Wedding Photography is no easy subject and interviewing potential wedding photographers can be a daunting task. Regardless of if you are hiring Larry Miller Photography or another photographer, we have created a list of 20 questions to help you find the perfect photographer for your wedding day.

1. A couple quick questions you should ask before setting up a consultation.

• Do you have my date available?
• Do you travel to my location?

2. What is your photography style?

There are SO many different types of wedding photography. You have photographers that are more modern, dark & moody, classic, completely candid, documentary-style, fine art, timeless, bright – you name it. You should pick the style of photography that fits with the vision you have for your wedding.

Larry Miller Photography edits our photos with bright natural colors using primarily a photojournalistic style. We love to blend into the background to get those natural candid moments, but are also not afraid to take charge to set up shots when needed.

3. Do you have a full wedding gallery I could see?

It’s always a good idea to see a full wedding gallery from your prospective wedding photographer. This will ensure they are able to offer a full product from start to finish and that they are not just showing you the 5 best images from each wedding. 

Click here for an example of a full wedding gallery photographed by Larry Miller Photography: Shelby & Gabe Wedding

4. Do you have testimonials or reviews from past clients?

Any experienced photographer should have lots of satisfied clients who are more than happy to write a review or give a testimonial. It’s also a good idea to search the photographer online and find the reviews for yourselves. 

Here are few links for our reviews: Our Website | Facebook | theKnot | WeddingWire

5. Are you the photographer who will be photographing my wedding or will you be sending an associate photographer?

There is nothing wrong with associate photographers and many wedding photography businesses use them. However, you want to ensure you have seen the work of the photographer who will shoot your wedding and also taken the time to meet with them. This person will be spending your entire wedding day with you and it is SO important to ensure you get along well and this is someone you want to spend your day with.

6. How many times have you worked specifically as a wedding photographer?

Usually couples ask ‘how long have you been a photographer’, but years are not necessarily a good way to gauge the experience of the photographer. The photographer might photograph part-time and only shoot five weddings a year. If that is the case, they may have five years of experience, but have only photographed 25 weddings in that time. 

This question will also help you find out if the photographer specializes in wedding photography or they are “one-stop-shop-photographers”. This is important and similar to physicians in that you can find a general practitioner, but if you have a specific specialty need, you will go to that specialist. Weddings are unique and challenging events to photograph. You definitely want to work with a specialist who has lots of experience in different situations and has been able to perfect their craft.

Larry Miller Photography has photographed more than 200 weddings with over 10 years of experience.

7. Does the photography coverage include an assistant?

There are many moments on the wedding day where it is helpful to have the second person. One big example, getting a photo of the couple seeing each other for the first time. These are moments that could be missed if you only have one photographer.

Larry Miller Photography includes an assistant at no extra charge with every wedding collection.

8. How many other events will your photograph that weekend?

Having smaller sessions (Engagements, Proposals) is definitely OK, but having a photographer that is shooting 2-3 full weddings, without the proper resources, on a weekend could be a problem. This could result in decreased attention to detail, lack of communication and the overall service provided could suffer. In addition, this could delay the turnaround time for you to receive your wedding photos.

9. How will you (and your assistants) be dressed?

Your wedding photographers should look professional and fit in with the style of your event. Jeans don’t quite fit a black-tie aesthetic. Some photographers may specifically ask you what they should wear. Either way, never be afraid to ask if you have something specific in mind.

10. What kind of equipment do you use?

While wedding photographers don’t necessarily need the best of the best, it is important to have a good set of equipment and backups for each item. Nothing would be worse than for the photographer to miss half of your wedding because his camera or lens broke, and they didn’t have a spare. From cameras and lens to lighting and batteries, having backup equipment is the staple of a true professional.

Larry Miller Photography uses top of the line camera bodies and lenses from Canon. Click here to see what’s in Our Photography Bag.

11. Do you bring your own lighting?

Almost all portrait and wedding photographers prefer to use natural light whenever possible. Natural light can be beautiful under the right circumstances. Some photographers will claim they are natural light photographers, but the truth is they are usually natural light photographers because they don’t know how to use lighting equipment and off camera flash. Committing to natural light only, can leave you with fewer options. If you are getting married at a venue with a variety of gorgeous photo spots, several of those spots might be ruled out by a natural light photographer if the lighting isn’t adequate. See example below.

12. Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?

Most photographers will welcome a (short) shot list to make sure you get the specific photos you want. However, don’t overwhelm them with hundreds of requests—if you hire a good pro, you’re hiring them for their eye as well as their experience creating amazing albums, so let them do their job.

Larry Miller Photography schedules a pre-wedding consultation with every couple before their wedding day to go through their shot list and help with timeline creation. This ensures we know what is important to you and can get everything you want captured. Feel free to share any “Pinterest” ideas with us!

13. Will a contract of the services be provided? If so, can I get a copy?

Be wary of photographers that don’t require a contract to be signed. No professional photographer would book a wedding without having a contract. The contract should detail what services will be provided, cover the ‘what-ifs’ and what is expected from both parties. A contract is created to protect both the client and photographer, as well as ensuring everyone is on the same page with how things will be handled. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and ask to review the contract together.

14. What about a backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding for some reason?

While it is unlikely that the photographer happens to get ill or has an emergency on your wedding day, there is still a chance. It is crucial that your photographer has plans in place for this rare situation and you agree with the way this will be handled. 

15. Should my event last longer than scheduled, will you stay? Is there an extra charge?

It is critical for you to know your photographer’s policy on overage. You don’t want to be surprised when your wedding photographer asks for an additional $500 before they give you your wedding phtoos. You also don’t want your wedding photographer to just pack up and leave when their time is up if they haven’t captured everything you wanted.

Larry Miller Photography has never sent a surprise invoice after a wedding or session. 

16. Do you have insurance?

While insurance protects the photographer against broken equipment or theft, most importantly for you, it provides liability protection while the photographer is working at your wedding. If a wedding photographer does not have insurance, chances are they are new to the industry or are not a professional photographer. Some venues may even require proof of this insurance, so be sure to ask for a vendors license and proof of insurance before signing with your photographer.

Larry Miller Photography carries both equipment and liability insurance for our wedding photography and photo booth company. 

17. Will my photos be edited?

Some photographers will not edit any, or will only edit “select” images from your wedding. This is incredibly important to know because editing can take a good photo and elevate it to a work of art you want to hang on your wall.

Larry Miller Photography edits ALL images we deliver to make sure each and every image is a professional quality product.

18. Do we get print release with our photos? Can we share them on social media?

Full print release is what most couples are looking for. This allows you to print photos for personal use or post photos on social media. Some photographers may only give you low resolution photos or photos with watermarks on them unless you pay extra for full print release. Be sure to ask follow-up questions to better understand the rights you will have with your wedding photos.

Larry Miller Photography does not watermark photos and gives all clients high resolution, edited images with full print release at no extra charge.

19. How long will it take before I receive my photos?

Each wedding photographer varies in the time it takes to produce and deliver your pictures. Photographers that do not do any post production or color correction/editing may try to entice you by saying your photos will be ready within the week, or even the next day. Most professional photographers will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months.

Larry Miller Photography has developed a consistent production schedule in order to deliver an amazing product in an exceptionally quick manner.

This schedule can be seen below:

• 1-3 Weeks for Engagement Sessions
• 1-2 Days for Wedding Sneak Peek
• 3-6 Weeks for full day Weddings

20. How will my images be delivered?

Larry Miller Photography delivers all photos via online gallery & USB drive. Our online gallery makes it so easy for clients to share their photos with family and friends, allowing them to download or purchase images independently. 

We also offer many various options: Prints, Canvas, Metal Prints, Albums, Ornaments and much more. You can see another example online gallery of a full wedding here: Julia & Zach Wedding