What Are Good Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer
Choosing a wedding photographer is a big deal! Don't let mediocre wedding photos ruin your wedding day memories. The importance of choosing the right wedding photographer cannot be overstated. Your wedding photos will be cherished for years to come and you want to ensure they capture every moment perfectly. But how do you find the perfect wedding photographer? What questions should you ask a wedding photographer before booking them? Fear not, we've got you covered. We've spoken to some of the best Missouri wedding photographers to compile a list of the top 7 questions you need to ask your photographer before the big day. Get ready to be camera-ready!
Here is our list of
Top 7 Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer
What is your preferred photography editing style?
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a wedding photographer is their photography style. A photographer's style is a reflection of their unique artistic vision and can greatly affect the overall mood and atmosphere of your wedding photos. To ensure that you and your potential photographer are a good match, it is essential to find a photography style that resonates with you. You can do this by browsing through their website and social media pages, but it's recommended to ask for a few full wedding galleries to get a better understanding of their work. This will help you determine if their style aligns with your vision for your special day.
Additionally, if the photographer has worked at your wedding venue before, it's a good idea to request that specific gallery. Rachel B Photography, a reputable photographer based in Quincy, Illinois, suggests the following approach as an effective way to ensure that you and your wedding photographer are a perfect match.
“Every photographer’s style is a little different. This is the most important thing to consider when picking your photographer. I encourage couples to think about the colors they have picked for their wedding day when choosing their photographer. Do they see any of those colors in the photographer’s editing style?
For example, my editing style is bright & natural. Weddings that have bright color palettes of blue, purple or pink match well with my editing style naturally. If your wedding colors are more earthy based on reds, oranges and dark greens, a photographer with a more moody and earth toned editing style may be best for you. When you are looking through a photographer’s portfolio look for colors that naturally stand out in their images to help you determine if they are the match for you.”
2. How can I ensure that my wedding photos are captured in the best possible lighting?
If you want to ensure that your wedding photos look stunning, then you need to pay attention to lighting when touring your venue or prospective location. The quality and quantity of lighting can make or break your photos, so it's essential to choose a photographer who understands how to work with different lighting conditions. A skilled photographer will know how to use natural light and artificial lighting to create the best possible photos. Furthermore, it's important to select a wedding venue that offers great photography opportunities both indoors and outdoors.
At Emerson Fields, we have designed our venue with wedding photography in mind, understanding the importance of lighting. Our all-white interior reflects light beautifully and ample windows allow for natural light to pour in, creating a bright and airy atmosphere. Our 34-acre property is also designed to provide an abundance of photo opportunities, ensuring that all of your cherished moments can be captured in one place.
Our founder, Amelia Holder, a seasoned wedding photographer herself, carefully considered the venue's layout and features to create the best possible environment for capturing stunning photos. From the direction in which the main venue sits to the positioning of the lake and pavilion, every detail was thought through before your proposal ever transpired. As a result, Emerson Fields is a dream location for photographers to work in, and they consistently tell us how much they love working within our space. Choosing Emerson Fields for your wedding will ensure that your photos look incredible and your memories are captured in the best possible light.
“I love to hear couples asking for advice about what time they should plan major parts of their day so they can ensure to have the best lighting for pictures. For example, sunset pictures are often my favorite images of the day. However if the ceremony or first dances are already scheduled for that time of day, we will miss the best time of day for pictures. Lighting is a photographer’s expertise, so it is best for a couple to trust the photographer to pick what time of day is best for pictures and other major events.”
To achieve the best lighting for your wedding photos, it's essential to create a well-planned timeline. Collaborate with your planner and wedding photographer to schedule everything from the getting-ready pictures to the sunset portraits at the optimal times. By documenting the timing and location of each photo session, you can ensure that everything runs smoothly and everyone involved is informed of the plan. This way, you can avoid any confusion or delays and have a stress-free wedding day.
Other Questions to Ask for a Wedding Photographer
3. What if I feel awkward or uncomfortable in photos?
Being fearful of feeling awkward or uncomfortable in front of the camera on your wedding day is common. Being the center of attention can be overwhelming for most people. Keep in mind, when it's time to take portraits, it can be an intimate moment between the two of you with your wedding photographer present. That's why it's crucial to choose a photographer who makes you feel comfortable. If you don't feel a good connection during your initial consultation, keep searching until you find the right fit. As Emily Broadbent, a talented wedding photographer from St. Louis, Missouri, suggests, selecting the right photographer can make all the difference.
“The number one thing I hear during consults is some version of: “We are SO awkward in front of the camera, what do you do with people like us?” And I absolutely LOVE when I’m asked this, because I have YET to meet someone who actually looks as awkward in front of the camera as they think they will! Because it’s my job to make my couples look and feel GOOD! Sometimes they might feel weird, but I know how to make it look GREAT! And my favorite thing is when my couples see their images and realize that when I tell them they’ll look great, I meant it!”
4. What are the best ways for me to contact you as a potential client for my wedding photography needs?
To ensure that you are comfortable with your wedding photographer, it's best to schedule an initial meeting in person, via zoom, or by phone call. This will give you a sense of their personality and communication style, and help you determine if they're a good fit for you. Moreover, you want to ensure that they are reliable and will maintain good communication throughout the planning process and on your big day. Remember, your wedding photographer is a crucial part of your wedding team and you’ll spend the majority of the day with that person, even more time than you will with your partner. Be sure to keep the lines of communication open with them and all of your vendors.
“My biggest advice is to actually HAVE conversations with your vendors. If you can completely trust your vendor team, your wedding day will be significantly more enjoyable. And the best way to build that trust is by talking to your vendors. Having a connection with your vendors will seriously make a world of difference on your overall experience.”
5. Does your wedding photography package include an engagement session?
An engagement session can be an essential part of the wedding photography process. Even if you don't plan to use the photos for save-the-dates or invitations, it's an excellent opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and build a rapport with your photographer. A good photographer will help you feel at ease and offer guidance on posing and wardrobe choices.
During the session, you can also discuss important details for the wedding day, like the timeline and must-have shots. If your package includes an engagement session, take advantage of it as it can help ensure a smoother, more relaxed experience on your wedding day.
Take it from Bailey Pianalto, an experienced photographer from Kansas City, Missouri.
“The engagement session is one of my favorite parts of my time with my couples! On wedding days, your attention will be pulled in 100 different directions, but at your engagement session you can truly focus on each other and enjoy this time in your lives. For my couples, it’s a chance to get comfortable working with me and being in front of the camera before the wedding day. For me, it’s a chance to better get to know my couples and learn what poses they really shine in. On their wedding day, the things they learned during their engagement session will come flooding back, which will make their portrait time all the more fun and effortless!”
6. What is your turnaround time on my wedding day photographs?
We understand the importance of receiving your wedding photos in a timely manner and being able to relive those wonderful memories. We've seen many couples who have been disappointed when they didn't get their photos back as quickly as they had hoped. That's why we recommend that you ask your photographer about their turnaround time for delivering your wedding photos. You'll want to know when you can expect to receive any sneak peeks and your full wedding gallery and make sure that this is outlined in your contract.
Pro Tip: It's also a good idea to ask if the photographer's workload typically increases during certain seasons and if this affects their turnaround time. Asking this simple yet important question can help ensure that you receive your wedding photos promptly and without any surprises.
Waiting for your wedding photos can be nerve-wracking, so if your photographer can't promise a turnaround time that suits you or deliver your sneak peek gallery promptly, you may want to consider hiring another photographer. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you deserve to have beautiful memories captured and delivered to you in a reasonable timeframe. Don't hesitate to discuss turnaround times with potential photographers and make sure that their timeline aligns with your expectations before making a final decision.
7. Have you photographed a wedding at my venue before?
It's important to consider if your photographer has previously shot at your chosen venue. Familiarity with the space can be a game-changer in terms of capturing the best photos possible. If they've worked at the venue before, they likely already know the best locations for portraits and are familiar with the lighting situation. Additionally, they may have a pre-existing relationship with the venue team, which can make for a more seamless experience overall. Your photographer and venue play a huge role in your wedding day, so it's important to choose vendors that work well together and can deliver the results you're looking for.
Get these two vendor choices right at the beginning stages of planning to set yourself up for success, and amazing photographs, on your wedding day!
These questions to ask your wedding photographer will help you narrow your search and select the perfect person to capture your wedding day. Looking for the perfect wedding photographer is all about finding someone who can tell your love story through their art. At Emerson Fields, we believe that every couple deserves the best possible wedding day experience, and that includes beautiful, timeless images that you will cherish for a lifetime. We hope that the tips and insights shared by some of our favorite Missouri wedding photographers have helped you feel more confident in choosing the right photographer for your wedding day.
Remember, a great wedding photographer isn't just someone who takes pretty pictures, they are someone who can capture your most special moments in a way that reflects your unique love story. Read a few bonus remarks from these professional wedding photographers who have extensive experience at Emerson Fields.
“Some questions I love to hear from couples are things like, “We’re nervous about being in front of the camera, can you help us?” or “What outfits do you think would photograph best for our engagement photos?” These questions tell me that couples are genuinely interested in their engagement/wedding photography and want to make the most of their experience with me.
But my all-time favorite question is, “We trust you; what do you think?” That sentence is music to my ears! All photographers thrive in a client relationship that is built on trust. It lets us truly show our expertise and choose the best for our couples. It gets us out from behind a pesky shot list and gives us the freedom to create our best and most creative work for our couples!”
“In my opinion, engagement sessions are vital. This is like the ice-breaking portion of our relationship! We get to know each other, my couples can loosen up, and there’s much less pressure than an actual wedding day. Furthermore, my couples get to experience what it’s like in front of MY camera! What I say, how I interact, how we make magic! Then, when we get to the wedding day, they’re confident and excited about photos! ”
“Look through their entire portfolio! Don’t skimp when looking through a photographer’s images. This is the work they are going to be producing from YOUR day. Make sure you love it! Pay attention to how they communicate with you in the booking process. How a photographer responds to your questions is how they are going to be during your wedding day. Are they answering all of your questions thoroughly? Do they take time to get to know you? Do you feel like they have your best interest in mind overall?
Your photographer will often serve as your go-to during your wedding day when it comes to finding family members, gathering details, making sure things are starting on time, transporting you from picture spot to picture spot and so much more. If nothing else, they will be with you for 8+ hours on the best day of your life. Make sure the photographer you choose is someone you actually want there with you.”
Don't be afraid to ask your potential wedding photographers these top 7 questions before making your decision. It's important to choose the perfect person who can capture the essence of your wedding day. And once you've made your choice, head over to our free “What To Do When You Get Engaged” Checklist to help you start wedding planning off on the right foot! We are here to support you every step of the way, and we wish you all the best on your special day!
Huge shoutout to these amazing photographers for their advice and their photos!
Rachel B Photography - Quincy, Illinois - Check out her website to learn more about her heart for foster children and how her clients make a difference!
Emily Broadbent Photography - St. Louis, Missouri - Head over to her blog to get a great feel for her gorgeous, story like wedding galleries.
Bailey Pianalto Photography - Kansas City, Missouri - Check out her free guide on 10 Essential Tips for Wedding Photography or any of her other helpful guides!
04/05/2023 - Gabrielle Isom
