What questions should you ask your wedding photographer?

When it comes to capturing the essence of your wedding day, choosing the right photographer is paramount. Your wedding photographs will serve as timeless memories of one of the most significant days of your life, and thus, it’s crucial to ensure that you entrust this responsibility to a skilled professional who understands your vision and can bring it to life. By asking your wedding photographer a series of thoughtful questions, you not only gain insight into their style, experience, and expertise but also establish a clear line of communication to convey your preferences and expectations.

To help you out if you are due to meet your photographer soon, here are in my opinion the top 20 questions you should ask:

1. What is your photography style?
2. Can I see a portfolio of your previous wedding work?
3. How many weddings have you shot?
4. Do you have experience shooting weddings at my venue?
5. Will you be the photographer at my wedding, or do you work with a team?
6. What packages do you offer, and what is included in each package?
7. Can I customize a package to fit my specific needs?
8. How many hours of coverage are included in each package?
9. Do you have backup equipment in case of technical issues?
10. What is your approach to capturing candid moments?
11. How do you handle low-light situations?
12. Will you be able to accommodate any special requests or specific shots I have in mind?
13. How long after the wedding will I receive the final edited photos?
14. How many photos can I expect to receive?
15. Do you offer albums or prints as part of your packages?
16. Do you have liability insurance?
17. What is your cancellation policy?
18. Will you need any assistance or direction from us on the day of the wedding?
19. Can you provide references from past clients?
20. How do you handle image rights and usage?

These questions should help you get a good sense of the photographer’s style, experience, and professionalism, ensuring you choose the right photographer for your special day. Below are my own answers to these questions. (Scroll down to see my own answers)

What is your photography style?

Firstly why would you ask this question? Well if you are just starting out on your research you will come across so many amazing photos taken by some really talented photographers. Take a note of the photos that you are really drawn to and what it is you like about them. Do you like the natural, unposed shots that appear to be just caught in the moment? Do you like the dramatic photos, where lighting, location and poses are key factors in what makes the image appeal to you? Do you like black & white? Do you like formal? Funny? All of these considerations will help you to get a better idea of what style you like and therefore can narrow down your shortlist of potential photographers. As for my own style I would say that in the main, it would be natural, candid and unobtrusive. I am a big believer that if you hire me to capture your wedding day, that is exactly what I will do. The photos you will receive will be a true reflection of your wedding day as it happened and not a massive photoshoot where the photographer dominated the flow and vibe of your special day. Of course there are some parts of the day that will require a little more managing and direction from the photographer (The formal group shots for example, or a little bit of direction to help the bride & groom with their own photoshoot on the day). But in general my goal is to capture stunning images throughout the day with as little interference from myself and let you spend as much time with your guests as you wish.

Can I see a portfolio of your previous wedding work?

Of course. In this day and age most photographers would have an online presence be it a website, Instagram, or Facebook. I can be found on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mcgreevybarry/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ReflectionsphotographyIreland and of course on my website at https://www.reflectionsphotography.ie I also carry a range of albums showing full real wedding days which will give you an idea of how I would shoot your own wedding. If you would like to see images from a particular venue or part of the day I can provide this also.

How many weddings have you shot?

This is a good question to ask to gauge how much experience the photographer may have. It would be difficult to put an exact figure on how many weddings a photographer would shoot per year as there would be different factors at play here. Some of the higher end photographers might only take on as little as 10 – 20 weddings per year as they are charging so much. Other photographers may be operating on a part time basis and so would not have the same availability as a full time wedding photographer (I am full time). This should not be a reflection on the quality of their work though. There are some ridiculously good part time photographers out there who choose to remain part time for their own valid reasons. Then there are photographers who could be shooting upwards of 50 weddings per year. Again it would be unfair to pigeon hole these photographers but in general these would be at the lower end of the price range (though not necessarily quality) or they may only provide a limited service. Myself, I have been photographing weddings since 2012 and would shoot on average 30-40 weddings per year.

Do you have experience shooting weddings at my venue?

Based in Drogheda I would be familiar with all wedding venues in the surrounding area and most venues in general within a two hour drive from base. However if you were getting married at a venue that I hadn’t previously worked at, or it had been a few years since I was there last, I would take a trip out to that venue just to familiarise myself with all the best photo opportunities there both inside and outside.

Will you be the photographer at my wedding, or do you work with a team?

Yes. If you book me to shoot your wedding it will be myself who will take all photos on the day. In general I tend to work on my own, however there is always the option to upgrade to have a second photographer on the day. This can be a huge benefit particularly if both bride and groom preps are required. It also allows us to get different angles of shots which otherwise the primary photographer would not be able to capture and of course having a second photographer with me at bigger weddings means we can get more candid shots!

What packages do you offer, and what is included in each package?

Another very good question to ask! Not everyone wants the full works and so to that end I carry a range of packages to cover all requirements and all budgets, starting from my Mini Wedding Package which covers shooting the ceremony plus up to two hours immediately after that, right up to the full day package from preps up to the first dance.

Can I customize a package to fit my specific needs?

Yes. I understand that your wedding is unique to you and while my range of packages will cover most general requirements if there is something specific that you require or if there is something missing from one of my standard packages or something needs to be tweaked in any way I can accommodate this.

How many hours of coverage are included in each package?

I dont tend to put an hourly coverage time on my packages. It would be more along the lines of what part of the day you would want me to start at and what part of the day you want me to finish at. So for example if wanted me to start at the bride arriving for the ceremony and finish when everyone is seated for the meal, that generally happens around 6pm. Similarly if I am required to cover the first dance that generally happens around 9:30pm. If things do go over time a little, this is perfectly normal so dont worry, I wont be running out the door on the stroke. If however there are delays beyond a reasonable timeframe an extra charge may be incurred.

What is your approach to capturing candid moments?

My approach to shooting your wedding day is very much about capturing those candid moments, which is why I avoid interfering or directing any part of the day as much as possible. My experience over the years has taught me to know when and where these candid moments are likely to happen and so I will position and ready myself in anticipation of what is coming next. If I can get the shot without being noticed that is an even better result as it is always a lovely surprise for the couple when they receive their photos.

How do you handle low-light situations?

Every situation is different. This would be something I would discuss with the couple prior to the wedding. I would point out the technical challenges associated with shooting in low light situations as well as bright sunlight situations. The couple may have chosen their venue specifically because they like lighting, or lack thereof and that is absolutely fine. I am very skilled using both natural light and flashes and will work accordingly.

Will you be able to accommodate any special requests or specific shots I have in mind?

This would be a conversation we would have during our pre wedding day chat. For the most part all specific requests or shots can be accommodated once there is no danger to the photographer or anyone else and once the shots are logistically possible.

How long after the wedding will I receive the final edited photos?

This would depend on various factors; time of year, length of coverage etc. However my general turnaround time would be 4 -6 weeks after the wedding day.

How many photos can I expect to receive?

I dont tend to put an exact number on how many photos will be delivered. What I do promise is that the photos I do deliver will beautifully tell the story of your day, or at least the part of it which you requested me to be there for. But to put some sort of number on it, If I was covering a full day from preps to first dance I would be delivering an average of 630+ final images.

Do you offer albums or prints as part of your packages?

I carry a range of albums which can be viewed by appointment. A decision on including an album as part of your package does not have to be made when booking me for your wedding. This can be added on at any stage, even after delivery of photos if required. With regards to prints you will have the option to purchase a range of products through your private online gallery when you receive your photos. This however is an option, not an obligation. You will be able to download all your images and have the freedom to get photos printed elsewhere if you wish.

Do you have liability insurance?

Yes. I am fully insured.

What is your cancellation policy?

A non refundable booking fee is required to secure your wedding date. If the client wishes to cancel my services up to 4 months before the wedding date, no further payment is required. If the client wishes to cancel between 4 months and 2 months before the wedding date, 50% of the balance must be paid. If the client wishes to cancel my services with less than two months before the wedding date the outstanding balance must be paid in full.

Will you need any assistance or direction from us on the day of the wedding?

About a week or so before your wedding day we would schedule a call just to run through a plan for the day and at this point we would discuss any assistance that may be required from you on the day of the wedding. In general this would be very little. We may appoint some of the bridal party to look after certain tasks (eg rounding people up for group photos) but after that I just want you to enjoy your wedding day. Let the professionals take care of everything on the day. The only thing you really have to do on the day is say “I do”!

Can you provide references from past clients?

Feel free to read through my many Google reviews by clicking on the link below, but of course if you wish to specifically speak to a past client this can be arranged. https://reflectionsphotography.ie/reviews/

How do you handle image rights and usage?

Copyright of all images remain the property of Reflections Photography and may be used by Reflections Photography for promotional purposes. Images must not given or sold to a third party for commercial purposes. Images may be used or reproduced by the client for personal use only.

So hopefully you will find this blog useful and that my answers to the top twenty questions to ask your wedding photographer make sense. If you do have any other questions please do get in touch and I will do my very best to answer them.