This list of questions to ask a wedding photographer is based on our years of experience, detailing our most commonly asked questions and our answers to these questions.
Let’s face it, increasingly, we find photography is an affordable and enjoyable hobby for people to get into, which is great. The days of becoming a wedding photographer only if you had the money and technical savvy on how to shoot using film are long gone. Entry-level cameras and lenses are affordable, and it has never been easier to get involved in photography. Sadly, this means our industry is saturated with inexperienced photographers who struggle to offer what we consider an acceptable level of service and an inability to create outstanding photos in any situation.
Allow our wealth of experience to assist you in your search for a wedding photographer.
We’ve broken down the questions to ask a wedding photographer into four different parts.
- Initial Research Questions To Ask A Wedding Photographer
- Questions To Ask About Your Wedding Photographer – Get To Know Them!
- What Happens During Our Wedding Day?
- What Happens After Our Wedding Day?
We recommend referring to our list of Questions To Ask A Wedding Photographer (or copy the questions that you feel are most important to you) and bringing them to your meetings with potential photographers for your wedding. You might find some of the answers to these questions on their websites. Don’t be afraid to ask these important questions. It’s in your interest to get the answers!
What Questions Should I Ask A Photographer?
Initial Research Questions
The first part of our questions to ask a wedding shooter involves researching a few details about what a photographer does and what differentiates photographers.
You will soon discover that there are a wide range of wedding photographers to choose from and many things to consider; full-time or part-time wedding photographers, how much experience they have, and how much they cost. Are they insured, qualified, and how do they approach each wedding?
A bit of research at this early stage will serve you well.
Why should I hire a full-time professional photographer?
We spend all of our time dedicated to our photography and video clients. Being shooters and videographers is our full-time vocation. We don’t do any other part-time work and love what we do! NOTE: A part-time photographer won’t necessarily provide you with an inferior service. Established full-time photographers like us are full-time for a reason. We provide a dedicated, client-focused, exceptional service and won’t be burning the midnight oil editing photos while in the back of my mind is getting up for my ‘day job’ the following morning!
How do I choose a photographer when there are so many to choose from?
Read our informative guide ‘How To Choose A Photographer – 5 Essential Things To Check‘, then narrow your selection down to a handful of favourite photographers and arrange to meet them one at a time. Make sure you meet the actual photographer who’ll be taking your photos, not their assistant, salesperson or studio owner. This is especially important if you’re at a wedding fair and the photographer isn’t available as they’re shooting photos at a wedding. Take away some details, but arrange to meet the actual photographer and ask them a few of my ‘questions to ask a wedding photographer’ at a later date. Don’t ever gamble by committing to booking when you only meet the sales rep at a wedding fayre! You must trust and get along with your photographer. This means you can rest assured your photographer will create the photos you want. It’s important that you should not only like the photos but also like the shooter! Bear in mind you’ll be in each other’s company for several hours on your wedding day!
Why is hiring a photographer so expensive?
Overall, we agree that the best professional photographers cost a lot of money. Let’s not pretend great photographers are cheap. But being a skilled shooter takes a lot of investment, both in time and equipment. We carry over £20,000 of equipment to most weddings. We work 50-60 hour weeks, editing thousands of photos, and a full wedding film takes several days to complete. Add to that insurance, taxes, advertising, albums, shipping, etc., and you’ll appreciate why paying for professional photography costs money. It also explains why you generally ‘get what you pay for’. Photographers offering budget photography tend to work part-time, use cheaper equipment, have less experience and generally create pictures that don’t compare favourably with higher-end photographers.
How far in advance do I need to hire my photographer?
There are no hard and fast rules here – if you’re not getting married for another 2 or 3 years, then take your time, do lots of research, be sure to refer to the questions on this page and still take your pick of the very best photographers. As your big day draws nearer, your options will become increasingly limited, particularly if you’re getting married on a Saturday during the busier summer season. Your first-choice shooter might not be available if you wait too long. We have a varied client base, with some couples booking two years in advance, most about 12 – 18 months in advance, and each month we usually have at least one last-minute booking. We shoot between 40 and 50 weddings yearly. Still, they’re not all held on a Saturday (the favourite day of the week to get married is Saturday), so there are usually a few Saturdays throughout the year we’ll still be available. Most couples agree that when you find your photographer, you’ll likely know you’ve found the one for you. At that point, don’t wait too long to book; arrange a meeting, ask the questions in this guide, and if you’re happy, go ahead and book. It’s another thing ticked off your ‘to-do list’ and means you can move on to arranging something else. If we’re unavailable for your date, we’ll recommend colleagues who may be available who we know will provide the same quality of photos in a style similar to ours.
What is ‘shoot and burn’ photography?
‘Shoot and burn’ describes photographing a wedding and supplying the images to the client without editing or post-processing done to the pictures. ‘Shoot and burn’ is usually cheaper than mid-to-high-end photographer prices due to a lot less work than a high-end photographer. The photos are often handed over regardless of any errors – forget about correcting poor composition, bad lighting, pimples, doing colour correction, etc. What was shot is what you get. Ask your shooter to confirm exactly what you will receive. If you’re having a smaller ‘off-peak’ ceremony, you’re on a budget and do your research carefully, there are some bargains to be had. Try and get an experienced shooter with a good portfolio of images in a style you like and ask if your photos will be in this style. Ensure you receive a contract and compare the price with other photographers’ prices to ensure you are getting a good deal. Like most things in life, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Ask some of the questions from this page, and you will be better informed. Remember, your big day is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Make sure your shooter is up to the job, regardless of price.
How do I hire a great photographer?
Research, make sure you browse our website, Facebook page and our online reviews. By this stage, you’ll know if you like our style of photography. Contact us to arrange a meeting and take it from there. We don’t do high-pressure sales. There’s no obligation to book – we meet, have a chat and a drink, and even if you don’t book us, we guarantee you’ll come away from our meeting with some useful information about your venue and choosing a photographer! Compare us to other shooters, choosing appropriate questions to ask a wedding photographer from this page for your meeting.
How does experience influence photographer prices?
We don’t offer a ‘one-package-fits-all’ – we’re happy to tailor coverage of your day to ensure you don’t pay more than you need to. If you have the budget for two photographers with all-day coverage and want the very best service, photos and albums available, then we are perfect for you. But our services aren’t exclusive, and we’ll do all we can to cater for smaller or midweek events on a smaller budget. View our wedding photography packages and prices.
How many photographers do I need at my wedding?
Most of our prices provide two photographers as standard (Claire and Jonathon). Two shooters provide optimal coverage of your wedding day.
Do I need a second photographer?
A second photographer is useful as they provide you with many more images and a different perspective. When we work together, we can often cover both you and your partner’s preparations (discuss this with us at our meeting, we need to consider the logistics and timings of your wedding day). During the marriage ceremony, we can cover two angles/viewpoints simultaneously without needing to walk around (often, moving during the ceremony isn’t possible due to the room’s layout). During your drinks reception, one of us can cover the guests, capturing those candid moments while the newlyweds are having their photos taken. One of the best questions to ask photographers is how they prefer to work. You can get excellent results with a single photographer, but almost always, having a second photographer will capture more of the day from different viewpoints. Bear in mind that many photographers offering a ‘second photographer‘ as part of their standard packages are offering someone who will spend most, if not all of the day, working as a photographer’s assistant. This means carrying the primary photographer’s bags, moving tripods/flashes, etc., checking off the photo list and other assistant duties. Check what is on offer, as a photographer’s assistant is not the same as a second photographer!
Questions To Ask About Your Wedding Photographer – Get To Know Them
So you have been researching wedding photographers and now know what you are looking for and why.
The next step of our ‘questions to ask a wedding photographer’ involves discovering more about them, what they do and how they do it. You should find a photographer (or a handful of photographers) who tick a few boxes; they have a well-designed website, a portfolio of beautiful wedding photos, and their pricing is within your budget. Now it’s time to contact the photographer and learn more about them and find out if you are a good fit for each other.
We would always recommend meeting the photographer, though being able to do this will depend on your location, your schedule and how soon it is until your wedding day.
We regularly photograph destination and elopement weddings, where the couple travels to Scotland to get married. Meeting a couple before their wedding day is often not possible, so why not arrange to have a chat via Skype or WhatsApp instead?
The point is you want to get a feel for how you get along with the shooter; you will spend time with this person on your wedding day and want to feel comfortable with them.
If your schedule is tight and you are struggling to meet the photographer, choose a few relevant questions to email to them. The more you know at this stage, the better informed you are to make that important decision to hire your choice of wedding shooter.
Describe your style of photography
Discreet and relaxed, combining mostly natural/candid ‘documentary style’ photos with a selection of classic and captivating ‘wow-factor’ photos of the newly-weds.
Describe your approach to photographing people
Relaxed, friendly, professional and fast. We’ll blend seamlessly into the background, taking photos of the event as it unfolds. At key moments we’ll take a more ‘hands-on’ approach, offering direction where necessary to ensure the photos are taken quickly and smoothly.
What do you think distinguishes your work from other professional photographers?
We create timeless, natural and unique photos, avoiding the use of ‘fashionable’ editing techniques and software/Instagram-style filters that can quickly look dated, focussing instead on clean, colourful and striking photography that will stand the test of time.
How far will you travel to photograph a wedding? I’m looking for a shooter who travels across Scotland, can you help?
Yes, we’ll travel anywhere to photograph a wedding! Travel and overnight accommodation costs may apply if your venue is quite far away from Edinburgh, but we usually won’t charge extra if you’re within 30 miles of Edinburgh.
Are you the photographer who will photograph my day?
Yes, I will personally photograph your event, with my wife Claire usually working alongside me as my fabulous ‘second photographer’. We don’t outsource or cover more than one event per day unless we’re covering a particularly large event and require additional coverage. We take care of it from initial contact to delivering the completed albums. NOTE: Make sure the person who will be your shooter is named in your contract, and make sure the questions to ask a wedding photographer are answered by the person who will be your shooter!
How long have you been a photographer?
Since 2006.
How many marriage ceremonies have you photographed?
We’ve photographed and filmed over 500 weddings in Scotland!
Are all your website photos your work?
Yes. We regularly update our website and blog pages. We create all the photos and videos seen on this website.
Do you cope well with pressure while working?
Yes, we think so, and we’ve been photographing and filming since 2006 and have seen it all. On the day if timings run late, if your beautiful old classic car breaks down, if a guest falls ill, or one of our cameras malfunctions, it’ll be okay (we carry spare equipment!). We’re there to document the day, not to control the day, and if for any reason Plan A isn’t working out, we’ll move on to Plan B. We’re there to work with you on the day. On the rare occasion, there’s a problem on our side of things, you probably won’t even know about it. Otherwise, as a team, in the unlikely event of any other problems, we’ll discuss it with you to ensure the rest of the day goes without any problems.
Do you have photographer insurance?
We have full cover, including Public Liability Insurance, Professional Indemnity insurance and all of our camera equipment is comprehensively insured. NOTE: All suppliers should be insured in case anything goes wrong. This is one of the important questions to ask a wedding photographer or supplier! Some venues may insist that all suppliers are insured, don’t leave it too late to find out your shooter isn’t fully covered. Is your budget photographer price too good to be true? Ask to see original copies of their insurance certificates. If they take a chance by omitting insurance, what other shortcuts are they taking? It is recommended that you also buy comprehensive wedding insurance, as your big day usually involves a major investment, so why take any chances?
What type of equipment do you use to photograph?
We use top-of-the-range Canon cameras, Canon L-series prime lenses and Canon RT series flashes. There’s a bit of a myth that says ‘it’s not about the camera or equipment’. We agree with this a little, but suffice to say that we couldn’t create the photos we create using a basic camera and cheap zoom lens. We could create something similar, but it wouldn’t be as good as we know we can craft with our current gear. Do you want photos of a marriage ceremony shot in a candlelit room during winter? The use of flash will kill the atmosphere. Try shooting without flash using a standard zoom lens and basic camera body (the standard wedding shooter equipment for many professionals). You’ll receive grainy, often blurry photos. By the time you see the pictures, it’ll be too late. Think about it this way, the equipment we use is an investment to give us the tools to do our job properly, promptly, with minimal fuss, in all weather. Our gear can take a beating (ever tried walking down a narrow castle staircase with two cameras slung over your shoulders? Cheap equipment would be broken in a day!). Yes, we take the photos, it’s our critical eye that decides what to shoot, but our cameras and lenses are essentially precision instruments enabling us to get the results that we know you want and will love.
Can I suggest ideas for photos?
Yes, as experienced photographers, we’re happy to meet and discuss this with you. We have our signature style, noted above, but we’re flexible and accommodating.
Can I give you a list of photos we would like you to take?
Yes, we discuss this with you about a month before your big day. You’re welcome to share your ideas; we’ll certainly offer our input and give you a few ideas of our own! NOTE: Make this one of the questions to ask a wedding shooter when you meet, and treat the reply ‘just trust me’ as a warning that you might be dealing with someone who isn’t too keen on deviating from their comfort zone. There’s a fine line between adhering to a definitive photo list to ensure you get pictures of all of your nearest and dearest and allowing your shooter the freedom to be creative and capture those candid shots (which can often be some of the best photos of the day). Ask the question, and then nearer the day, get down to the finer details.
Do you shoot photos in colour or black and white?
All photos are shot in colour, edited, duplicated, and converted to black and white. All our clients receive all photos in colour, plus all the photos in black and white. Some photographers choose a selection provided in black and white. However, we feel that individual images which we prefer to be black and white you might prefer in colour, or vice versa. So have the best of both worlds and receive everything in colour and everything in black and white, at no extra cost to you.
Do you have a portfolio of a complete wedding I can review?
Of course! we currently have more than 300,000 photos of entire weddings in our galleries. Let’s meet, have a chat, and we can show you the most relevant pictures. There’s a chance we’ve already photographed at your venue! We can also show you sample albums containing full wedding days, as delivered to satisfied clients – not just an album with a selection of our favourite photos.
Have you photographed weddings that were similar to mine?
We won’t know for sure until we discuss this with you, but the answer is most likely a resounding yes! We’ve photographed and filmed weddings of every size and at every location imaginable – castles, city-centre hotels, remote Scottish beaches and Registry Offices in Edinburgh and Lothians. The smallest ceremony had just four of us present (Bride, Groom, Claire and Jonathon), and the largest, a traditional Asian ceremony, had over 300 guests. We photographed Indian, Muslim, civil, Humanist, Roman Catholic, and same-sex ceremonies…you get the idea!
Have you ever photographed at my venue?
Quite possibly! We have experience photographing weddings at many venues across Scotland. If it’s a new venue for us and not too far from Edinburgh, we’ll pay a visit before the big day. Otherwise, we’ll thoroughly research the wedding venue and, where possible, arrive earlier on the day to check out locations for photos.
Have you ever worked with any of my other suppliers?
There is a good chance we have previously worked alongside your other wedding suppliers. We always introduce ourselves to suppliers on the day, and we’re great at working seamlessly with wedding venues and suppliers. Don’t take our word for it, check out the positive reviews kindly written by our clients!
What wedding photography packages do you offer?
We don’t offer a ‘one-size fits’ package. Click here for details of our packages and contact us to check our availability. Minimum coverage is one hour, extending to full-day coverage, with our all-day package including a pre-wedding photo shoot.
Can I create a customised photography package based on my needs?
Absolutely! The packages on our website are based on the service we’ve provided to clients for over a decade. If none of the packages ticks all the right boxes, then please do contact us, tell us about your wedding plans and let’s have a chat to get you the exact amount of coverage you require. We’re here to fit into your plans, not the other way round.
Do you include engagement photos with your packages?
Yes, we do. We prefer to call this a ‘pre-wedding photo shoot‘, as most of our clients, have been engaged for many months (or years!), others call it an ‘e-shoot’. The service is the same, though – we meet a few weeks before your big day and spend an hour or two shooting a range of photos of the two of you. We get to know each other a little bit, and you get to experience a professional photoshoot. We guarantee any fears or worries you had about the photography side of getting married will vanish by the time we’ve completed our photoshoot!
Are digital copies of my photos included in the price?
Yes – all of our clients will receive the photos’ high-resolution, watermark-free JPEG files. You’ll receive a download link via email containing the photos in addition to your password-protected web gallery. We still retain the copyright to the photos we create, and you’re licensed to use the photos for personal use. This means that you can share your photos with family and friends, and you can display the photos on your own Facebook page, but you’re not allowed to share the photos with venues, suppliers, etc., without our written permission. We’re usually happy to share photos with other suppliers and venues. Still, we want to ensure that you and your photos are only ever shown at their very best and that appropriate credit is given when a photo we’ve created is displayed or used for commercial purposes.
How many photos will I receive?
You can usually expect to receive between 50 and 100 photos per hour of coverage. All-day coverage (preparations in the morning until dancing in the evening) usually means 600+ unique photos.
How much of a deposit do you require to confirm our booking, and when do we pay you?
We currently require a deposit of £300. Payment of the deposit is due at the time of booking. Until we receive the deposit payment and booking form, your date is not reserved, and we reserve the right to accept other booking enquiries for your date until your booking is confirmed. The balance is payable one month before you get married.
Do you offer a payment plan to spread payments?
Yes, we can accept payment via instalments. We’re happy to discuss this with you, and we can even set up reminders for instalment payments.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept payment via bank transfers and credit/debit card payments via PayPal.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
If we haven’t met and all communication is done remotely, cancellation by you within seven days of booking to receive a full refund of your deposit (Cancellation by you beyond seven days means you forfeit your deposit). The deposit is forfeited if we’ve met in person and you cancel at any time. If you move your wedding date due to unforeseen circumstances, we’re usually happy to switch dates (subject to availability) and transfer your deposit to the new date. In the very unlikely event of our cancellation, we’ll refund in full all the money you’ve paid.
When do I receive a written contract?
We’ll email you an electronic copy of our contract as soon as you tell us you’d like to book us. The electronic contract contains the terms and conditions of business. To book us, sign and date the contract and click send – we’ll receive a copy of the contract via email. Payment details for your deposit are included in the contract. Our booking is complete as soon as we receive your signed contract and deposit payment. NOTE: Don’t book a shooter or any other supplier who won’t provide a written contract.
Can you provide photographer reviews and testimonials?
Yes, this is important. We have lots of wonderful feedback from our clients, available to view both here on our website, as well as independent sites such as Google and Trustpilot. We have a selection of clients who are happy to recommend us should you wish to discuss the service we provided them in more detail.
Can you recommend any sources for tips and advice?
Absolutely! We highly recommend Love My Dress blog.
What Happens During Our Wedding Day?
The next part of our questions to ask a wedding shooter relates to what happens on your wedding day. You’ve booked your shooter for your wedding and the big day is fast approaching. It’s time to have a chat with your wedding shooter and start the final preparations. For many of our clients, we arrange a pre-wedding photoshoot (also known as an ‘engagement photoshoot’) which takes place about 4-8 weeks before their wedding day. We’ll discuss the wedding day at the shoot and cover the questions and information below.
Often, we will meet the couple at their wedding venue in Edinburgh or the surrounding area and have a chat about the day and where we can shoot formal and newly-wed photos.
Suppose your wedding photography package doesn’t include a pre-wedding photoshoot, or you cannot meet us before your wedding day. In that case, we will contact you and request all the information required to ensure that we work seamlessly and efficiently on your wedding day.
Any tips on how to look good in our photos?
Relax and enjoy being with your family and friends. The best advice we can give you is that if you feel relaxed when we take your photos, you’ll appear relaxed in the photos and have a good memory of having the picture taken. If you feel awkward or uneasy when having your photo taken, then you’ll feel the same when you look at the photo. So relax! In the unlikely event that you feel awkward or uncomfortable, we’ll happily move, rearrange or do whatever is necessary to make you look wonderful. Factor in a little time in the schedule to allow for delays – if the bride arrives late, there’s a traffic jam on the way to the reception, or the speeches take longer than expected – you’ll feel rushed and hassled, and that can show in your photos. Try and add time for a receiving line (or line-up as it is known) as this can act as a natural buffer if timings slip. You can always cancel a receiving line to allow more time for photos or mingling with your guests. Importantly, try and relax the night before you get married without having a lot of alcohol – get plenty of sleep and drink lots of water. Wedding day hangovers aren’t ideal for looking great in your photos!
What happens if my photographer is ill and can’t photograph our wedding?
We have a network of photographer colleagues who are full-time professionals and are our first contact should an emergency arise. If we need to call upon a trusted colleague, you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
What information do you need from me before we get married?
About a month before your big day arrives, we’ll email the details that we need – typically timings of the day to ensure we’re in the right place at the right time and the list of group photos. We’ll detail what’s required and when you supply the information, we’ll check it and discuss with you anything that might not be an obvious problem; for example, your venue might suggest timings for shooting the group photos which don’t allow for the number of groups you’d like photographed. We’ll discuss this with you and make suggestions if we feel it will make the day progress more smoothly. Part of the benefit of booking us as your photographers is that we’ll do all we can to ensure your day goes smoothly, including discussing with you on the day and making sure you have the final say in any changes to the schedule.
What time does your photography coverage start, and for how long will you stay?
For as long or as little as it takes to get the job done! If you book us for all-day coverage, we’ll be there to cover all the main parts of your day, from start to finish (pre-ceremony preparations through to dancing) with no clock-watching. If your package includes coverage of the preparations, we’ll arrive with enough time to get the shots needed and move on to the guests arriving at the ceremony venue. We’ll discuss the timings with you before the wedding day. Suppose you have a good idea of the timings at our initial meeting. In that case, we’ll advise you whether your requirements are practical or if we need to tweak the timings or amount of coverage slightly to ensure you get maximum coverage in the time allocated.
What do you wear when photographing my wedding?
We will dress smartly – no jeans, trainers or t-shirts! It might seem a trivial question to ask, but don’t assume all photographers will make the effort to blend in with your guests. Trust me, we’ve recently filmed a ceremony where the shooter wore jeans, trainers and a shirt. To say the photographer looked out of place was putting it mildly! If having your shooter in suitable attire matters to you, ensure this is one of your questions to ask a wedding photographer!
Will my photographer stay later if my timings go behind schedule? Is there an additional charge?
Delays can, and often do, happen at live events like weddings. A small delay here or there can add up over the day, meaning the evening reception/cake cutting or first dance begins later than expected. We won’t usually charge extra if there is a delay in the proceedings, and we’re happy to stay longer to ensure we cover the important parts of your day (cake cutting, first dances, etc.). Significant delays are very rare, but when they occasionally happen may result in a pro-rata charge for extra coverage, and we’re happy to discuss this with you.
Should I feed the photographer on my wedding day?
No, we don’t expect you to provide us with food! Food is always appreciated but never expected. If your venue is in the middle of the countryside and there’s not anywhere convenient for us to purchase food, then we would be very grateful if you arranged a meal and a soft drink for us. If you prefer not to provide food, that is fine but bear in mind we will need to leave your venue to source something to eat and drink. NOTE: Some photographers insist on being fed when you are having your meal and have this as a clause in their contract. We believe that being paid to work and then insisting on food is a little bit cheeky. If you had a kitchen or bathroom installed at home, would you expect the fitter to have a ‘feed me’ clause written into the contract? We don’t feel comfortable with that. Go with whatever makes you feel comfortable and make it one of your questions to ask a wedding shooter!
Do you have spare equipment just in case your camera develops a fault?
We use two identical cameras each, multiple lenses, and multiple flash units…basically, we have at least 2 of everything we need to ensure we can continue taking photos.
What happens to photos if it rains on the day?
It’s fine, don’t worry. It’s unusual to have an entire day of non-stop rain. We always have a ‘Plan B’ for wet weather, as will most venues.
If it’s wet and you prefer to stay indoors, then we’re equipped to shoot beautiful newly-wed photos of you using our portable studio flash set-up.
If you feel brave, we can head outside, even in the rain, and shoot a few photos of you walking together under an umbrella. Some of our favourite photos that we’ve taken have been shot in the rain, so be bold, and if you’re up for it, so are we! The biggest difference will be when it comes to shooting the family/group photos.
If you have many family and guests present, and your venue has restricted space, it might be impossible to shoot a high-quality group photo of everyone. But we can still shoot pictures of the smaller groups of family and friends.
Can my family and guests take photos?
Yes, definitely. We actively encourage people to take photos, and we certainly have no issue with anyone present wanting to capture photos throughout the day. Some photographers object to guests taking pictures during the ceremony (and often during other parts of the day)…we disagree with this view, it’s the most important day of your life, a professional shooter should be able to capture great photos even if guests want to shoot a few snaps of the newly-weds! We’re there to capture a significant and historic occasion, including the guests who happen to be taking photos. As long as you’re happy for guests to take pictures, we’re happy, too! Your celebrant/minister/registrar/priest might refuse to allow photos during the ceremony. Check with them before you book if you feel this is a problem.
How long do formal photos take to complete?
As a guide, we recommend a maximum of ten groups and allow thirty minutes to create these photos. Bear in mind some people will be at the bar, at the toilet or having a cigarette and can slow things down a little, but thirty minutes for ten photos is a reasonable timescale. Ten group photos might not sound much, but if you start with a picture of everyone present, newly-weds with their families, newly-weds with siblings, and one with grandparents, you still have five other combinations to choose from. Don’t go down the route of having every possible combination of every family member present, it’s boring to shoot, it’s boring for everyone present and takes ages to plough through. Keep it short, keep it enjoyable, and then get back to having a glass of champagne and relaxing. Make sure this is one of your questions to ask a wedding photographer, as every photographer is different.
What Happens After Our Wedding Day?
Congratulations! You are now married, and your wedding day was everything you wanted it to be and more. The new chapter in your life has started, but the wedding fun isn’t quite finished. Your wedding photos are being edited and your wedding package might also include a wedding album. What happens now?
The final section of our questions to ask a wedding photographer is about what happens after your wedding day.
Will my photographer be able to Photoshop photos for me?
Possibly. We prefer to ‘get it right’ when we shoot each photo – location, poses, and camera settings should ideally all be ‘just right’ when we take your photos. If your Best Man photobombs us, we’ll re-shoot the photo rather than spend an hour editing the image in Photoshop. We recommended this as one of your questions to ask a wedding photographer, as you need to be aware many photographers will charge extra for extensive editing in Photoshop as it’s a time-consuming process. Our advice? Get it right when you take the photo!
How long will it take to see my photos?
During the off-peak season, January – February, your photos can be ready to view online in about two weeks. For weddings taking place during the busier summer months and through to Christmas, we aim to have the gallery ready to see by your first month anniversary. However, 8+ weeks can be necessary if we’ve been particularly busy/taking into account holidays. We always update you shortly after you get married, so you have a firm idea of when to expect your photos.
Do you provide retouching, colour adjustment or other corrective services to my photos?
Yes, we do. Every single photo is individually checked and edited. The editing can include pimple removal, cropping, and skin smoothing, and always includes image colour correction, contrast adjustment and sharpening. The final editing stage is making black and white copies of all of your photos.
What type of albums do you offer, and how does the album design process work?
We offer a comprehensive range of luxury wedding albums, all handmade right here in Scotland. We design your album using photos selected by you. Most couples receive more than 400 unique photos. We’ll advise you on choosing the photos for your album (explaining how to tell the story of your day with your selection). This allows you to include all the photos you want to include in your album. Add this to your list of questions to ask a wedding shooter, as other photographers prefer to dictate the entire album design process from start to finish. That’s OK, and we’re certainly happy to do this if you prefer to be less ‘hands-on’, but beware, you might receive an album that is missing a few of your favourite photos, as your favourites might not be your photographer’s favourites. When we place the order with the album manufacturer, it takes about ten days for the completed album to arrive with you. UK delivery is included in the price, worldwide delivery is available for an additional charge.
When will I receive my album?
As a guide, choosing your photos to be used to design your album to receive your completed album typically takes between two and eight weeks. When you receive your download link to your photos, we’ll guide you on choosing the photos to go in your album. We think it’s important that you choose the pictures and we design the album. This ensures the album contains only the photos that you want. We’ll then design your album and show you the layout via a PDF file. We’re happy to tweak the design to ensure your complete satisfaction, and then the design is sent to the manufacturer. It then takes approximately ten days for the finished albums to be completed. To summarise, the sooner you select the photos to go into the album, the sooner we can design it and send it to the manufacturer!
Can you put together a slideshow of our favourite photos?
Yes, we can. A slideshow is a popular upgrade that can be edited to music that you choose, and if you prefer, you can also choose the photos to appear in the slideshow, making the show completely personal and unique.
Can I order prints of my photos?
Yes, of course. Your photos will appear on your password-protected gallery, which you’re welcome to share with family and friends. You can order a range of gallery-quality prints directly from your gallery. All prints are created here in Scotland by the UK’s leading print facility (trust me on how good these guys are, for seven years, Jonathon ran a busy print and design business in Edinburgh, we know top quality when we see it!). Smaller prints are usually shipped the same day (Monday – Friday) for orders placed before noon, with larger prints such as canvasses or framed prints typically taking up to seven working days. Our advice is not to let your photos sit hidden away on your hard drive or disk. Remember – one or two wall-mounted prints of you and your beloved on the best day of your life can make you smile on even the most miserable winter’s day!
Will you be posting about our big day on your social media sites?
Possibly, as long as you’re happy for us to do so. We usually post a small selection of our favourite photos of your day on our Facebook and Instagram pages as a little teaser within a few days of you getting married and follow this up with a blog post containing a wider selection of photos of your big day. Remember that sharing a few photos is the key way to promote what we do to a wider audience, and we’d never share images that show you at anything other than their very best. Remember that almost all of our couples’ first impression of what we do is seeing someone else’s photo/s on our website/social media/advertisement. We respect your privacy, and if you’d prefer to keep all of your photos private, then we’re happy to oblige!
Will you be submitting our photos to blogs or magazines?
Possibly. If you’ve indicated that you prefer total privacy, then no, your photos will always remain private. Sometimes a bridal magazine or blog will approach us to ask for images. For example, they might be doing a feature on cakes and ask if we have any unique/unusual cake photos. Or they might require photos of shoes or a confetti shower. Or a blog writer reads our blog post about your wedding day and loves it so much they’d like to feature it on their blog. In these instances, we’re usually happy to share photos, as we get credit for the photo (a credit is a link to our website or our name next to the image), which in turn is a great way to showcase our work to future clients.
Further Reading
Thank you very much for reading this far! We hope you found these Questions To Ask A Wedding Photographer useful. Before committing to booking your photographer, make sure the final questions you ask yourself are:
1. Do I feel connected with this shooter and their photos? Are our personalities a good match?
2. Am I comfortable with this photographer’s work and their communication skills?
3. Has the photographer listened to me and addressed any concerns I might have?
Make sure you also read our guide on how to choose a photographer, then get in touch here, or call Jonathon directly on +44 (0) 7815 517604.
