So you have found a photographer you like that is in your price range and is available for you date. What questions should you ask them to make sure they are a good fit?

After being a bride, founder of the Facebook group Colorado Wedding Vendor Blacklist, and a long-time professional in this industry, here are the questions I think you should be asking, and for a few answers why it is important to answer the correct way.

Availability and Timeline:

• How many weddings/bookings do you book in one day? (is there a reason you might be late to my wedding)
• Is photographer set-up time included in our time block or is that time block set for shooting time only?
• How many weddings have you had to cancel/find a replacement for last minute and why?
• Do you help with the day-of timeline?
• How involved are you willing/comfortable with to be with the day-of coordinating?

Skill level and Professionalism:

• Are you comfortable and confident in any lighting condition? (example: going from outdoor to inside, high noon sun, dark lit venues like churches)
• Are you able to switch quickly from one lighting condition to the next?
• Are you comfortable and confident with both on and off camera flash? (this is pretty much required for a good outcome! If a photographer says they are "natural light" only, this is a huge red flag for weddings!)
• Do you have insurance?
• Do you have a list of second shooters that you regularly work with and are comfortable with their proficiency/skill level?
• Were you the lead photographer on all of your wedding portfolio content?
• How much of your wedding portfolio is made up of styled shoots? (this is a new and common way to "fill up"a portfolio with wedding content, but a styled set is a much different setting than an real wedding!)
• Do you have a contract?
• Is the contact negotiable in the event that parts of it are non-applicable or do not fit?
• Do you shoot with one or two cameras?
• Do your cameras have one or two card slots?
• Are you using professional grade equipment, or off brand gear?
• Has your gear been serviced and calibrated within the last year? Where at?

Product and legal stuff:

• If part of a package cannot be fulfilled, what percentage is refunded?
• Are refunds offered for any reason? Why not?
• Is there a timeframe in which my deposit is refundable if I change my mind? (2 weeks, 30 days from signing)
• If refunds are not given, will billable hours be presented to justify funds kept?
• Is gratuity included in your price?
• Does your insurance policy cover damages caused by your gear?
• Is your contract physically signed or signed electronically?
• What happens if you have to cancel our wedding with little time left?
• Is the deposit spent before the wedding is completed?
• What happens if you are unable to stick to the contracted turn around time?
• under what circumstances is the contract voided without funds kept? (fire, excessive and unsafe snow, etc)
• Do I have printing rights?
• What happens if the quality of photos is not up to par with advertised portfolio?
• How many photos can I expect back? Do you limit photo return amount?
• What happens if a member of your staff (second shooter, assistant) is unprofessional or causes displeasure in any way?
• Does your second shooter sign a contract to you?