When you first start researching wedding photographers, you might think the hardest part is finding someone whose work you love. Then you start looking and realize…
There are a lot of talented photographers out there. All with beautiful portfolios and positive reviews. And that’s when you start to feel stuck, maybe even overwhelmed by your options. You soon realize there are many questions that come up about what to consider before hiring a wedding photographer.
The right questions can make your choice a lot clearer.
After 18 years as a Michigan wedding photographer, I’ve met with hundreds of couples sitting exactly where you are. Here’s what I’d recommend asking (yourself first, then any photographer you’re considering), so you can feel confident in your decision before hiring a wedding photographer.
What to Ask Yourself Before You Book a Discovery Call
Most people think about what to ask a wedding photographer. Not many think about what to ask themselves first or what to consider before hiring a wedding photographer.
Try this before you get on a call with anyone. Pull up a full gallery (you may need to ask for this). Take your time scrolling through it. Let yourself picture being in that day.
Availability and pricing — those are easy to sort out outside of a discovery call. What’s harder to figure out is whether the work genuinely resonates with you. Here’s what to ask yourself before before hiring a wedding photographer:
- Do I feel something when I look at this photographer’s work, or is it just pretty?
- Can I picture my own memories in images like these?
- Do these images feel honest, or do they feel overly performed?
- Would I feel safe being fully myself in front of this photographer?
- Will this photographer care about our people, not just us?
- When I look at this work, do I feel pulled into the day rather than just shown what it looked like?
- Does this photographer seem like someone who’d help us stay present?
- Does this photographer seem drawn to what’s real, even when it’s imperfect?
- Do I trust this person to notice the moments I might miss on my wedding day?
- Am I choosing this photographer because the work is impressive, or because it feels true to what we value?
These questions will help you connect with how you want to feel, not only on the day of your wedding, but years from now when you’re looking back on these photos.
If you’re happy with the answers to these questions, you’re ready to book a discovery call with those photographers who are a yes for all 10.
Making the Most of Your Discovery Call With a Wedding Photographer
A good discovery call won’t feel like an interview. Instead, it’ll feel like an organic conversation. One where you get a feel for who the photographer is and whether they’re the right fit for your wedding day.
The best way to prepare for a discovery call isn’t to have a list of questions to fire off. My advice is to have thought through what matters most to you, so you know what to listen for.
A great photographer who wants you to feel confident in your vendor decision will cover questions like:
1. How would you describe your photography style?
This one tells you a lot about how a photographer sees their job.
Are they talking about light and composition? Or are they talking about the people? A wedding photographer whose first instinct is to describe the emotional experience, rather than the aesthetic, is usually one whose work reflects that.
There’s no “perfect” answer here. What you’re listening for is whether their description lines up with your vision for your wedding photos.
2. How involved are you on the wedding day? Do you direct, or do you hang back?
Some photographers are very hands-on. Staging every shot, giving clear direction throughout, steering the day toward a specific look. Others prefer blending into the background, staying out of the way and waiting for moments to take shape on their own.
Some wedding photographers, like myself, land somewhere in between. A little direction when it helps, but never at the expense of honesty and letting people be 100% themselves.
Start to think about your ideal experience, how much direction you’d prefer, and what you want to come through in your photos. An engagement session is also a really great way to see the photographer’s working style in action.
3. What if something goes wrong on the day of?
Rain. A timeline that runs behind. Difficult lighting.
Experienced photographers know that even the best planned weddings won’t be perfect down to the second. What you want to hear is that they adapt, stay calm, and don’t let the unexpected derail the day.
Because something always goes a little sideways, and how they handle it matters.
4. I don’t want the day to feel so rushed, but I want to make sure we get the photos we want. How do you approach that balance?
This is a question that gets at how a photographer thinks about your experience, not just the photos you’ll end up with.
Asking it early opens up a conversation about timeline planning — something that’s worth doing together, well before the wedding day. (I have a blog post all about building a timeline that lets you breathe here.)
5. How do you approach working with couples who aren’t totally comfortable in front of the camera?
Being in front of a camera all day is something most people don’t do very often. It’s worth knowing how your photographer handles that, and what they do to make it feel natural. After all, your level of comfort is definitely something that comes through in photos.
It All Comes Down to This
What you’re really looking for (after budget and availability, of course) is alignment. A wedding photographer whose work moves you. Whose galleries give you a glimpse into the memories you’d like to make and keep for yourself.
Looking for more guidance on what to consider before hiring a wedding photographer? Check out How to Choose a Wedding Photographer Who Actually Gets You. Or you can check out our Instagram.