Hiring a wedding photographer? Ask these 3 questions first.
Hiring a wedding photographer is a significant investment, and for most couples, it’s their first time navigating this process. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. What do you truly need? What potential blind spots should you be aware of? And how can you ensure you won’t have regrets later?
When I meet with couples considering my services, my first step is to pump the brakes. Before diving into specific packages, we take the time to reflect on what truly matters to them when it comes to their wedding photography. What styles resonate with them? What moments do they want captured? By understanding their priorities, we can align their vision with the right services and options.
Every couple has a unique blend of expectations, even if they don’t realize it yet. Many only discover their specific needs after an intentional conversation. That’s why I guide couples through key questions early in the process—helping them clarify their vision, understand how photography can support it, and determine whether my approach is the right fit for them.
Read on for the essential questions I ask to ensure couples feel confident and excited about their wedding photography journey.
What is on your wedding priorities ‘short list’? Is wedding photography on that list?
The most valuable wedding planning advice I’ve ever heard in my decade as a wedding photographer comes from the first chapter of A Practical Wedding Planner, by Meg Keene:
“When the seating charts are in the trash and your wedding decor is packed away, what emotions do you want to remember?… Once you’ve done the work of figuring out what you want your wedding to feel like… you and your partner try to create a joint list of top three wedding planning priorities—that will help you figure out what makes a wedding feel like a wedding to each of you… As you get lost in the weeds of “This costs what?” and “Your mom insists we have that??” you can revisit your original list to make sure you’re focused on the things that actually matter.”
While your list doesn’t need to be limited to three, identifying a small handful of priorities—whether it’s food, music, guest experience, venue, flowers, attire, transportation, or anything else—serves as a valuable guide throughout the wedding planning process. Having these priorities in mind helps ensure that your wedding reflects what truly matters most to you.
It’s also important to note that popular wedding budget templates, like those from The Knot, often don’t align with real-world pricing, or the most common inspiration photos couples see online. Rather than relying on generalized budget percentages for each vendor, this approach allows you to be intentional—allocating more resources to the aspects that mean the most to you while consciously scaling back in other areas.
Many couples have shared with me that once they made a clear decision about where photography ranked in their priorities, it made their entire planning process easier. Knowing whether photography was an area to invest in or save on helped them focus their search and find a photographer who truly fit their vision and budget.
When all is said and done and the wedding is over, what will you be sad if your wedding photos don’t capture?
If photography is a priority for you—as it is for our clients—it’s worth taking a deeper look. What specifically matters to you about wedding photography? And why? For some couples, the answers come quickly. If that’s the case, jot them down.
If you’re unsure, revisit your wedding priorities. For example, if having a live band is on your list, why? Is it because you love live music and dancing? If so, are high-energy dance floor photos a must-have, or do you care more about capturing older relatives enjoying the music from a quiet corner?
If bringing your favorite people together is a top priority, do you want candid shots of guests laughing and celebrating? Or are beautifully posed family and wedding party portraits—something your grandma would love to frame—more important? Maybe both?
Another way to approach this is to think about what you’re most looking forward to and how that translates into photography.
Are you excited to be dressed to the nines, feeling your best? If so, dedicating extra time to individual portraits may be valuable.
Many couples tell me they have very few good photos together. For them, wedding photography isn’t just about the day itself—it’s a rare opportunity to capture their relationship in a way they’ve never had before, making couples’ portraits especially meaningful.
What are your concerns, misgivings, or unknowns about photography on your wedding day?
What are your biggest concerns or uncertainties about photography on your wedding day?
A common worry I hear from couples is that they simply don’t know what they don’t know—what makes a photographer great, and how do different photographers truly differ?
Many have witnessed frustrating experiences at friends’ or family members’ weddings—group photos dragging on endlessly while guests stand around, unsure of what to do. Understandably, they want to avoid that at all costs.
Others feel self-conscious in front of the camera, worried they’re not “photogenic enough” or won’t know how to pose. They fear their portraits might look stiff or unflattering instead of natural and effortless.
Some couples struggle to express a major concern: wanting to capture everything. They envision a perfect blend of emotional moments, timeless portraits, fun dance floor shots, and beautiful details—but wonder if it’s even possible to document it all.
Another common fear is that the wedding day will feel like a whirlwind, and rather than photography easing the experience, it might add to the chaos—making moments feel rushed, forced, or overwhelming.
Whatever your own concerns may be, they’re important to discuss with potential photographers. Understanding how they approach these challenges will help you feel confident in their ability to capture your day in a way that feels seamless and true to you.
Who else has a decision-making role in hiring the photographer?
While the final choice of a wedding photographer is typically yours, it’s worth considering who else might have a stake in the decision. Taking a step back to involve key voices can help ensure a smoother process and avoid surprises later on.
Parents, for example, may expect some input—especially if they’re contributing financially. Even if they aren’t covering costs, they might have unspoken expectations about the photography. Asking them to reflect on the key questions we’ve covered and then comparing answers can help uncover any differences in priorities, allowing you to address them early.
Your wedding planner is another valuable resource. They often have extensive experience working with certain photographers and may prefer them for specific reasons. Asking why they recommend particular photographers can provide valuable insights and help guide your decision.
By thoughtfully considering who to involve, you can make a well-informed choice that aligns with both your vision and any external expectations, ensuring a seamless experience on your wedding day.
