Qualified Bristol Wedding PhotographerQuestions to ask your photographer
I often meet with couples to chat about their wedding day, and many aren’t sure what questions to ask. It’s not a big deal for me—I usually cover all the important details and answer most of their questions during our conversation. But I do think that if couples knew the right questions to ask, it could really help make their decisions a little easier and less overwhelming.
For anyone who is wondering what they should, or might want to ask, here's a list of some great questions. Choosing the right photographer is a crucial part of every wedding. Those photos are going to follow you through your life, so you should spend a bit of time thinking about who’s going to be taking them.
You can see my answers to the questions by selecting the [ My Answer ] button, found below each question.
Are they free on the day of your wedding?
Are they able to accommodate your particular requirements?
Decide beforehand whether you want just want photography, or if you're also looking for video or drone photography. Most photographers will say on their website whether they can provide that.
If you're thinking about having a photo booth, it’s worth asking your photographer if they offer one. If not, no worries—there are plenty of other entertainment suppliers who can provide one for you!
Also, think about whether you'll need one or two photographers. Some photographers suggest having two if you're expecting 150 guests or more.
Will they be the one photographing your wedding?
You don’t want to end up with a stranger on the day! Some larger agencies will send any old photographer to capture your special day.
If you want a very particular style, make sure you’re getting the photographer that you want. Ideally, the person you speak to should be the person photographing your wedding.
Do their prices include VAT?
Always worth checking that the price isn’t suddenly going to go up.
How many hours will they cover your wedding for?
What is their payment schedule?
How much is the deposit and when is the balance due?
It’s also worth asking about cancellation fees, even though you don’t want to consider that possibility!
Have they shot a wedding at your venue before?
If you’re going for a photographer that’s local to your venue, it’s always worth asking if they’ve shot there before.
If so, they can probably show you pictures of a previous wedding they did there, and they probably have some ideas for the best places to grab pictures. You can also ask them for some advice on the venue – what has worked well at previous weddings there? Is there anything that the photographer would recommend?
What food/refreshments will the photographer need on the day?
Yes, you’ll probably need to feed them. Check with the photographer about what is the best way to manage this.
When will the photos be ready?
They won’t be able to give you an exact date, but you don’t want to have to wait two months for your wedding photos.
Do they send you the high-res photos?
You’ll probably want to display some pictures. Some photographers will send you only the low-res photos as part of the package, but will charge extra for high-res images. Whereas some photographers will supply all the high-res images within their packages.
Low-res images are fine for social media, but if you want to get any printed or framed, they’ll need to be high-res.
What sort of wedding albums do they produce?
Most photographers do wedding albums – some within their packages, some at an additional cost.
Albums can get quite pricey, so it’s worth asking about prices and album quality before you sign any contracts. Do they have any finished example? You should also clarify that you will get final approval of the album design before it is printed.
What does he/she recommend for photos?
They’re the expert – ask them what time of day is best for outdoor photos, when’s the best time to squeeze in the massive group shot, how long the couple photos will take, and anything else you’re curious about.
Their advice will help you sort out the timings for the day, and allow you to build in any time you’ll need to sneak off for extra photos.
How do you handle low-light situations?
Weddings often include dimly lit venues (churches, reception halls), so it's important to know they can handle these conditions.
Do you have liability insurance?
This is important for your venue and provides peace of mind in case of any issues on the day.