7 questions you should always ask your wedding photographer…

Hi there! Long time, no talk, and I am SORRY. Life has been so busy.

Anyway, before I get into my curated questions that I love to hear as a wedding photographer, remember that you are hiring each wedding vendor for a job. Interviews are always a part of the hiring process, so having questions isn’t just recommended - it’s required. It shows your potential vendor you are taking this choice seriously, and it allows them to get a sense of who you are and what matters most to you. If I have learned anything in the last 3 years doing weddings, it’s that your wedding photographer shouldn’t be the only one getting to know you! You are the most important part of this story, and if you’re not happy - no one is.

So…if you just read that, and you’re thinking, “Great, Chayil. But what questions do I even ask to begin with?”

OpenAI might be a great resource for something like this, but so is ya girl. Keep reading for my 7 questions you should ask your wedding photographer!

• How did you get into photography?

  This may seem kinda unexpected, but the right photographer will want to talk about their work and passion. They will want to tell you how they reached this point in their career and also what brought them into weddings in the first place. Pay attention to how a wedding photographer responds. Depending on who they are, you will find out if being a part of your wedding day is for lucrative gain or personal fulfillment. We want the latter!

• Who is your ideal client?

  In any industry, you will often hear that discovering who you would like your ideal client to be is the first step into building your business. However, this goes for you as the client as well.

  Hearing who your potential photographer’s ideal client is will save you a lot of time in making sure you make the right choice. You may love a photographer’s style, but their personality is almost just as important. If you don’t feel comfortable in your wedding photos, it will show. Trust me, this is an investment not to cut corners on. When your photographer describes who their ideal client is, you should say, “Yes, yes and MORE YES.”

• How comfortable are you in low-light settings?

  This is for my indoor wedding baddies. And I won’t lie - I love natural light so much. Like highly obsessed with it. BUT the nature of wedding photography requires immense amounts of flexibility. Does your photographer use off-camera flash? Are they skilled in their use of off-camera flash, and are they okay shooting with it for your day?

  Pro Tip: Say OCF if you really wanna sound like you know what you’re talking about.

• What well-known wedding photographers inspire your work?

  THIS ONE. One you may not think to ask, but one that is imperative. For those of us in the photography community, we love to follow other members of our field who are doing the dang thing. Asking who these photographers are and for their social media information can give you a look into the type of photography that inspires your wedding photographer. Each photographer’s style is uniquely their own, but a proficient photographer builds up and learns from others in their community as well.

• What is your approach in editing? Do you do a lot of photoshopping?

  To be so candid:

  I do not and will not edit your body (a lot).

  If you have a giant zit in the center of your forehead, rest assured that it will be removed in your final gallery. My art is an expression of what does not need any changing at all, and that is YOU. I will never impose or project what I believe to be an insecurity onto your photos. That being said, please let me know if there is something that you would like me to edit, and I can definitely try my best to match your vision!

• Is our date in high demand on your schedule?

  I didn’t go to school for business, but there is something to be said for being an informed consumer. Wedding photographers are some of the first vendors to be selected for a wedding, and they are usually booked up to 1-2 years in advance. If you have your eyes set on a specific photographer, knowing what dates are filling up quickly for them may help in knowing how soon you need to make a decision.

• Can we see a sample gallery?

  THE ANSWER SHOULD ALWAYS BE YES. Portfolios are great in allowing you to see an artist’s work for the first time. But, when all is said is done, you’re not paying for a portfolio. You’re paying for a gallery (and then some). Asking for a sample gallery is a great way to manage your expectations when choosing a wedding photographer.