When searching for a wedding photographer for your wedding day, you will get swamped with lots of different styles, photographers, and information. There is no shortage of tips for booking and looking for a wedding photographer when you google “what to look for in a wedding photographer”. However, there are some very important things to consider when searching for a professional, experienced wedding photographer for your wedding day.

I have lined out some very important questions (and answers from me of course!) to ask your wedding photographer when you are in the process of searching for that perfect vendor for your wedding day.

Keep in mind that there are LOTS of different levels of wedding photographers who have different experience. Price often depends on experience, quality, professionalism, and more. Always make sure to ask all of the questions, read the reviews, look at the galleries, and take your time. Every client and photographer is different, and every client will have different wants for their wedding day. Some wedding couples prefer a photographer just starting out, others prefer a budget friendly photographer, and then there are other couples searching for the best, professional and experienced photographer for their wedding day! It all varies so much! Use these questions as a guideline when looking for a wedding photographer. I hope that these questions help give you a good starting point! Let’s begin.

What steps do you take to backup/keep my images safe?

All of my images are recorded onto two SD cards at a time. RAW files are saved and kept on my computer, on a backup hard drive, and also the original cards until the gallery is fully delivered to ensure optimal backups of your images.

Does your camera have a dual slot for memory cards?

Yes! All images are saved and recorded onto two identical cards at the same time while taking photos on your wedding day.

Do you have insurance for your gear?

Yes- Business insurance is included in my wedding photography and I am happy to provide a copy if your venue requires it.

Do you have backup equipment?

Absolutely. I make sure to bring backup camera equipment, lenses, and cards for your wedding day to ensure all backups are covered.

How many years have you been a wedding photographer?

I have been photographing weddings full time for 5 years (as of 2024) and have photographed over 70 weddings throughout the United States. I have experience in many different wedding scenarios!

What about sneak peaks?

Your wedding sneak peak photos will be delivered within 72 hours of the wedding day via social media/text/or your preferred method (excluding travel time if applicable). You will recieve an entire sneak peak gallery (more than the original sneak peaks within 72 hours!) with additional images within one week of the wedding. This sneak peak gallery is aimed at providing you with a glimpse of the storyline of your wedding day.

When should we expect our finished gallery to be delivered?

Your finished wedding gallery will be delivered within 3 months of your wedding date. You will recieve an email with a link to your gallery as well as delivery of your custom engraved USB with all of your final images.

Are you comfortable leading and directing on our wedding day?

Absolutely! I am fully comfortable leading and directing large groups of people, leading friends and family into directed posing, gently nudging people out of the way during the ceremony if they are being disruptive/have phones in the center of the isle, etc. I always make sure to chat with my clients beforehand to get an idea of how they would like me to lead on the wedding day, find out what they are comfortable with and not comfortable with (how much they prefer I direct people, where i’m allowed to walk during the ceremony, etc) and so on. Every wedding couple is different and I always make sure to ask what your preference is for leading the wedding day beforehand.

What is your posing process for pictures, especially if we feel awkward in front of the camera?

I am very well versed in posing prompts for capturing those natural smiles and moments. Clients boast of my ability to make them feel comfortable in front of the camera and give them a carefree, fun experience when photographing their memories!

How would you describe your shooting and editing style?

I feel that my style reflects organic, earthy and emotional feelings in my editing. My shooting style is candid documentary, capturing the natural poses and moments, while also ocassionally suggesting posed prompts if the mood and couple calls for it. I love genuine and candid moments, movement in photos, and bringing emotion to the memories.

Do we get you on the wedding day, or an associate?

You get me, 100% and I wouldn’t have it any other way! I value the small business perspective and will never outsource unless an emergency or serious sickness occurs, to which there will be full communication from me and prepping for backups beforehand. I also include all of this information in the contract for booking so that clear expectations are lined out!

What is it like working with you on a wedding day?

You can think of me as your steady person to lean on. Aside from your photos, I strive to give you a full wedding vendor experience when working with me. Why is it more than just photos to me? Why do I go the extra mile? I always want to make sure that my couples are happy and comfortable, and that their wedding day is going smoothly. If problems arise or little hiccups happen, I will be there to help fix the problem if the moment calls for it and you guys give me the go ahead. I let you tell me what you need, and I get it done. I help with building the wedding timeline (if you would like), ask you what your most important photos are, give you all the tools you need to plan for your photos accordingly, and so much more. It is truly a vendor experience with me, not just pictures! And I love being able to provide a joyful experience while documenting your memories.

Some additional quick tips:

Read their reviews. This is vital to getting an idea of what it’s like to work with them and what to expect from them, from what their past clients have said.
View the galleries. This gives you a clear idea of what their editing style is and what their photos will look like in different scenarios. I know for me, I offer gallery previews on my blog with a sneak peak of the entire day from that wedding. This is because my finished wedding galleries average 600+ images and some people get overwhelmed, so I try to offer a middle ground. However, I always am happy to provide full gallery viewing as well. PRO TIP: The background/color/atmosphere of your venue will make a difference in your gallery style. For example, if you want bright and airy photos but have booked a dark venue space, this will make a difference in the overall end look. While the editing style will stay the same, the background/colors can make a difference.
Make sure a contract is included when booking. This protects both parties. While there are plenty of photographers starting out that may not offer this (and if that is what you prefer, totally go for it!), contracts are an extra security in the event that something happens that is not ideal. I have heard lots of horror stories of people booking a wedding photographer with a deposit without signing a contract, and them getting ghosted afterwards. Resulting in loss of money, a photographer, and creating a whole other mess. I always advocate for checking your boxes, having backups and making sure each party is protected.

I hope that these questions give you a great starting point for important things to consider when booking your wedding photographer! Every wedding is different, and every clients has different requests and needs for their wedding vendors. I wish you the best in your wedding planning! Let me know if I missed any important questions in the comments below and check out my other tips for planning your wedding day!

Gabriella Sutherland is a wedding photographer based in Ohio that travels worldwide for wedding days. To inquire about your wedding day, click the link below!

For planning advice for your wedding day, check out the entire blog section of planning for your wedding, with a FREE 6 hour timeline, detail tips and a whole lot more!

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