Choosing your wedding photographer is an important but tricky task. Ask your photographer these 5 questions before hiring them for your big day.

Your wedding day will be one of the happiest and most memorable days of your life. You’ll make big memories that will last forever, but there will also be dozens and dozens of small moments you’ll want to hold onto. A professional wedding photographer can capture these moments in a beautiful way so you can revisit them throughout your marriage.

You likely already know the type of wedding photographer you want to work with, but how do you know which photographer is right for you? Research is the first step—find photographer portfolios on social media, check the partners on our referrals page, or ask for a friend’s recommendation.

Next, you’ll want to ensure their service will be personalized and tailored to your event’s specifications. This can be tricky. To find the wedding photographer best suited for your big day, don’t rely on the portfolio alone.

Here are the five most important questions to ask a photographer before hiring one.

1. What Is Your Wedding Photography (and Editing) Style?

Wedding photographers tend to keep their editing and retouching as natural as possible. However, it’s important to keep in mind that all photographers have their own editing style. Some may consider the editing style you want, but this will depend on your arrangement with them.

When discussing photography and editing styles, it’s also important to keep your desired theme in mind. You want to make sure the end result of the photographs perfectly showcases your theme. Discussing this with your chosen wedding photographer will help you both stay on the same page.

2. Can We Request Specific Shots?

You’ve probably already created mood boards and collected inspirational materials and images for your wedding. You may even have pegs for your wedding photos. If you want to recreate specific shots during your big day, it’s best to talk about it with the wedding photographer in advance. Some photographers will readily say yes and include it in your package, but some may charge a little extra on top of their standard fee, especially if special props are needed.

When discussing this with your photographer, have the specific shots on hand. This will help your photographer gauge whether they’ll be able to pull off this shot and conceptualize additional pegs they think would look good. You can even talk to them about some poses you would like to do so they can offer feedback and suggestions.

Afarose Bridal Buzz: Thinking of having your wedding shots include a bit of your personal touch? You and your photographer can discuss these 2022 wedding photo and video trends you may like.

3. What Is Included in Your Wedding Package?

This is perhaps one of the most important things to ask your wedding photographer. You must know their package inclusions and pricing to make an informed decision. After all, you’ll want to make sure it’s within your budget.

Most wedding photographers offer standard packages to their customers. Ask your chosen photographer about their hours, engagement sessions, prints, and albums. They may even get a second photographer to help them document your big day, which you’ll want to know about upfront.

You can also ask your wedding photographer about additional services. For example, your photographer may bundle in a video team to do your same-day edit video. This will have an extra cost, but it can enhance the documentation of your special day.

4. What Is Your Experience as a Wedding Photographer?

You’ll also want to know your chosen photographer’s experience and credentials. There are different photography styles, and some may not work so well for weddings. For example, a photographer may be skilled at shooting portraits or landscapes, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be a good wedding photographer.

Seasoned wedding photographers know the type of photos to take and the key moments they should watch out for in a wedding. They’re trained to capture both the big and small scenes of your special day. When determining how much experience your photographer has had shooting weddings, ask how long they’ve been a wedding photographer and how many weddings they have photographed.

5. Other Question Basics for Wedding Photographer

When talking to your chosen photographer, make sure you cover the basics. You’ll need to know their availability, basic rate, tools needed, transportation arrangements, and location to determine whether they’re the right fit for your wedding. Some other basic questions you should ask are:

• How many hours of coverage will they provide?
• Are there any charges for overtime?
• How long will the editing and touch-up process take?
• What are the photographer’s rules for sharing photos on social media?
• Will they come alone, or will they have a team with them?
• What are their expectations from you? Is there anything you would need to provide?

Get Picture-Perfect Ready on Your Wedding Day With Afarose

Your big day is one you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. It’s important that you dress for the occasion and make sure you’re picture-perfect every step of the way. That’s why Afarose is here to help you suit up.

Whether you’re looking for your wedding dress, gowns for your entourage, or an outfit for your reception, Afarose has you covered. You and your wedding party can browse a variety of styles and designs using their virtual showroom. You can even find vendors for all your wedding preparations on our partner page.

For all things wedding, Afarose is here for you. Reach out to Afarose today to find the perfect wedding and bridal outfits.