Liking a photographer's portfolio is step one — it's not the whole decision. Here's what to actually ask before you commit.
About their coverage
- How many hours of coverage does this package include, and what happens if we need more?
- Is a second shooter included, or available as an add-on?
- Do you shoot solo weddings of our size regularly, or do you typically bring a team?
About the timeline
- How do we build the day-of timeline together — is it a shared, collaborative process, or do you send us a template to fill out alone?
- How close to the wedding do we finalize it?
- What happens if the timeline needs to change last-minute (weather, a delayed ceremony, etc.)?
About payment
- What's the retainer amount, and is it refundable under any circumstances?
- When is the balance due — before the wedding, or after?
- Is there a clear, written payment schedule, or is it tracked informally?
About delivery
- What's your typical turnaround time for the final gallery?
- Do we receive edited images only, or can we also get raw/unedited files?
- How long do you keep our photos backed up after delivery?
About the unexpected
- What's your backup plan if you're sick or unavailable on the wedding day?
- Do you carry business insurance?
- Have you shot at our venue before, or are you comfortable scouting it in advance?
One meta-question worth asking yourself
After the call or meeting, ask: did they answer these clearly, or did I have to pull the details out of them? A photographer with clear, confident answers to all of the above usually has genuinely solid systems behind their work — not just a nice portfolio.
Camrhia gives you a shared, always-current view of your timeline, payment status, and contract — no guessing required. See how it works →