25 Questions To Ask Your Photographer

The question has been popped, the planning has started! You are now POURING your heart & soul into planning your dream day and you will want every meaningful moment captured. But wait, there are a kajillion photographers out there. How do you know if they are the right fit? Good thing we came up with this comprehensive article to guide you through picking your wedding photographer. Before we get into the questions that we have compiled, there are a few things you need to do and know first…

First things first! Fall in love with a photographers portfolio & style. Do your homework and research online, checking out websites, galleries, social media, etc and find photographers that speak to your style.
Second, make sure you click with your photographer on a personal level. Think of this part as finding a long lost friend. We think that you would want a photographer that you could see yourself being friends with. To put it simply, the more at ease you are with them, the more natural and authentic your wedding images will be
Third, once you have nailed down your A-LIST photographers based on the tips above, ask each photographer the following questions to hone in on “THE ONE” (Not a Matrix reference) for your wedding day!
Finally, as we have curated these questions, our answers will be under each question in bold & italics

The Basics

Do you have my date available?
We will say YES!

How far in advance do I need to book with you?
Generally, we would say as soon as you book your venue. We have been known to book 1-3 years in advance.

How long have you been in business?
We established Pulse Productions in 2008

How many weddings have you shot?
2020 was pretty rough on all photographers but we were able to shoot 8 weddings and last year in 2021 we shot 25 weddings. 2022 we are projected to shoot 30-40 weddings.

Does guest size count?
Not at all!

Style

What is your photography style?
Our style has been described as timeless & classic. We tend to have more of a light & airy vibe to our photos.

Is your style mostly candid? Will I still get formals & posed portraits?
We are a mixture of both. During morning prep, ceremony & reception, we tend to lean towards candids as this would be a true representation of how your day unfolds. We also photograph formals & portraits after the ceremony & before the reception. These are when we get all of those “Instagram-worthy” shots!

Do you shoot weddings in digital format?
We sure do!

Do you specialize in indoor or outdoor events?
Both 😉

Do you have an updated portfolio?
Our portfolio is updated once every two weeks. Please CLICK HERE to view.

Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?
Most definitely. We encourage it!

Logistical

What type of equipment do you use?
We use FujiFilm & Nikon Mirrorless & DSLR cameras. We have 4 main cameras & 2 backups.

Are you photographing other events on the same day as my wedding?
No. We only schedule one wedding or event per day so that we can ensure that our full attention is on said wedding or event.

What time do you usually arrive?
We tend to arrive approx. 15 minutes earlier then scheduled. This is the time we usually take to get our cameras out and ready to shoot, get the layout of the venue, etc.

If my wedding lasts longer than expected, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?
We are glad this question came up. We recently re-vamped our packages as this was a common concern. Our Essentials Package (1/2 day) and our Signature Package (full day) combats time restrictions. You get the choice of either having us start at your ceremony start time OR have us start at morning prep. Both packages will keep us there until after your formal dances.

Do you have liability insurance?
Most definitely! We come with $2 Million in liability insurance to ensure everyone & everything is covered!

Packages & Pricing

How much of a deposit do you require and when is it due?
We do require 50% of the total cost as a deposit which is due upon contract signing.

Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Any package or bundled package above the price point of $3000 is eligible for our payment plans.

Do you charge anything extra for travel or accommodations?
We sure don’t 😉

Do you provide retouching services?
We sure do. Additional charges may apply.

How long after the wedding will I get proofs? Will they be available online?
Yes, they will be available online to view and download. Generally, our editing times can be anywhere from 4-12 weeks depending on our schedule.

Vetting (The Photographer Should Not Hesitate To Provide These Answers)

Have you worked with my Coordinator? Venue Manager? DJ? etc.
While we have worked with multiple vendors before, there is a good chance that we have. With that said, we also send out an email to all vendors 1 week prior to introduce ourselves and to see if any of them have questions for us.

If I hire you, when will I receive a written contract?
Typically, when you give us the green light and want to book our services, we usually have a written contract out to you within 2-4 hours of you saying you want to book.

What information do you need from me before the wedding day?
Upon booking with us, you will receive our comprehensive photography questionnaire. This will give us all of the information we need to ensure your day runs as smoothly as possible. The more detail you can give, the better!

May I have a list of references or a link to reviews?
Absolutely! Please Click Here to view all of the love from our previous Brides & Grooms!

Gut Check! Ask Yourself These Questions...

Do your personalities jive? Would you be comfortable grabbing drinks with this photographer?

Do you feel a connection with their photos?

Are you comfortable with their customer service/communication style?

Did they listen well and address all of your concerns?