12 Essential questions to ask Wedding photographers

Choosing the right wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make when planning your special day. Remember, this is a day that won’t happen again. You have to make sure you choose the perfect photographer who understands your vision and style, while saving memories that will last for generations to come. So heres 10 hard hitting questions to ask potential photographers, before you make your final decision.

1- What is your photography style?

Understanding the photographer’s style is essential to ensure it aligns with your vision. Do you prefer traditional posed portraits, candid moments, or a blend of both?

Discussing their approach and reviewing their portfolio will give you insight into their style and creativity, so that you can make sure it aligns with your vision. Click here to see our portfolio, so that you can use as a reference

Bride and groom posing for a portrait on their wedding day, Montreal — Wedding day portrait, Downtown Montreal

2- Can we see a full wedding album or digital gallery?

While a photographer’s portfolio may showcase their best work, asking to see a full wedding album or digital gallery, allows you to see the consistency and quality of their work throughout an entire wedding day. Pay special attention to the story telling, composition and attention detail.

4- How do you handle challenging lighting conditions?

Reception portrait on their wedding day, Montreal

Sparkles flying on their wedding day, portrait in Montreal

Weddings often involve varying lighting conditions, from bright outdoors ceremonies to dimly lit receptions. Ask their photographer what type of light equipment do they have and how they approach different lighting scenarios and if they have experience using lighting equipment to overcome challenges and capture stunning photos in any situation.

5- What is your backup plan for equipment failure?

Different types of memory cards — Several types of memory cards

This is a big one. Equipment failure can happen, so its essential to know if your photographer has a back up plan in place. Do they carry more than one camera?. How many lenses? What happens if one of their light equipment fails? How many card slots do they’re camera have? One card per camera to save such important memories? What happens if the card gets corrupted? It is EXTREMELY important that your wedding photographer carries two cameras with two card slots.Why? Because it can save the pictures being taken onto two cards at the same time, so if one card fails, the images are being saved into the second card and are safe.

6- What is your redundancy to make sure our memories wont get lost after you capture our wedding?

Another big one. When the wedding is done, it is the photographer’s job to properly save the files, in a way that will make sure they are safe, no matter what happens. We have this system that we call “ The holly trinity “ of safe backup.

1- as soon as a photographer gets home after the wedding day, upload the files into a work hard-drive.

2-Upload those same files into a second location, like a private server. If the work hard drive fails, the images are saved in the server.

3- Upload the files into a cloud. If the two first options fail, the files are saved in a third location. God forbid the photographer has a fire and all his hardware burns down, thew files are secured and saved in a cloud and can be accessed by any device at any given time.

Remember. Your wedding day is unique and wont happen again. Making sure your wedding photographer takes the necessary steps to save your memories is essential.

7- How do you ensure our photos are edited consistently?

As a professional wedding photographer, you have to make sure your photographer is using state of the art and updated editing softwares specialized in photography files. Your memories are too important to be worked in free version apps that wont give you the aesthetic that you envision and deserve for your special day. Ask your photographer about their editing process and if they use presets or custom editing techniques to ensure all photos have a cohesive look and feel.

8- Will you be the one shooting our wedding, or will it be an associate?

Its essential to clarify who will be the main photographer on your wedding day. If you’ve been communicating with a specific photographer, make sure they will be the one capturing your day.nIf they work with associates, ask to see their work and ensure you’re comfortable with their style and approach.

9- How many weddings do you shoot a day or a weekend?

Photographers who shoot multiple weddings in a short timeframe may be stretched thin and unable to give your wedding the attention it deserves. Ask about their schedule and availability to ensure they can devote enough time and energy to your special day.

10- Do you have experience shooting at our venue?

Familiarity with your wedding venue can be advantageous for a photographer, as they'll know the best locations for photos and how to work with the available lighting and surroundings. If they haven't shot at your venue before, ask if they're willing to visit beforehand to scout locations and plan shots.

portrait of a couple first kiss, on their wedding day, ceremony, Montreal — Couple’s first kiss during their ceremony

11- Can you provide references from past clients?

Reading reviews and testimonials from past clients can provide valuable insight into a photographer's professionalism, communication, and overall satisfaction with their services. Don't hesitate to ask for references and reach out to past clients to hear about their experiences firsthand.

“Working with Braulio and his team made our wedding day so special! We planned our wedding from out of town and Braulio was extremely accommodating and set up zoom calls so we could get to know each other and have a plan in place for wedding day. Braulio and his team were extremely organized, enthusiastic, easy to work with, and they really captured every moment from our wedding day. We are so happy with the quality of the pictures and are so excited to hang them in our home”

— Sam Fagen

12- What is included in your wedding packages?

Finally, it’s essential to understand exactly what is included in the photographer's packages and pricing. Ask about the number of hours of coverage, the deliverables (such as digital files, prints, albums), and any additional services or fees. Clarifying these details upfront will help avoid any surprises later on. Make sure your expectations are set and met correctly. If you click here, it will take you to an example of our wedding packages so that you can use it as reference. A wedding package should contain different options, with a price list and what services are included

Wedding day portrait in front of their reception hall, Montreal

In insight choosing the right wedding photographer is a decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. By asking these 12 hard-hitting questions, you'll gain valuable insight into each photographer's style, experience, and professionalism, allowing you to make an informed decision that ensures your wedding day memories are captured beautifully for years to come.

If you're interested in learning more about my photography services or booking a session, please don't hesitate to reach out. Click here to find all the information you need to contact us or to fill out a form.
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