Scrolling a photographer’s Instagram gallery is just the first step in finding the perfect vendor to capture your wedding day. While creative style and technique play a vital role in the final decision, there are other factors couples should consider before picking a photographer. An honest conversation about experience, pricing, and timelines is a critical step in the wedding planning process because it helps couples find the best person to deliver the results they want.
To help couples select the perfect vendor, here are 10 Questions every Catholic couple should ask before hiring a wedding photographer.
- How many weddings have you photographed?
- Have you ever shot a Catholic Wedding before?
- Do you have a backup plan in case of emergencies? Who will shoot our wedding in the event of an emergency?
- What is your editing style?
- What format do you shoot in (RAW, digital, film)?
- Who will shoot the wedding? Can we meet the wedding photographer?
- What are the costs?
- Can we customize our photography package?
- What is the turnaround time? When will we receive our wedding photos/videos?
- How long will we have access to our wedding gallery?
How many weddings have you photographed?
Experience matters! Your wedding photographer will be following you and your spouse all day long. He or she will be capturing a variety of styles throughout the day including candid moments, portraiture, and photography in low-light environments (like the reception dance floor). This means the photographer must be comfortable with the flow of the day and confident switching between lenses and gear.
Have you ever shot a Catholic Wedding before?
Experience with wedding photography is one thing, but experience with Catholic weddings is a whole other ballpark. Catholic couples will want to hire a photographer who respects the Nuptial Mass and who knows how to work while maintaining reverence for the Church. Especially if there are certain photos you want captured (like the consecration) you need to be sure your photographer understands the structure of Mass. You also want to ensure they are comfortable and confident moving around your parish without distributing the sanctity of the Mass.
Do you have a backup plan in case of emergencies? Who will shoot our wedding in the event of an emergency?
Emergencies happen. Most photographers will have a section in the contract that outlines contingency plans. This might be titled something like, “Cancellation of Services by Company.” It will list qualifying emergency circumstances, as well as the photographer’s responsibility to the client in the event of a cancellation.
What is your editing style?
You can usually answer this question by visiting the photographer’s website and social media pages. You should like the colors, angles, and storytelling techniques of the photographer you plan to hire!
Make sure you also ask to see a full gallery. Wedding photographers show their best work on Instagram, but that’s not the full scope of a photographer’s style and creativity. Peruse a full wedding gallery to see what each part of the wedding day looks like through the lens of the photographer. This will also give you an idea of how many photos you can expect in your final gallery!
What format do you shoot in (RAW, digital, film)?
The format a photographer captures pictures in affects the editing, quality, and final product. Most photographers will shoot in RAW, which means the photos are unaltered when stored. This retains the highest quality for the photo and allows the photographer to edit the image color, tone, and more.
Who will shoot the wedding? Can we meet the wedding photographer?
Based on the size and duration of your wedding, some photographers may recommend a second shooter to capture it. This recommendation is usually a trusted colleague or associate team member qualified to capture your wedding day. If you and your spouse are eager to know who will be behind the camera, ask the photographer ahead of time.
What are the costs?
Inquire about the photographer’s costs upfront to make sure they align with your overall wedding budget. How much does it cost to add a second shooter? Do you offer content creation on social media like Instagram Reels or TikTok? Do you offer video add on? Do you offer film photography? Inquire about these potential customization costs, too.
Don’t forger to ask about any available discounts! For instance, couples who book Four Loves Photo and Film for photography and catholic wedding videography receive $400 off the total package price. We also offer a preferred vendor rate for working with planners we love:
Whatever your wedding photo and film budget is, invest it wisely by choosing the right photographer.
Can we customize our photography package?
Some couples are satisfied with a simple wedding photo gallery, others may want add-ons, like additional hours, rehearsal dinner coverage, or print albums. Ask the photographer if customizations are available, and, if they are, how much do they cost?
What is the turnaround time? When will we receive our wedding photos/videos?
It can take several months for a photographer to review footage, edit photos, and finalize a wedding gallery. Some photographers may even offer “sneak peaks” or “wedding trailers” for couples to tide them over until the final gallery is ready. Save yourself unnecessary anxiety by asking the photographer what the expected turnaround time is.
Couples who book Four Loves Photo & Film can expect their wedding galleries within two to four months. Wedding films, which require more editing, arrive within four to six months.
How long will we have access to our wedding gallery?
The photographer you hire to shoot your wedding will be responsible for capturing one of the most important days of your life. For this reason, clarifying your access to the final wedding gallery is paramount.
Find out how the photographer plans to share the final wedding gallery with you. Ask how long you can access your wedding day photos. Discussing this upfront can save you later. Couples do NOT want to unknowingly hire a photographer who deletes the wedding day footage after a certain period (yes—I have seen this happen before)!
Four Loves Photo & Film couples get access to their online gallery for a contractual 12 months, but, truthfully, we’ve never taken a gallery down. We don’t delete your final footage or photos—ever. Plus, we provide discounts for photo prints ordered through our online gallery platform.
Find the Right Wedding Photographer for Your Sacred Day
Let the hunt for the perfect catholic wedding photographer begin! Use these ten questions to interview photographers before signing any contracts. Have more questions about wedding photography and videography? Submit the form below to ask me about capturing your wedding day!
Joanna Schnitzer is a Catholic Wedding Photographer and Videographer and founder of Four Loves Photo and Film. She is a devout Catholic, wife, and mother with a passion for serving couples on the most important day of their lives. Before pursuing photography full-time, Joanna spent nearly a decade as a Youth Minister at parishes in central Florida.
