more candid reactions, more unique angles, and can help streamline family and portrait photo sessions on your wedding day, getting you to your reception quicker. And, you’ll have more wedding photo options to choose from. Just make sure you’re aware of any extra fees that may be added on if you want a second photographer.
4. How many hours of wedding day coverage do you offer?
Some photographers design their wedding packages around how many hours of coverage they will offer to provide various options for a bride to choose from. However, if that information isn’t available up front, make sure you ask how many hours of coverage your photographer will offer on your wedding day. It’s important to design your wedding timeline around the hours of coverage offered to ensure your photographer is available for all the top wedding moments you want lasting memories of. Photos taken at the wedding “send-off” often end up being some of the best shots, so you’ll want to make sure the photographer will cover through the end of the wedding celebration. Otherwise you’ll end up with no professional photos of your send-off or you’ll end up paying extra fees for additional hours of coverage.
5. What’s included in each wedding package?
It’s important to know exactly what’s included in each wedding package to help you make the best choice. For example, find out if there’s a limited number of photos you will have to choose from, and if there are any special prints that come with each package. Some photographers may even offer special add-ons like a second day photoshoot to get even more portrait photos of the bride and groom with various on-site locations.
6. Do you customize your wedding packages?
Oftentimes, wedding photographers will offer standard wedding packages that brides can choose from. However, some professionals are willing to customize a wedding package upon request. For example, you may need extra hours of coverage or would like to have that second day photoshoot for portraits at different locations. It never hurts to ask, especially if you have a specific request.