7 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer (And My Honest Answers)
Hiring a wedding photographer is a big deal—after all, we’re not just there to click a button. We’re with you through some of the most emotional, intimate, and exciting moments of your day.
But how do you know who’s really the right fit?
These questions are a great place to start. They’ll help you get beyond the portfolio and into what really matters: experience, communication, and the way your photographer shows up for you.
Here’s what I recommend asking any photographer you sit down with and how I personally answer each one.
What’s it like to actually work with you on the wedding day?
Why it matters:
Here’s something most couples don’t realize until after the wedding: Your photographer isn’t just documenting the day—we’re shaping how you’ll remember it.
Your photographer sets the tone behind the scenes. Are they calm under pressure? Helpful but unobtrusive? These things matter just as much as the photos themselves.
Trust me, if you’re stressed or simply pissed off because something is going right, it shows up in the photos and that’s all you will think about every time you see them.
My answer:
I keep things easy, calm, and fun. I’ll step in when needed, but most of the time I’m in the background, letting you be fully present.
I typically work with a second photographer and we’re able to document your day from multiple angles, so you don’t just remember what it looked like—you remember how it felt.
How would you describe your approach to photographing a wedding day?
Why it matters:
Style isn’t just about how your photos look—it’s about how your day feels when you relive it.
Some photographers direct the day like it’s a movie set, making sure every moment is perfectly curated and editorial-ready. Others take a pure documentary approach, quietly capturing events as they unfold. Some lean heavily on flash for dramatic portraits, while others use only natural light for a more organic look.
There’s no one “right” way—it all depends on the experience you want and the memories you want to hold onto.
The best way to understand a photographer’s approach? Ask to see full galleries. Highlights are great, but the full story shows how we handle everything from midday sun to packed dance floors—and I’m always happy to share mine.
My answer:
My approach blends storytelling with just enough guidance to keep things relaxed and real. I’m drawn to unscripted moments—the glances, the belly laughs, the unexpected emotion. That’s the good stuff. I want you to be fully present while I document it all unfolding naturally.
When it comes to portraits, I’ll give you direction that feels easy and natural—not stiff or overly posed. My goal is for you to look like yourselves, just with a little extra light and magic.
I use flash throughout the day when it enhances the story—whether it’s creating bold, dynamic portraits or lighting darker reception spaces in a way that still feels true to the moment.
Can we see full wedding galleries—not just your highlights?
Why it matters:
Instagram is the highlight reel. But your wedding day? That’s the whole game.
You want to know how a photographer handles the entire day—bright sun at noon, dim candlelit receptions, chaotic dance floors, emotional family moments, and everything in between.
A portfolio can show you the best of the best. A full gallery shows you consistency, storytelling, and how the photographer actually delivers from start to finish.
My answer:
Absolutely—and you should always ask.
I’m proud of the full story I tell for every couple I work with. A full gallery gives you a real sense of how I document all the different parts of the day—from quiet, emotional moments to all-out celebration.
It also shows you how I handle different lighting situations, weather, venues, and personalities. Every wedding is unique, and I want you to feel confident that I can adapt and deliver no matter what your day brings.
If you’d like to see a few full galleries that are similar to your venue or vibe, just say the word—I’m happy to send some your way.
How much experience do you really need to photograph a wedding?
Why it matters:
Let’s be real—wedding photography is a fun job. And with that comes a flood of people who want in. But here’s the thing: it takes more than a nice camera and a good eye.
It takes someone who knows how to manage timelines, adjust to tricky lighting, guide people through family portraits without stress, and roll with the chaos when things don’t go exactly as planned.
There’s no pause button on a wedding day. No second chances at your first look or your walk down the aisle.
So while it’s totally fair to ask how many weddings someone has photographed, the better question might be: “Do you have the experience to handle whatever the day throws at you?”
My answer:
I’ve photographed over 200 weddings, but my experience with photography runs deep. Before weddings, I spent more than 15 years building my career—everything from small-town stories to major news events, including several years as a team photographer in the NFL.
That time taught me how to stay calm under pressure, adapt to changing conditions, and anticipate moments before they happen—all skills that translate seamlessly into a wedding day.
But more than the numbers or titles, what matters to me is making sure you feel taken care of. I know when to step in and offer direction, when to disappear into the background, and how to keep things moving when plans shift.
No wedding is exactly the same, but that’s what I love about it. I bring all that experience with me—so you can relax and be present, knowing everything’s being documented with care.
How do you handle things when the day doesn’t go as planned?
Why it matters:
Even with the most detailed timeline and best intentions, real life has a way of throwing curveballs. Maybe hair and makeup runs late. The weather shifts. A vendor hits traffic. Or—worst case—an emergency keeps someone from showing up.
You want to know your photographer has a plan for the unexpected—without missing a beat.
My answer:
In all my years of photographing weddings, I’ve never missed one—and I don’t plan to. But I take your trust seriously, and that means preparing for anything.
If something truly unexpected were to come up, I have a tight network of experienced, trusted photographers I’ve worked with for years. If someone had to step in, it wouldn’t be a stranger—it would be someone I know personally and trust to show up with the same level of care, professionalism, and heart.
Bottom line: you’re covered.
(And if you want the full story, ask me about the day my son was born—it’s a good one.)
Curious if your wedding date is available? Reach out today and make sure you don’t miss out on booking your preferred day.
How do you handle family photo chaos?
Why it matters:
Family portraits are important—but let’s be honest, they can also be a little chaotic. Lots of people, tight timelines, and everyone itching to get to cocktail hour? It’s a recipe for stress if there isn’t a plan.
My answer:
This part of the day doesn’t have to be a headache—as long as we prepare. I’ll work with you ahead of time to make sure we’ve got a clear, simple list of the groupings that matter most to you. That way, when it’s time for family photos, we can get through them quickly, efficiently, and with minimal wrangling.
I also put together a full guide to help you think through this part of the day (and avoid the usual delays). If you want the behind-the-scenes strategy I use for every wedding, you can check it out here: How to Get Group Wedding Photos Done Quickly
At the end of the day, it’s not about forcing people into stiff poses. It’s about getting the shots that matter to you—and then getting you back to the celebration.
What’s one thing you wish every couple knew before the big day?
Let’s be honest, there’s a lot of pressure surrounding weddings—timelines, expectations, picture-perfect moments. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to make everything go exactly according to plan.
But here’s what I want every couple to know: It doesn’t have to be perfect to be incredible.
The weather might not cooperate. The schedule might shift. A groomsman might forget his shoes. But none of that will stop your wedding from being meaningful, joyful, and fully yours.
Some of the best photos I’ve ever taken came in unscripted, unplanned moments—the ones where you lean into the realness of the day and just let go.
If you can focus on being present, feeling it all, and trusting your team to handle the rest, I promise you’ll walk away with something even better than perfect—you’ll walk away with photos that feel like you.
