6 important questions to ask a wedding photographer

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There are tons of lists you can find in wedding magazines and blogs about all the questions you should ask potential wedding photographers, but I wanted to clear the air and distill it down to the most important ones (…at least in my mind)!

interracial couple enjoys a private first look in front of a brick wall at the Mt. Washington Mill Dye House
bride and groom listen to the bride's father giving a toast under a sailcloth tent and seated at elegant wood tables

Here are some of the questions I often hear from couples and some that I don’t always hear but feel are very important to ask to make sure you’re extremely comfortable with the person you choose to document your most important and best day (yet)!

ps: you might want to save / bookmark this post to refer back to and share it with your newly engaged (or soon-to-be-engaged) friends!

newlyweds with the bride and groom both dressed in white, joyously exit their ceremony at Main Street Ballroom
bride and groom share a laugh on a windy outdoor wedding day at Harwood Farm

What to Ask A Wedding Photographer at Your Initial Consult/Meeting

wedding party walking in front of the Winslow in pale pink dresses and black suits
wedding party walks through the cobblestone streets in Mt. Vernon, Baltimore, MD

1. To see a full gallery (or 2-3!) …bonus if one of them took place at your venue!

However, be careful… don’t get caught up in thinking “if my photographer hasn’t worked there yet, do I need to find one that has?” Short answer: NO.
Pro Tip: Our creativity is heightened when we visit and photograph at a venue for the first time. Trust me! ;)

Also please keep in mind that your wedding will likely look very different than any gallery we share — as it should! The colors, vibe and/or season may be similar to yours, but in the end, what you’re really looking for is to make sure that the photographer has the ability to document a variety of moments throughout the day with ease: both big and small moments, candids and formals; that they have a mastery of shooting in a variety of conditions: low-lit churches, rain/wind, dark ceremony / reception spaces, etc. and that there is a clear and compelling and real (aka: not forced or overly posed or stiff) story of the day being told through the photographs…

bride and groom share an intimate moment on the red carpet at the iconic staircase of the Sagamore Pendry in Fells Point, Baltimore, MD

2. Will they go on a final walkthrough or visit your venue prior to the wedding if they’ve never been before?

I absolutely will and even if I have photographed there before, I believe it’s extremely valuable and if I can align my schedule to work with your visit, count me in!

bride laughs as groom sees her for the first time in her wedding dress in front of old ivy stone building at Dulany's Overlook in Frederick, MD
couple enjoys first dance at Mt. Washington Mill Dye House as guests and parents watch in a circle

3. How do they direct family formals and make sure not to miss anyone?!

COMMUNICATION! I will share a standard family photo list with you in advance and we will go over it to make sure we have a good understanding of the VIPs in your fam! I’ll also bring it with me on the day of the wedding. Another reason why having 2 photographers is hugely helpful: usually the second photographer will be helping to wrangle people, get them up and ready on deck and keep track of any groupings we need to go back to.

bride walks down elegant staircase in historic farmhouse at Tusculum Farm

4. Do they have trusted vendors they can share with you?

Heck yes! Just ask and you will receive the most comprehensive list (once you’re officially booked with Urban Row)! I only share the names of people I have worked with on a wedding day or during an editorial shoot so that I am confident you will also love their communication style, talent and personality!

jewish couple signs marriage ketubah at Silo Point in Baltimore, MD

5. What makes them different than other photographers?

You can read my reasons here (see the first 3 questions!). ;)

newlywed couple enjoys golden hour sunset portraits on side of pond at stone ridge hollow

6. How do they ensure your images are backed up before they deliver them in case technology fails?

For me, both of my cameras shoot and record the same images to two cards so I always have at least one card to work with if the other becomes corrupt. I also never delete / format the cards until after I’ve delivered your wedding so if for some reason my computer and external hard drive both fail, I will have the cards to go back to. I also back everything up to an offsite third party backup system just as another method to ensure everything is safe!!

view of couple dancing from above within a circle of guests at their wedding reception at The Winslow in Baltimore, MD

I know for most couples, this is your first time planning a wedding and it’s so hard to know what to ask all of your vendors… I love it when couples ask me questions! I’m an open book and happy to share if you’re curious or concerned — just ask away!