Congratulations on your engagement! Now that you’re diving into wedding planning, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make is choosing the right photographer. Your wedding photos will be cherished for years to come, so you’ll want to be sure to find a photographer whose style and approach align with your vision. As a Seattle wedding photographer, I’ve helped hundreds of couples navigate the wedding photography planning process. To help you out with this, here are 12 questions I recommend asking when interviewing potential wedding photographers.

1. Can we see some of your full wedding galleries?

Let’s start with the MOST important question right off the bat. PLEASE make sure to take a look at full galleries of any photographers you are considering. The images you see on a photographer’s Instagram or portfolio represent the only best of the best. Seeing a full gallery will give you a much better sense of their consistency and storytelling ability throughout an entire wedding day. Your wedding photos aren’t just about individual standout shots; they’re about weaving together a cohesive narrative that reflects the love, emotions, and memories of your day. By asking to see full galleries, you’re taking a proactive step in ensuring that your photographer can deliver a collection of images that truly encapsulates the magic of your day and matches your vision for your wedding photos.

2. Do you have backup equipment in case of technical failures, and how will you keep our images safe?

Technical glitches can happen, but a prepared photographer will have backup gear to ensure that nothing disrupts capturing your important moments. Make sure your photographer uses dual card slots (so your images are immediately backed up in-camera) and brings multiple cameras. You’ll also want to make sure your photographer has a solid plan for keeping your images safe after the wedding, so ask about their backup procedures and storage solutions.

3. Can you help us with our wedding day timeline?

You’ll want to have a basic timeline in place in order to know how many hours of photography coverage you’ll need. Your photographer should be able to whip up a timeline for you in just a couple minutes by asking you a few questions about your day.

4. What happens if there is an emergency, and you can’t be at our wedding?

While it’s a scenario no one wants to think about, it’s essential to know how your photographer will handle emergencies. Ask about their contingency plans and whether they have a network of trusted colleagues who can step in if needed.

5. What is your overall approach to photographing a wedding day?

Understanding a photographer’s approach will help you gauge if it aligns with your preferences. Whether they prefer a photojournalistic style, a more traditional approach with posed shots, or something in between, make sure it resonates with your vision.

6. Are you experienced with all different lighting conditions?

Lighting can make or break a photo, especially on a wedding day where lighting conditions can vary widely. Ask about their experience with different lighting setups and how they adapt to ensure your photos look stunning regardless of the environment.

7. How do you handle family portraits and group shots?

Family portraits are a significant part of a wedding album. Make sure your photographer has experience orchestrating group shots efficiently, so you can spend less time posing and more time celebrating.

8. Should we add on a 2nd photographer?

A second photographer can offer several benefits, including capturing different angles and perspectives simultaneously, providing additional coverage of important moments, and allowing for more comprehensive documentation, especially in larger weddings or venues with multiple locations. Discussing this option with your primary photographer can help determine if it’s necessary based on your specific wedding needs and preferences.

9. Do you have experience working at our venue?

This is probably the most commonly asked question, but you might be surprised to hear that it’s really not that big of a deal! I’m including it because I think it’s important to talk about WHY you don’t need to stress about this question! A photographer’s ability to adapt to different environments and lighting conditions is far more critical than venue-specific experience. For example, one of the most important aspects of creating beautiful images is the lighting, so even if your photographer has worked at your venue before, the lighting on your wedding day might be completely different. Hiring a photographer who hasn’t worked at your venue previously can actually bring a fresh perspective to your wedding photos. Are there scenarios where it’s advantageous to have a photographer who has worked at your venue? Sure. Is it a deal-breaker? Definitely not.

10. What is your approach to editing our photos?

Make sure your photographer’s editing style aligns with your preferences. Some photographers edit images to have a dark/moody feel, some edit for a light/airy look, and some prefer true-to-life colors. Some may offer extensive retouching, while others prefer a more natural style.

11. Can you recommend other vendors for our wedding?

Photographers are great people to ask for vendor recommendations! Some wedding vendors like videographers and hair/makeup artists can have an impact on your photography, so don’t be afraid to ask your photographer for their thoughts!

12. Are there any questions we haven’t asked, but should?

This question opens the floor for your photographer to address any concerns or aspects you might have overlooked and ensures that nothing essential gets left out.

By asking these questions and having open communication, you’ll be one step closer to finding the perfect photographer. I hope this helps! Happy wedding planning!