Wedding Planning · Choosing a Photographer
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
The questions actually worth asking, answered honestly.
Choosing a wedding photographer is usually a once-in-a-lifetime decision, so it is natural to have questions. There are countless lists out there suggesting things to ask, and honestly, some of them are irrelevant and only stir up worry for couples who are already busy planning.
So here are the questions actually worth asking your wedding photographer, with honest answers, plus a few common worries cleared up along the way. I will assume you have already covered the most fundamental one, are you free on our date, and take it from there, in no particular order.
If our styles line up, you can also see how I work as a documentary wedding photographer across the day.
Where to Start
Style & Experience
Before anything else, this is the part that actually matters: does their work move you, and do you click with the person behind the camera? A few honest questions here will tell you far more than any checklist about whether a photographer is right for your day.
How would you describe your photography style?
If you already love a photographer’s work, the label matters less than you think. There are plenty of terms floating around, candid, reportage, fine art, editorial, but rather than getting hung up on the word, have a proper chat about their approach and how they would capture your day. For me, I blend candid moments with a few formal portraits, guided by how many posed shots you actually want.
How many weddings have you shot?
Experience counts, more than with most kinds of photography. Weddings are their own world: it is not just about taking a lovely photo, but reading a room, keeping the day moving, and getting on with everyone from the couple to the guests to the other suppliers. A quick meet-up or video call is the best way to get a feel for whether the person behind the lens is someone you will be comfortable with.
Have you worked at our venue before?
It feels reassuring, but for a skilled photographer it makes far less difference than you would expect. Good lighting, composition and instinct travel to any venue. Honestly, some of my favourite work has come from venues I had never set foot in before the day. If you love a photographer’s style and feel a connection, treat venue familiarity as a nice bonus rather than a dealbreaker.
The Detail
What You Get
Once the style feels right, it is worth being clear on the practical side: what is actually included, how many photos you will end up with, and when they land in your hands. Good photographers are happy to spell all of this out, no surprises.
What is included in your package?
Knowing exactly what you are getting matters. It is worth asking how many hours of coverage you get, who owns the rights to the images, whether you can print them freely, if there are any watermarks, how long the gallery stays online, when payment is due, and whether add-ons like a second shooter or extra hours are available. A good photographer will have all of this set out plainly in a brochure or on their website.
How many final images can we expect?
This varies by photographer. As a guide, my full-day package covers nine hours, from morning prep through to the first dance, and you receive at least 500 hand-edited photos, sometimes up to 1,000 if the day is full of detail and activity. Couples who prefer fewer posed shots may get a different count, but every image is chosen with care, and you get both high-resolution and web-ready versions.
When and how will we receive our photos?
Turnaround is usually around eight weeks, though it varies by photographer and package. I typically deliver within six to eight weeks, with sneak peeks along the way, and the final gallery online for easy downloading and sharing. It is worth checking how long the gallery stays live, since some photographers offer extended hosting so you can revisit the photos whenever you like.
Got Questions for Me?
Let’s have a proper chat
The best way to know if a photographer is right for you is to talk. Take a look at my documentary wedding photography and the way I work, then get in touch with anything you would like to ask.
View Pricing & PackagesThe Safety Net
The Practical Stuff
Less glamorous, but this is where the professionals stand apart. Insurance, backup gear, a clear cancellation policy, the things that quietly protect your day if something goes sideways. Worth asking, and quick to answer if a photographer is properly set up.
Are you insured?
Your photographer should carry both professional indemnity and public liability insurance. It protects them if something goes wrong, and it gives you peace of mind too. I hold both, so whatever the day throws at us, we are both covered.
Do you have backup equipment and a backup photographer?
Any professional will have a plan for the unexpected. On the gear side, I shoot with reliable, professional cameras and lenses and carry backups throughout the day. Just as important is the people side: ask what happens if your photographer falls ill. I have a network of photographers with a similar style who could step in, though touch wood, I have never needed to call on them.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Every photographer should have clear terms covering cancellations and refunds, so do ask, especially if you are worried about unforeseen circumstances. A professional will have these on their website or send them over on request. Mine sit on my online booking form, so you can read them before you confirm anything.
The Finer Points
Extras & On the Day
Last, the details that shape how the day itself feels: whether you can hand over a shot list, the option of an engagement shoot beforehand, and how travel works if your venue is further afield. Small things, but worth knowing before you book.
Can we request specific shots or give you a must-capture list?
It is worth talking through how a photographer feels about shot lists. Some are happy to follow a detailed list, others, like me, prefer a little creative freedom. A long list of group shots can crowd out the spontaneous moments that make a day feel like yours, so I tend to cover the key family groups, then mix in plenty of candid, natural photos around them.
Do you offer engagement shoots?
Extras like an engagement shoot, a second photographer or an album should all be set out in the package. An engagement shoot in particular is a lovely way to get comfortable in front of the camera and get to know each other before the day. If you are weighing one up, I have written more on the reasons to have an engagement shoot.
Do you travel, and is there a travel fee?
Worth checking if your venue is not local to your photographer. I shoot weddings all over the country and love it. My packages cover weddings within fifty miles of Birmingham, and for venues further afield I add a small travel fee, with overnight accommodation occasionally needed for the early starts.
In Closing
The Questions That Really Matter
There are endless lists of questions to ask your wedding photographer, but most of it comes down to a few things: do you love their work, do they have the experience and the practical side covered, and do you actually get on. Answer those and the rest tends to fall into place.
Every couple has different priorities, from photography style to whether a photographer has shot at your venue. The one that matters most is finding someone who makes you feel comfortable and captures the day in a way that feels like you. So do reach out, ask your questions, and find the right fit for your day.
You only get one chance at this, so choose the person, not just the portfolio.
If our styles line up, take a look at how I work as a documentary wedding photographer and get in touch with anything I have not covered here.
Jordan Fox
Your Wedding
Still have questions?
If you would like to ask me anything, or just see whether we are a good fit, I would love to hear from you.
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