10 Questions To Ask Your Potential Wedding Photographer

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life, and you want a photographer who not only captures it beautifully but also makes you feel confident that everything’s covered. While their portfolio might look amazing, there's a lot more you should consider before signing the contract. Here are 10 key questions to ask your potential wedding photographer to ensure they're the right fit:

1. Does Your Camera Have Dual Card Slots?

This might seem overly technical, but trust me it’s important. Card failure, while uncommon, can happen. Cameras with two card slots create an instant backup of your photos. If one memory card fails, the images are still safe on the second card. Peace of mind is priceless, especially when it comes to your wedding memories.

2. How Do You Backup Your Images After the Wedding?

Backing up photos should be standard practice for any professional photographer, but it’s always good to ask. You’ll want to know how they handle your images after the wedding. Do they save them to multiple external drives? Do they use cloud storage? Make sure they have a rock-solid system so there’s no risk of losing your memories.

3. Do You Shoot with Two Cameras or Have a Backup Camera?

Weddings are fast-paced, and having a backup camera is non-negotiable. Whether your photographer shoots with two cameras at once or just keeps an extra body in their bag, it’s important they’re prepared for any technical issues. You don’t want to be halfway through the ceremony and hear, “Uh, my camera stopped working…”

4. Can You Provide Testimonials or Connect Me with Previous Clients?

A great photographer will have happy clients who are more than willing to share their experience. Ask for testimonials or, better yet, see if you can speak to a couple who has worked with them before. Getting a first-hand account can give you a better idea of what it’s like working with them on the day.

5. What Is Your Photography Style?

Every photographer has a different approach—some are more traditional, while others lean towards candid, documentary-style photography. Make sure their style aligns with the way you envision your wedding being captured. Ask to see full galleries, not just their best shots, so you can see how they cover an entire day.

6. Do You Offer an Engagement Session?

Many photographers include an engagement shoot as part of their package. It's a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and helps you build rapport with your photographer before the big day. Plus, you'll get some awesome pre-wedding photos to use for your invitations or wedding website.

7. How Do You Handle Low-Light Situations?

Not all parts of a wedding happen in perfect lighting—think dimly lit reception halls or evening ceremonies. Make sure your photographer is experienced with low-light situations and has the proper equipment to handle it. Ask to see examples of their work in similar conditions to ensure your photos will look just as great, no matter the lighting.

8. Will You Be the Photographer at My Wedding?

If you’re working with a studio that has multiple photographers, double-check who will actually be there on the day. You’ll want to meet and feel comfortable with the person who will be by your side for such an important event. Make sure you’re clear on whether it’s the photographer you’re meeting or someone else from their team.

9. What Happens If You’re Unable to Attend?

Life happens, and while no one wants to think about it, you should know what your photographer's backup plan is if they’re unable to make it. Do they have someone they trust who can step in if needed? You don’t want to be left scrambling for a photographer at the last minute, so having a contingency plan is essential.

10. What’s Included in Your Packages?

Be sure to go over the details of their wedding packages. How many hours of coverage do you get? How many edited images will you receive? Do they offer prints or albums, and are those extra? Are there any travel fees if your venue is outside their usual area? Getting clarity upfront helps avoid any surprises when it’s time to finalize things.