Booking a San Diego wedding photographer can be a huge decision, and your confidence with that decision can be improved significantly if you know what questions to ask. If you come across a photographer whose work you like, consider the following questions when you have your initial consultation with them.

Interested in booking with Ally Rose Photography? Contact us here.

What Is Your Experience With Wedding Photography and How Would You Describe Your Style?

An experienced wedding photographer is paramount to getting the story of your day captured perfectly. Weddings are complicated to shoot because every moment only happens once. Having a team of great photographers will ensure every moment is able to be relived forever.

When asking a photographer about their personal photography style, think first about what style you’re looking for to see if your visions align. Below are some examples of photography styles many of our wedding clients at Ally Rose Photography appreciate:

• Warm
• Candid
• Vintage
• Creative
• Editorial
• Documentary
• Whimsical
• Cozy

How Many Hours Do You Usually Book For and What Is Your Rate?

When figuring out your budget, it’s best to do research on typical wedding photography pricing in your area so you can have realistic expectations of what your budget can get you. Some photographers are flexible with their time and others are not. It is important to make sure that if you have an elaborate wedding day, that you hire a photographer with the team and experience you can rely on, which can sometimes mean increasing your budget.

If you are looking to take engagement photos too, bundling engagement and wedding photos could save you money as part of a package deal. Consult your potential future photographers about their rates and their work to find one that matches what you are looking for.

Can I See Your Previous Wedding Galleries?

Looking at a photographer’s previous work is a great way to learn about the quality of their work and their style. Paired with a Pinterest board, looking at a photographer’s past wedding photography can give you an idea of how you will want your wedding day to look in picture form and what to expect from your photographer.

Will You Be Shooting The Wedding Alone or Do You Have a Team?

A few photographers are great at shooting alone and if their albums prove the quality of their work, they can be a great option at often a lower rate. However, with a larger venue/wedding size, having multiple photographers on the job can guarantee that moments from every aspect of the wedding are captured– particularly the ones that may be not front and center but still carry a lot of emotion.

This will ultimately be up to your budget and the scope of your wedding day, but a photography team is a serious consideration if your day is on the elaborate side.

How Far in Advance Do I Need to Book?

Booking as far in advance as possible is always helpful. Often, the earlier the better! If booking for a spring or summer wedding, booking roughly a year in advance should give you access to booking a talented wedding photographer. If it is a destination wedding, you may want to book even earlier than that and anticipate paying for the photographer’s travel accomodations.

How Do You Adjust for Harsh Lighting Conditions?

Shooting a wedding can take place in a multitude of different settings. Each setting provides a list of pros and cons. A good photographer will have a variety of different equipment, such as a flash and reflectors, to bounce light and ensure the perfect shot. It’s recommended that you schedule your wedding portraits around sunset for the most optimal results, and always loop your wedding photographer into the timeline conversation for your wedding.

Do You Have Any References From Past Clients?

Check reviews on Yelp, Google, and other websites to see what clients have said about a photographer’s work. These references can highlight not only the quality of the wedding photographer’s work, but also the personality of the photographer which is equally as important.

Do You Have a Backup Plan In Case Something Comes Up?

You only have one wedding day, and if a photographer cannot make it for some unforeseen circumstance, ensure your wedding photographer will have a replacement standby and understands how important this day is to you. The same applies to backup equipment, weather inconsistencies, and any unanticipated event standing in the way of your day.

What Is Your Advice To a Couple To Ensure They Can Get The Best Possible Wedding Photos?

The photographer is key to great photos, but so are the subjects involved. A personal and easy going couple, and their guest, makes a wedding photographer’s job easy. Be open to input from your wedding photographer, they are experienced professionals who want to produce the best possible product for you!

How Long After The Wedding Will It Take Before We Receive Our Wedding Photos?

Photography is more than just taking pictures. Editing each photo to get the desired style and effects can be an even larger task than shooting the wedding. Most wedding photographers will get you a finished album within a month, which is always our goal at Ally Rose Photography, but it is crucial that you expect that a photographer will need time to curate your album into its final form. In the same breath, wedding photos should not take more than a month unless you are patient and do not mind an extended timeline.