We were recently asked by Carats & Cake to share advice for couples who are in the process of hiring a photographer—and I can’t tell you how excited we were to weigh in. All too often, we receive inquiries that include questions that aren’t very helpful or come at the wrong stage of the conversation. This was such a great opportunity to help couples approach the process more intentionally. You read the full story here, but below are a few main takeaways.
“First and foremost, I would keep the list of questions in your initial inquiry very short.”
You’ll also want to build a bit of rapport with whoever you’re reaching out to. A super detailed list right away can feel overwhelming—and may give off unintended type-A vibes! Save some of those deeper questions for a follow-up email once you know they’re available and within budget, and then bring the rest to your discovery call for a more in-depth conversation.
Start with the basics:
Are you available?
What is your general price point?
Share a few key details about your wedding and ask for rough pricing before diving deeper.
The Follow-Up Email—How to Get the Best Photo Examples
Instead of asking how many images your photographer delivers, request to see examples of full galleries. This will give you a much clearer sense of their approach and consistency. Most photographers find it challenging to guarantee an exact image count, as it depends on the flow of the day and the number of details. Quality will always matter more than quantity.
When reviewing full galleries, don’t feel like you need to ask for examples from your exact venue. Another couple’s vision or aesthetic may differ completely from yours, making it harder to assess the photography itself. Instead, ask to see examples from weddings that are similar in feel to yours—outdoor and tented, for example, or indoor and metropolitan.
The Discovery Call
Always schedule a phone or Zoom call for a vibe check. Your photos will turn out so much better if you genuinely like your photographer and feel comfortable spending the entire day with them. Rather than making it a formal interview, treat it as a conversation.
Here are some questions you can ask to start things off:
- What got you into shooting weddings?
- Why do you do it, and what keeps you going?
- What’s your favorite part of the wedding to shoot?
- What’s been your favorite wedding and/or couple, and why?
- Any crazy and/or challenging stories to share?
And Finally—Keep and Open Mind
Don’t stress too much about whether your photographer shoots film. If you love their work and can’t even tell whether it’s film or digital, it’s probably not as important as you think.
It’s also wise to stay flexible with your photography budget. The cost of weddings—and wedding photography—can be surprising at first. Because photography is often one of the first investments couples make, there’s a tendency to hold back. But your photos are the one thing you’ll have forever, so it’s often worth stretching a little to hire the right person to capture your day.
