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Ask These Questions When Choosing a Photographer:
Experience, Style & Emotional Fit 

The best way to find a wedding photographer is to look for someone whose work, approach, and presence all feel aligned with how you want your day to unfold. Style matters, but so does how a photographer handles timing, light, and the unexpected moments that cannot be repeated. The right photographer is not just someone whose images you like, but someone you trust to move through the day with you.

It helps to understand pricing, deliverables, and expectations,but just as important is how a photographer handles real moments as they unfold.​  Experience, consistency and pricing vary widely in this industry, which is why it helps to understand what you are actually comparing.

 

Before you speak with your photographer, you should look through his/her work and make sure you like the style.

Of course, pricing is important, as is how a photographer sees light, how they handle moments as they unfold, but just as important is how comfortable you feel with them. 

 

Meet in person, if you can. Pay attention to how you feel in the conversation, as you will spend a good part of your day with this person.  Once you have narrowed your choice, use these questions to help you choose a photographer:

Wedding photography details of flowers

Pricing & What’s Included

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  1. Will you customize your package?

  2. Does your price include the original digital files (jpgs)?  If not, what is the fee for a disc?

  3. Does your price include editing of the images? May I request editing and how much? Do you charge extra to convert images to black and white, for instance?

  4. What are your print prices when my family and I want to order prints to frame?

  5. What are your album prices?

  6. Will your print/album  prices change between now and a year after my wedding?

  7. Does your price include a second shooter?

  8. Do you charge extra if the event runs over time?

  9. Do you charge a travel fee?

  10. Do you require a deposit?  What is your refund policy in the event of a date change or cancellation? What is your policy in the event that images do not turn out/equipment malfunction or etc.?

wedding photography sonoma wedding
wedding photography of details and flowers

Deliverables & Timeline

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  1. How many files can you expect to receive? And when? (Make sure this information is in your contract)

  2. How many album choices do you offer?  Are they customizable?  When can I expect the album?

Experience & Who Will Be There

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  1. Will you be shooting my wedding personally?  Will you have an assistant?

  2. Will you be editing my images?

  3. Do you have references with whom I might speak?

  4. Will you arrive early to scope the venue?

  5. What kind of equipment/ backup equipment will you have?

  6. What is your experience shooting events of this kind in this setting (outdoor, indoor/dark, night time, woods, etc)

  7. How many events do you shoot in a month/week/day?  Will you be shooting another event the day of my wedding?

Style & Approach

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  1. Do you shoot traditional (posed), editorial (candid) or photojournalist (no posing)?  Can you combine editorial with some poses?

  2. How will you dress for the event?

  3. Is it okay with you for other people to take pictures?

wedding photography flower detail

Final Considerations

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  1. Make sure to see their work (and like it).

  2. Communication style is very important.  Are they reliable?  Will they show up on time? Will they confirm with you prior to the date?

  3. Do you LIKE him/her?  This person will likely be with you in your dressing room, with your family, riding along with you in the car, sometimes.  And should something go wrong, it is always easier to discuss difficult things with someone who's communiction style and personality is easy.

  4. Don't be shy about asking for deliverables and dates in your contract, including print prices, if they are not already.

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FAQs 

  • What’s the first thing to ask a potential photographer?
    → “Ask how long they’ve been shooting weddings and how many they’ve photographed.”

  • Why is it important to ask about their style?
    → “You want to make sure their approach — candid, posed, editorial — matches your preferences.”

  • Should I ask about how they handle surprises?
    → “Yes — weddings are unpredictable. Ask how they deal with weather, delays, or unexpected lighting.”

  • Is emotional connection important when hiring a photographer?
    → “Absolutely. You’ll spend your whole day with them — make sure you feel comfortable and seen.”

  • What’s one overlooked question that matters?
    → “Ask what they love most about photographing weddings — it reveals their passion and perspective.”

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