Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you'll make.
And yeah, it's not just about picking someone with great photos. It's about trusting someone to be with you the entire day, to guide you through it, and to capture it the way you’ll want to remember it for the rest of your life.
After photographing weddings all over the U.S. and abroad, I’ve noticed one thing: the couples who feel the most at ease are the ones who asked the right questions before they booked. Not just pricing and availability stuff, but the real questions that show you how your photographer handles people, pressure, and moments that matter.
Here are 5 questions I think every couple should ask - and why they actually matter.
1. What's your approach on a wedding day?
Some photographers are very hands-off. Some are super hands-on. Most fall somewhere in between. You want to know how they operate before you hand over the keys to your timeline.
Personally, I’m all about balance. I guide when needed, I step back when it’s right, and I stay present with you through it all. Your photographer isn’t just there to snap photos - they’re helping you feel good in those moments too. Ask this question to make sure their vibe matches what you’re looking for.
2. How do you handle the unexpected?
Because let’s be honest, something always goes off-plan. It might be the weather, a vendor running late, a timeline that shifts, or something totally random.A good photographer should be able to roll with it, stay calm, and help you stay calm too. This isn’t a controlled studio shoot - it’s a fast-moving day with no redos. Ask them for a story about when something went sideways and how they handled it. You can also ask how much of their portfolio comes from actual wedding days versus styled or staged shoots. (A staged shoot is when a couple gets dressed up again—sometimes even after the honeymoon - to take more photos in ideal conditions, outside the real wedding timeline.) It’s totally fine if a photographer includes a few of those, but you want to make sure you’re seeing how they perform under real wedding day pressure. It’ll tell you a lot.
3. How do you make people feel comfortable in front of the camera?
This one’s big. Most people aren’t models. And even if you are confident, your wedding day can bring nerves and distractions.
So much of photography is about energy. Can this person make you laugh? Can they make your parents relax? Can they wrangle the wedding party without turning it into a production? Ask this question and listen to how they talk about people - not just photos.
4. How do you work with planners, videographers, and other vendors?
A wedding day is a team effort. Your photographer needs to know how to work with everyone else without stepping on toes.
That includes the planner, the officiant, the DJ - and especially the videography team. As someone who has filmed many weddings myself, I’ve seen firsthand how often photographers forget that video needs time and space too.
"A great photographer understands that if the couple hired both photo and video, they deserve the best of both worlds."
I always make a point to communicate with the video team and make sure their shots, timing, and creative needs are respected. When we support each other, we all do better work. The video team will feel appreciated, their energy will stay up, and the couple ends up with a better film and a better overall experience. Everyone wins.
Ask how your photographer typically collaborates. You’ll learn a lot about their professionalism and mindset.
5. What can we expect from you throughout the whole process?
This isn’t just about the wedding day. It’s about the months leading up to it - the calls, the planning help, the follow-ups, and the delivery after the big day. Ask how often they check in, when you’ll get previews, how fast galleries get delivered, and how involved they are with the timeline. You want someone who’s got your back from start to finish - not just someone who shows up with a camera.
At the end of the day, you’re spending most of your wedding with your photographer by your side. So ask the questions that matter. Make sure you vibe. And don’t be afraid to dig deeper than just “what’s your pricing?”
If you want to ask me any of these, I’d love to jump on a call and talk through them with you. I want you to feel confident and taken care of - whether I’m the one documenting your day or not.
