Top Ten Questions To Ask When Shopping For A Wedding Photographer

We’ve assembled a “Top Ten” list of the most important questions that you should ask prospective wedding photographers to help you make your final decision.

#1 Samples: Do you have samples of your work that I can look at? Do you have a complete wedding album like we will receive that shows us a wedding from start to finish? Can I see a sample from the photographer who will be photographing my wedding?

#2 Image Preservation: What steps do you take to protect my wedding images and how long do you archive them? Can I come back in a few years and get more photographs or replace my album if something happens to it?

#3 Equipment: Do you use professional quality cameras capable of capturing images in all lighting conditions, or do you use consumer level cameras? Do you have backup equipment? Do you bring studio quality lighting equipment if needed or do you just use available light. Can I have black-and-white photographs and color photographs?

#4 Collaboration: Do you work with an assistant photographer? What is the process for viewing, selecting and editing the final images for the album?

#5 Deliverables: In what format do you deliver the original images? What is included in the price of each package that you offer? What additional products are available and how much extra are these items?

#6 Time: When will the images be ready to view after my wedding? How long will it take for delivery of my album and/or printed products?

#7 Quality: Do you print the photos yourself or do you use a professional lab? Are the images guaranteed against fading?

#8 Style: What is your photographic style? Are you a traditional, photojournalistic, fine art, or do you offer a mixed style? How many locations will you shoot at on the day of the wedding?

#9 Experience: How long have you been photographing weddings? How many weddings have you photographed. What professional organizations do you belong to? How many awards have you won for your wedding photography?

#10 Assurances: How do you ensure my satisfaction? Do you offer a money back guarantee? What are your backup plans in the event that you are not able to photograph my wedding? What happens if your equipment fails? Do you carry liability insurance? Can I get all of the points we’ve discussed in a written contractual agreement?

Do not take “no” for an answer to question #10! Without a money-back guarantee, you are taking ALL the risk. A written contract signed by all parties is an absolute MUST. It protects you and the photographer, and does more to ensure your satisfaction than any other decision you can make.