It’s no surprise that planning a wedding can be a bit overwhelming but hiring a photographer shouldn’t be! I’ve come up with a list of my top 4 questions you’ll want to ask your potential wedding photographer. If you’re able to, meet with all the photographers you are considering in person for a consultation. There’s no better way to determine if he or she is a good fit for your wedding needs then to actually sit down and talk to them face-to-face to learn about their services. At the very least, have a phone conversation. Here are 4 questions to ask!

How many weddings have you shot & how many do you do a year?

Experience is key when it comes to shooting a wedding. Every photographer has to start somewhere, but that’s usually working as an assistant or a “second” photographer for another more established photographer. Hiring a wedding photographer who is unexperienced could result in potential disaster, not only for the end result but also when it comes to the timeline for the day. An experienced wedding photographer will plan ahead so you can rest assured your portraits and family formals are done in the least amount of time possible and no photo is missed.

The amount of weddings a photographer shoots in a year is also important. If your photographer is shooting double weddings every single weekend, you may not be getting the personal attention and timeliness you deserve.

What exactly is included in my package?

At your consultation appointment (whether it be in-person or on the phone), you should discuss exactly what is included in your desired package and what the cost is. You’ll want to know if your package includes an engagement session (with or without digitals included), second photographer, the number of hours of coverage, if any prints or albums are included, etc. You’ll also want to make sure that your potential wedding photographer is the actual photographer who will be photographing your wedding the day of and not an associate.

Have you ever shot at my wedding venue before?

It’s not essential, but it’s an added bonus if your wedding photographer has shot at your venue before. If they already know the ins and outs of a venue, it makes things super easy. They’ll already know all the great spots for photos. If they haven’t, they might be willing to visit the venue prior to your wedding to scope it out and help ensure things will run smoothly on your wedding day.

What happens if you’re sick or an emergency comes up and you can’t photograph my wedding?

This is such an important question to ask!!! Any professional photographer will have a backup plan for your wedding in case they fall ill or encounter an emergency. If something were to happen to me, I will take all the steps necessary to secure a quality replacement.

After you’ve had a chance to sit down (or speak with) a photographer, the most important thing to consider is if you had a connection with that person and could you see them photographing one of the most important days in your lives. If a photographer looks good on paper and you like their work but you didn’t have a connection with them, you most likely will not get the results you are looking for. A connection will help you feel comfortable in front of the camera which results in more natural and relaxed images. Good luck in your search for a photographer!

Still searching for a photographer you connect with? I’d love to chat to see if we’re a good fit! Inquire here