How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer

After selecting the venue, choosing your wedding photographer is the second most important vendor decision you will make.

Your wedding day is going to be an incredible, yet overwhelming experience. Emotions are going to be running high. A million wonderful interactions are going to take place between your friends and family. It will feel like a whirlwind. And one thing that will help you preserve those memories (or sometimes even shape them) will be your wedding photographs.

It is for this reason, you should not take selecting your wedding photographer lightly.

Be sure to consider the following items before choosing which wedding photographer to hire for your special day.

Personality of the Wedding Photographer

The overall personality and vibe of your photographer should be a critical part of your decision. Your photographer will be with you the majority of your wedding day. You want to make sure you like spending time with him or her. Do they brighten your mood? Are they positive? Do you think they will work under pressure without getting flustered? A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, would you like to have dinner with this person socially? Your gut response to that question can often help you gauge if a wedding photographer’s personality is a good fit for you.

Pricing and Packages

Because photography is a critical component to your wedding, you should be prepared to spend a good chunk of your wedding budget on this vendor. Average wedding packages in Arizona start around $1,500 and go up from there.

Be sure to clarify how the photographer expects to be paid. I find most wedding photographers offer wedding photography packages or simply charge a flat fee for the entire wedding instead of charging an hourly rate. If you work with a photographer who offers wedding photography packages, be sure you ask what exactly your wedding package includes to make sure you are receiving all the services you hope your photographer will provide for you on your wedding day.

Photographic Style

With the rise of digital photography, the majority of the look and feel of your images are determined in the post-processing stage. I know this might seem basic, but be sure you like the look and feel of the photographers finished images before you hire them. If all the images on the photographers website have a yellowy vintage look to them, you can bet your images will also have this same vibe. Be sure your style and the photographer’s artistic vision jive before you make your final photographer decision.

Albums and Wall Portraits and Prints! Oh my!

What photography items interest you? Have you always dreamed of having a beautiful large coffee table style album of your favorite wedding photos? Do you want a couple large framed wall portraits of your wedding images to display in your home? Will your friends and family be interested in also purchasing prints of their day? These are all things to consider and discuss with your photographer. Be sure you are clear if photography products are included in the wedding photography package you choose or if these products will be an additional expense to consider after your wedding.

Questions to ask when interviewing a Wedding Photographer

Here are a list of questions you should consider reviewing with potential photographers before making your final decision:

Experience & Service

Are you available on my event date?
How many weddings do you photograph each year? How long have you been in business? Can you provide a list of recent wedding references?
Have you ever photographed a wedding at my wedding location?
Can you please show me examples of your work and photographic style?
What would you say is your primary photography style? Traditional (posed look)? Photojournalistic (candid feel)?
Is it possible to see an entire wedding? (Look for consistency and good shots throughout the day.)
What is your philosophy about shooting weddings and wedding photography?
Do you offer engagement photography sessions? If so, what is the cost? Are engagement sessions included in some of your wedding photography packages?
Do you offer bridal portrait sessions? If so, what is the cost?
How many photographers will be covering my wedding? Is there an additional cost for a second shooter?
Are you open to me providing you a list of shots I would like captured?
Can you please provide me the photography timeline you recommend for the weddings you photograph?
When do you typically arrive on the wedding day? (Ex. When the bride and bridesmaids begin to get ready.) When do you typically leave? (Ex: After the cake is cut.)
Do you recommend a “First Look”?
What equipment do you bring on the wedding day? What is your backup plan in the event of equipment failure?
What is your backup plan should you fall ill or be unexpectedly unable to photograph my wedding?

Pricing, Packages & Products

How many hours of photography coverage does each package include?
Can we add additional hours of photography coverage to any package? If so, what is the hourly cost?
Will I receive the digital files (hi-res JPG files) of my wedding images? Is this included in my wedding photography package?
What photography products do you offer? Albums? Wall portraits? Prints? Are any of these products included in a wedding photography package?
How do I order my photography products after my wedding?
How quickly can I expect to receive our wedding images and/or products after the wedding?
Can you please provide me with a complete price list of the photography products you offer?
What are the image usage rights for my wedding images? Can I use them personally but not commercially? Can I print the images myself through a 3^rd party printer of my choosing (e.g. Costco) without working with your professional photography printing lab?
Will you (the photographer) be sharing or publishing my wedding images on your website, blog, social media or print publications?
When is payment expected?
What are your cancellation policies?