Planning your wedding is already a full-time job, so let’s make at least one part easy, finding the right wedding photographer. As a DFW wedding photographer who’s been doing this for years, I promise you these questions are the ones that truly matter. If you were sitting right here with me, this is exactly what I’d tell you to ask before signing anything!

Choosing your photographer is more than picking someone with a pretty Instagram. You're choosing the person who will tell the story of your day forever. So let’s make sure they’re the right fit.

1. "WHAT'S INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGES?"
This seems simple, but it’s HUGE. Make sure you fully understand:
How many hours you’re getting
Whether there is one photographer or two
How many photos are included
Any travel fees
Add-ons like albums, engagement sessions, prints, etc.
Every wedding day is different, so you want to know exactly what you’re paying for upfront.

2. "HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?" 
This matters more than anything. Are they:
Candid
Posed
Editorial
Documentary
Or a mix of both?
If you dream of wall-worthy posed shots, a strictly candid photographer won’t give you what you want. And if you love genuine belly-laughs and movement, someone very pose-heavy may feel stiff.
The right photographer should bring your vision to life naturally.

3. "WHEN AND HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY PHOTOS?" 
Turnaround time is EVERYTHING.
If they can’t tell you when you’ll get your photos or don’t have it in writing… that’s a red flag waving in the wind. You don’t want to spend thousands and wait years for your gallery.
Ask about:
Engagement gallery turnaround
Wedding gallery turnaround
How you will receive the photos (online gallery? USB? App?)
This protects your expectations (and your sanity).

4. "DO YOU USE A CONTRACT?"
If they don’t have a contract: RUN.
Like seriously — grab your dress, grab your fiancé, and go.
Contracts protect you just as much as the photographer. It ensures:
What you're getting
When you’re getting it
What happens if something goes wrong
Payment expectations
Delivery expectations
A professional always uses a contract.

5. "CAN I SEE A PAST GALLERY?"
This is one of the most important questions you can ask.
Seeing Instagram highlights is NOT the same as seeing a full gallery, start to finish. When you look through a full wedding day, you can see:
How they shoot in different lighting
How consistent their editing is
How they tell the full story
Whether they can shoot your preferred style (light & true-to-color vs dark & moody)
If every gallery looks consistent, that’s a good sign. If they can’t show you a gallery at all… that’s not.

6. "HOW MANY WEDDINGS HAVE YOU PHOTOGRAPHED?"
Experience matters — especially when things get chaotic (which weddings always do at least a little).
If you’re on a smaller budget, a newer photographer may be totally fine. But if you have a higher budget or want someone who can handle anything thrown their way, experience is key. Know what you value.

7. "WILL YOU BE THE PHOTOGRAPHER ON OUR WEDDING DAY? AND WILL YOU BE THE ONLY ONE EDITING THE PHOTOS?"
Larger studios sometimes outsource both shooting AND editing.
That’s not always bad — but you definitely want to know upfront.
If you’re hiring a solo photographer (hi, that’s me!), you can expect:
One photographer
One consistent editing style
One point of contact
This keeps your story cohesive and your gallery consistent.

8. "WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?"
Life happens. Cameras break, batteries die, people get sick.
A professional photographer should have:
Backup cameras
Backup batteries
Backup memory cards
A solid plan if they have an emergency
A plan for weather issues (especially here in unpredictable Texas!)
They don’t have to have perfect answers — but they should have a plan.

9. "HOW DO YOU HANDLE DIFFICULT LIGHTING?"
This is a BIG one no one talks about.
Your photographer needs to know how to shoot:
Bright midday sun
Dark barns
Candlelit receptions
Colorful DJ lights
Cloudy outdoor ceremonies
And everything in between
Ask to see examples of them shooting in similar environments — bonus points if they’ve photographed at your venue!

10. "CAN I SEND YOU A SHOT LIST?"
It’s YOUR wedding! Of course you can send ideas or a family shot list.
Most photographers (including me) already have a base list, but it’s helpful for us to know what matters most to you — whether that’s specific family groupings, a Pinterest-inspired pose, or sentimental details.
Communication is key to getting exactly what you want.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Asking these questions will help you find a photographer who not only matches your style but also takes your wedding day seriously — someone you can trust completely.
If Tami & Ray asked me these on a Zoom call, I’d happily walk them through every single one… because choosing your photographer is choosing your storyteller.

And you deserve someone who loves your story as much as you do. 💛