So you're engaged and on Cloud 9! As you begin collecting ideas and inspiration for your perfect wedding, you begin to feel overwhelmed and start to wonder, "How the heck am I supposed to choose a wedding photographer?!" There are hundreds of photographers in Colorado, each with their own unique style and personality, pricing, and service. And let's face it - you've likely never planned a wedding before and simply have no idea where to start or what questions to ask!
You don't know
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW
This article is here to help! If you're meeting with a wedding photographer, your goal should be two-fold: 1) you want to learn about their services and style, and 2) you want to get to know them. You'll spend the majority of your wedding day together, so understanding their personality is crucial.
In addition to the more "business-related" questions, I suggest you add a few more to the list to ensure you love the artist as much as you love their portfolio.
Why did you become a wedding photographer?
What's your favorite part of a wedding day?
How do you spend your free time?
How do you describe your personality?
The answers to these questions can provide wildly defining insight into the person who will be documenting your wedding day!
Here are the most important questions to ask a potential wedding photographer. This list may seem long, but don't stress! During a consultation, many of these questions will be answered naturally in the conversation. It's a great idea to have these questions ready and take notes.
Be sure to click the image below to download a printable PDF list of questions
or pin to Pinterest for later on!
How do you describe your photography style?
This should be a given, but if you aren't clear what their style is, ASK! Hearing them explain their approach and technique can provide valuable information to help you make the best decision. Photographers may describe their style as traditional, photojournalistic, editorial, or fine art.
My answer: My photography approach is naturally guided, with a blend of traditional and photojournalistic styles. I'd say it's a 60 / 40 mix (guided posing vs candid). I provide each couple with the direction and gentle posing as needed for the best, most natural result. I'm very hands-on and am often making small adjustments (re-locating, repositioning, etc) to enhance a photo. I'm also anticipating moments and emotions to capture throughout the day with a storytelling approach in mind.
Can we see a full wedding gallery?
This is essential. Yes, you absolutely should ask to view a fully delivered gallery from a recent wedding! This allows you to see their work over an entire day, not just the highlights or "best-of" photos. Pay attention to image variety. Do they deliver a mix of closeup & wide shots? Are the details captured creatively or sort of as an afterthought? What emotions were captured? Are their low-light images crisp or grainy? Reviewing multiple full wedding galleries is a great way to see the best and worst of a wedding day. If the photographer is not willing to share a gallery, this might be a red flag.
My answer: When you inquire with me, I will send 2-3 wedding galleries for you to view. These are real galleries delivered to my couples and showcase how I photograph an entire wedding. From the getting ready details to bridal portraits and first look, through the ceremony, family photos, cocktail hour, and reception, you can review the above questions and decide if you like what you see.
How many photos will I receive?
There's no right or wrong answer to this question. Many photographers promise a number of total photos or an amount of photos per hour of coverage. I've seen anywhere from 50 photos per hour of coverage up to 1500 photos for an 8-hour wedding day.
My answer: I typically deliver 75-100 photos per hour of coverage. This can vary depending on the size of the event, how large the wedding party and guest count are, how many details are included, the decor, and other factors. I don't limit the number of photos I deliver.
How long does it take to receive our images?
A delivery time of 4-8 weeks is pretty standard in the wedding photography industry. Be sure to ask about a sneak peek too! Some photographers share a few images on social media or privately through email; some don't. Again, there's no right or wrong answer here, but you want to make sure you know what to expect.
My answer: Your full wedding gallery is delivered in 4 weeks from your wedding date. Occasionally, I need a week longer if I'm traveling but this will be discussed prior to your wedding. I also post a sneak peek preview of 30-40 images on my Facebook page the next day, so you can enjoy a few highlights while you are still glowing!
Do you include a second shooter?
It's common for wedding photographers to hire a second photographer to help capture a wedding day. For smaller weddings, a second shooter may not be needed, but for larger weddings (50+ guests), most photographers will provide a second shooter in their packages.
My answer: Yes, along with an assistant! I feel strongly that having a second photographer is key to fully capturing a wedding. I specialize in large Colorado weddings, and with so many moving parts, it's important to have another photographer documenting the parts of the day that I simply can't. For example, while the bride is getting ready, I will be photographing the bridal details - invitations, rings, vow cards, shoes, dress, jewelry. My second shooter can be present with the groom and the groomsmen to photograph his details and the candid moments before the ceremony. Another great example is after the ceremony, many times we'll be taking bride & groom sunset photos during the guest cocktail hour--my second photographer can focus on the smiles, joy, and fun moments of your guests! My second shooters are always professional photographers and not just there to "portfolio build" in hopes they get useable content. They are there solely to serve my couples and capture their special moments.
What's your backup system for files and gear?
We jokingly say that backups are a wedding photographer's best friend. Having redundant systems in place is crucial, as it's not a matter of if something will go wrong, it's a matter of when. Make sure you understand their backup workflows, systems, and gear. A professional wedding photographer will have a long list of backups and file management to ensure your photos aren't lost!
My answer: My list of backup systems is comprehensive! From the wedding day itself--shooting on two cameras that each record images to two separate memory cards--to file management when I get home--copying all files on the memory cards to two external hard drives--to cloud storage and final delivery of the photos, I make sure that I'm prepared in the event of gear or tech failure. I also bring backup flashes, batteries, wireless triggers, multiple lenses, light stands, umbrellas, hand warmers... practically a small hardware store of tools for "just in case!"
What happens if the timeline or schedule changes on the wedding day?
You will want to know how a photographer handles last-minute changes, especially during a fast-paced wedding day. Often, the day will not proceed exactly as planned and photographers have to be flexible and pivot to make up lost time and ensure you aren't delaying other wedding day events.
My answer: Take the pressure off of yourself now and understand that things may shift or run late. That's okay! While I love an iron-clad timeline, I'm very flexible and understand that wedding days can be fluid. We will adjust while still allowing for all the photos you want.
How do you use flash?
One of the stylistic differences between photographers is their use of light. Many photographers consider themselves "natural light" photographers, while others have a style heavily influenced by artificial light. While natural light is beautiful and ideal, your wedding photographer should be well-equipped and comfortable to take photos in all lighting situations.
My answer: I use flash extensively for indoor or dark spaces, evening and nighttime photos, and creative ideas. Part of my brand and consistent style is the use of off-camera flash and color. The efficient use of flash allows for clean, high-quality photos even in near darkness!
How do you handle photo editing and retouching?
This is a great question, as it addresses how much editing a photographer does on your images. Most Millennials think of "filters" when they think of photo editing and, honestly, most of them likely don't know what the term "retouching" means (it goes back to the days of film!). Editing is simply the process of taking the raw file that the camera recorded and adjusting it for color, exposure (how bright or dark it is), white balance, and overall composition. It can also include "retouching," which is more of the detail side of editing--skintone, blemishes, wrinkles, and so on. Some photographers apply a "preset" on their photos that automatically adjusts color, exposure, and white balance, while others hand-edit each photo for consistency. Some photographers do more detailed editing to remove imperfections and blemishes, smooth wrinkles, reduce double chins, while others use AI to add or remove photo elements.
My answer: I do a mix of preset and hand-editing. What that means is I apply a standard set of adjustments to each image (contrast, white balance, specific color tones, etc) and then go through each photo to hand edit for detail (sky, skintone, removing distractions or wrinkles, etc). I'm a firm believer that the camera adds pounds to everyone, so I make sure that the final image is a reflection of your best. That includes subtle adjustments of clothing lumps, wrinkles, chins, and more as needed. I want the final result to be refined, polished, and naturally beautiful.
Do you have other vendor recommendations?
There's no right or wrong answer to this question. Many photographers prefer to work with vendors they know and trust. Often, photographers have a list of vendors as an "exclusivity" element for their business and only share the list with their booked clients. Having a list of trustworthy vendors can be a great value!
My answer: I do have a list of vendors I've worked with and thoroughly trust. This includes florists, planners / coordinators, DJs, and video. Of course, there are many great vendors whom I haven't worked with yet, so my list is simply from my experience!
Have you photographed at our venue before?
This question gets tossed around in social media groups a lot! I can understand from a couple's perspective the desire for a wedding vendor to be familiar with a particular venue or location, especially if that location is spread out or there are logistics to consider (i.e., ski resorts with a lift ride to the top of the mountain). I believe there is no correct answer! A seasoned wedding photographer should be able to quickly adapt to a new location and changing conditions.
My answer: After more than a decade of experience, I am confident in my ability to step into any situation at any location and quickly be able to learn the light, scout the best locations for pictures, and adjust as needed. I also find that it's fun and uniquely challenging to shoot at a new venue with fresh inspiration and opportunities!
What happens if you are sick or in an emergency?
This is a crucial and difficult question! You will want to know how your photographer handles emergencies in case they cannot shoot your wedding. Most photographers will try to find a replacement to associate-shoot your event, but knowing how their contract is set up is also great information so you know what to expect.
My answer: This is an important and difficult question. In 11 years of weddings, I've experienced 2 situations in which I wasn't able to photograph a wedding. I have a contractual (and personal) obligation to find a suitable replacement to photograph your event. I believe in transparency, so I'll explain: in the summer of 2021, my dad's health declined quickly as he was 93 years old. We knew his time was short and had spent a lot of time visiting him. The day before he passed, I was booked for a wedding but emotionally was not in a place to provide the couple my best. I had another professional photographer step in to shoot for me, and it turned out that my dad passed the next morning. The second situation was during the summer of 2022, when our beloved cat, Luna, was fighting lymphoma. We had to make the hard choice to say goodbye and spent the day before she passed loving and snuggling her fiercely. Again, I wasn't in a good place and knew I couldn't serve my couple so I had another photographer step in to cover their wedding day. All turned out well, but I will add this: it's incredibly difficult for me to pass the reins to someone else for my couples! But we are human and life continues to happen, good and bad. My goal is to serve my couples in every way possible even when life throws lemons.
Are you insured?
A professional wedding photographer should carry liability insurance. There are two types of liability insurance: General Liability and Professional Liability Insurance. These can protect photographers from third-party bodily injury (if a client gets injured while on a shoot), property damage, and contract breaches from both parties.
My answer: Yes, I carry both policies along with gear insurance to protect my equipment from damage. I'm happy to provide policy details if requested.
Can we create a shot list?
Knowing how a photographer handles the ever-popular Pinterest "must-have" lists is something you want to be aware of before you book them. Newer photographers may want a shot list to work from, while seasoned wedding photographers won't need one to cover your wedding day fully.
My answer: While I do work from a family formal shot list, I don't work with extensive photo shot lists. I strongly believe that shot lists hamper creativity as my time would be spent desperately trying to check off photos on the list and not paying as much attention to the authentic moments happening during the day. I'm experienced enough that you don't have to worry about making sure I get photos of the cake table, or the rings, or the first kiss. To help bridge the gap between shot lists and reality, I include a Top 5 Photos list as part of my final photography questionnaire, which is completed 30 days before your wedding. It's a great way to let me know what the most important photos of the day are for you without distracting me from real moments as they unfold.
Do we need to provide you with a meal?
This question can be a bit of a hot button! There are divided opinions regarding whether or not couples should be responsible for feeding their vendors. Look at it this way: many vendors work 8, 10, or even 12+ hours on your wedding day. Packing food to bring can be a logistical nightmare, so providing your vendors a warm meal to look foward to (and a short 15-20 minute break!) keeps them cared-for and doing their best quality work!
My answer: I have a contract clause that states for any event of 6 hours or more, a hot meal is required to be provided to myself and any assistant present with me. This honestly has less to do with the contract and more to do with keeping my energy and creativity up! Wedding days are grueling and knowing I have a hot meal coming keeps me pumped and energetic for your day.
Can you provide a list of references?
I feel like this question isn't asked enough! In the rest of the world, a person is typically asked for a list of references during a job interview. It's a way for the employer to learn more about the applicant from a different perspective.
My answer: Heck yes, I'm happy to provide a list of former wedding couples as references! Reading reviews on Google, Facebook, and WeddingWire is a good place to start, but hearing a first-hand account of a real couple's experience carries a lot of weight.
What's the final price? And what's included?
Be sure to confirm the final package price, what's included, any additional fees (like sales tax, travel fees, etc.), and the amount due as a retainer so that there are no surprises on the contract or invoice.
My answer: During our consultation, we'll discuss packages and pricing, timeline coverage for your specific event, and everything that's included in the package. I include sales tax on your digital photo gallery in the package price, so there are no hidden fees or extras. The prices of my packages are the price you'll pay.
Is it okay for guests to take pictures at my wedding?
This is another hotly-debated topic amongst couples and photographers. Many couples will opt to have a phone-free ceremony, asking their guests to put away phones and distractions. You could have your officiant announce a 1-minute photo op at the beginning of your ceremony, allowing guests to grab their phones and take a photo of the happy couple so that they feel satisfied. It's a perfect way to balance their desire for taking photos and your desire for a phone-free ceremony!
My answer: Yes, your guests are very welcome to take their own phone or camera pictures at your wedding! I just ask they remain out of my way (especially during the processional down the aisle!) so that they aren't blocking my view. And let's face it: you probably don't want a bunch of cell phones in your photos anyway!
Are there any location or travel fees?
Many photographers price their services by location or distance from home. They may include travel up to 2 hours from their city, or add on travel fees to cover longer distances. It's good to know ahead of time what to expect and how much it will cost.
My answer: I don't add any cost for multiple locations, and I don't charge travel fees for weddings of 6+ hours in Colorado.
How long have you been a wedding photographer?
This is more of a fun question, but it can help aid your photography search. While the length of time as a wedding photographer doesn't always equate to quality or expertise, it can give you a glimpse into their experience and overall knowledge of the industry.
My answer: I've been photographing weddings full-time for 11 years! I began my career in photography in 2014 and had the opportunity to be a second shooter for a few weddings that summer. The following year, I booked a handful of my own couples and the rest is history! I've photographed almost 200 weddings and have extensive experience with dozens of venues, mountain locations, low-light and indoor spaces, and all sizes of events.
Do we get the copyright to our photos? What's your policy on sharing our photos on your website and social media?
As per U.S. Copyright laws, the photographer retains copyright to the photos they take. However, most photographers provide a "print release" or "print rights" to their clients as a way to allow the client to use and print the photos of their event however they want. This print release is usually for personal use only, not commercial use (billboards, website, promotions) without written approval from the photographer. Most photographers use photos they've taken as promotional material for social media and their website, unless specifically requested not to by the client.
My answer: You will receive a PDF print release, allowing personal use of your photos however you like! This includes sharing on social media, sharing directly with friends and family, and printing your photos. I share a handful of photos on my Facebook and Instagram accounts for promotion, along with my website. If you would prefer your images not to be shared publicly, I'm happy to oblige! This is often the case for military members, police, and other high-profile individuals.
What's your reschedule / cancellation policy?
This is not a fun topic, but asking your photographer about their rescheduling and cancellation policy in case something happens and you have to change wedding dates or cancel entirely, is critical. While we don't think it'll happen to us, sadly it's more common than it seems. Many photographers will offer a credit or transfer of the retainer amount to a new date, but some won't allow date changes unless a whole new package is purchased (and the retainer is forfeit).
My answer: My contract allows for a date change, provided I'm available for the new date. The retainer can be transferred to the new date. If you cancel the wedding completely, you forfeit the retainer paid. This retainer acts as an opportunity cost for taking your date "off the market," so to speak: I cannot book any other clients that day so it's meant to secure the date exclusively for you.
How do you handle a rowdy bridal party?
Again, this question provides insight into the photographer's personality and demeanor. There's no right or wrong answer. Only you can determine what type of person you want, personality-wise, photographing your wedding day. However, keep in mind that a photographer who is more mellow or quiet may not be able to direct or efficiently wrangle a large wedding party.
My answer: I match the wedding party's energy and keep the group focused while having fun! I can be a drill sergeant when needed (if their personalities allow!) but also their best friend. I'm usually silly and over-the-top during wedding party photos, and make the process quick and easy. Check out this wedding at Pelican Lakes in Windsor, where there were 12 bridesmaids & 12 groomsmen! We had a blast!
What are our options for albums and printed products?
Some photographers offer wedding albums with certain packages, while others simply the products a la carte. You can discuss pricing with the photographer so that you know what to expect when it comes time to decorate your home!
My answer: When you receive your gallery of photos, you have the option to shop prints and products from selected professional labs. This includes prints (4x6, 5x7, etc), canvas wraps, metal prints, framed prints, albums, greeting cards, calendars, and more. You can Design Your Own album with a drag n' drop feature through the gallery, or I can custom-design an album for you.
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