You're about to hop on a call with your potential wedding photographer. So, you pull up google and type the words "what to ask wedding photographer" into the search engine.
How many photos do you deliver in a final gallery?
So here's the thing, this question is actually OKAY.
The issue is that when you start collecting numbers from various photographers you can automatically want to opt for the photographer with the biggest gallery. However, this is where quality vs. quantity comes in. Don't be tricked by higher numbers, actually compare the full galleries and judge how they make you feel.
You know when you watch a movie that was 3+ hours long, and you're just like....I feel like they could have gotten to the point in a more clear and enjoyable way in 2 hours or less?
Think of your wedding gallery the same way.
Art galleries are designed around carefully curated pieces of work, and your wedding gallery should be as well. If you want 20+ photos of your cake, or 200+ photos of people dancing, maybe opting for a gallery from a photographer who delivers that is best for you.
However, the average full day wedding coverage deliver is between 300-600 images. ESPECIALLY if your photographer is shooting film, your overall gallery numbers will be on the lower end (300-500) due to the sheer process of shooting & development.
Your photographer edits and delivers at the discretion of how they want the final product viewed and experienced. It's important to note the experience you have when opening and viewing the galleries they send you, and not just what's inside.
How long have you been photographing weddings for?
This question makes sense at its core, because you want to hire someone you trust has experience. However, don't let the answers lead you astray. 10 years, sounds great! But is that from the first wedding they ever shot, and they've just recently picked up the camera again this year?
The more effective question to ask would be:
"How experienced do you feel you are in a range of lighting situations and interacting with other vendors?"
A photographer who has been in the industry, and has valuable experience (even if it's only 3-4 years) will have the right answers to these questions. These questions can make or break the way your final gallery ends up looking if you have a dark reception room and they struggle with flash, or have to change your ceremony space because it started raining out. This applies in the same way to their co-operation with other vendors. Someone who is unable to collaborate with other vendors successfully can cause issues in how your day is captured, on both their end and the other vendor. Vendors who can work with one another produce amazing work, as well a mutual trust. Check to see if they provide a "Recommended Vendor List" of people they've worked with.
Tell me about yourself...
If you ask your photographer why they think they're the best, they're going to tell you, but they should have an "about" page on their website for that anyways!
Ask them instead for a link to their reviews (google) and see if there is spot on their website featuring reviews from real couples.
These reviews will give you an honest look at how the experience with your photographer felt, as well as how the final product held up. There is nothing more valuable than real, honest reviews, make sure your photographer has lots of these to provide happily!
What is your process beginning to end?
This can sound like a lot of impressive word jargon, while actually saying nothing to couple who doesn't know which part of the process is actually valuable to them.
Try asking your photographer:
"What is your process when getting to know your couples, and what do you value when delivering your galleries?"
This more directly asks the photographer what systems they have in place to get to know their couples, vs. treating them as "just another booking".
This connection is something that is extremely valuable in a client & photographer relationship.
Photographers are with you ALL DAY on your wedding, as well as hours at your engagement session. They are talking to your family and friends, and it is so important they care to invest in getting to know you two as a couple and what/who matters to you most so you can see a refection of that in your gallery.
Asking what your photographer values in delivering their gallery will give you an idea of of the "style" of photography they resonate with. They may say they want their couples to feel nostalgic, emotional, intimate...find a photographer that describes how you want to feel when you're looking through your gallery.
Is it okay if I send you photo inspo?
Often times this question is asked fearfully by couples wanting to send over a Pinterest board. Your photographer will hopefully say yes, at which point they may express their love for it. However, while the inspo is welcome, sending it before booking doesn't actually give you any information about if the photographer can produce what you're looking for. If you have a very specific look you are looking for, try asking:
"Can you send me any wedding galleries you've shot that you feel has a similar vibe to these photos (ink to your inspo)"
Now you can directly compare if they have produced anything similar to what you're looking for, or if they can offer other options of sessions that serve the same vibe you are looking for, such an engagement session.
How many weddings have you photographed?
This answer can be misleading. Have they shot a bunch as a second photographer, but never on their own? The number doesn't matter, rather than the amount of success (reviews) and quality product they have produced during their time in the business. Instead, a better question to ask would be:
Why do you photograph weddings?
This will say more about them as a person and how they treat their business and clients than giving you a number of weddings they've shot (that may or may not be true).
But make sure to still do your research checking out the galleries they've sent you, their website, and of course, reviews, you'll be able to tell who is trustworthy whether they've been shooting 3 or 20+years.