Are you planning a wedding and not sure what you should be asking your potential photographers? I understand that it can be totally overwhelming at first with so many options to choose from but not to worry! Here are the top 10 questions you should ask to help decide who you would like to capture your day.

1. Are you available on my date?

Wedding photographers can be booked up to two years in advance so it’s always important to ask whether they still have your date available. If there’s someone you’ve had your eye on and would really like to photograph your day don’t hesitate to get in touch as soon as you have your date set to ensure you don’t miss out.

2. How would you describe your photography style?

Before you even begin contacting photographers you should look through some portfolios and consider which style of images you like. Do you like light and airy or darker and moody? Do you want natural, relaxed photographs or would you prefer to be told how to pose? Each photographer will have their own style so it’s important you find someone who aligns with your preference.

3. Can I see a full wedding gallery?

Often when viewing a photographer’s work on their website or social media you are seeing a carefully curated portfolio of their very best images. Of course, this is great to see their style and quality however it can be helpful to ask to view a full wedding day gallery to get an even better idea of what to expect from them.

4. Do I need to cover travel costs?

If not obviously mentioned in a photographer’s pricing guide, it’s important to double-check whether there will be any additional travel costs. Most wedding photographers will have a set distance in which they will travel for free so it’s useful to know whether your venue is within this distance. Almost all photographers will be happy to travel throughout Scotland and further afield however if you’re holding your wedding in the highlands or islands and hiring, for example, an Edinburgh based wedding photographer then you may be charged for a night or two of accommodation as well.

5. what deposit is required to secure our date and when is the remainder due?

It’s a good idea to find out what payment terms are required by your photographer so you know what to expect and can budget for when payment is due. It’s very common for a deposit to be asked for at the beginning to secure your date, this can be a percentage of the overall package cost or a set amount.

6. What is your cancellation and refund policy?

One of the most essential pieces of information to find out before you proceed with booking is your photographer’s cancellation and refund policy. Fully read through your contract before signing to ensure that you understand the terms you’re agreeing to.

7. How and when will our images be delivered?

It often takes several weeks after your wedding day for your photographer to edit your images. If a delivery time hasn’t been specified it’s worth asking so you know when to expect them. How you will receive your images is something to consider. Will you receive them via an online gallery, USB, prints or even an album?

8. Do you have insurance?

As a minimum, all professional photographers should have public liability to ensure they’re covered if they cause an accident or injury while working at your wedding. Sometimes your venues may even ask for proof of this. If your photographer isn’t insured, this is considered a red flag.

9. Do you have backup equipment?

A photographer’s worst nightmare is the idea of losing images from a wedding day or having their equipment malfunction. Any professional photographer however should already be prepared with a backup plan should something go wrong. This can be as simple as them bringing a spare camera or shooting to two memory cards at once which some cameras allow.

10. will there be a second photographer or assistant on the day?

Every photographer works differently so it’s helpful to check how many photographers are included with your package. It’s usually just one so if you want a second photographer to cover more of your day it’s worth discussing this with your photographer from the very beginning as there’s likely to be an additional charge. While it’s not so common, some photographers may also bring an assistant with them so it can be useful to know if there will be an additional person around.