You’ve been scrolling through Instagram for approximately 847 hours, saved about a million wedding photos to your “inspo” board, and now you’re ready to book a photographer. But hold on a second; before you sign that contract and hand over your deposit, you need to have a well-informed Q&A session. Here are 11 questions to ask your wedding photographer to save yourself from potential disasters.

1. What’s your game plan if there’s a power cut?

Power cuts happen, especially at outdoor venues. And sometimes, the mandap lighting is just…tragic. Does your photographer carry portable lighting equipment? Do they know how to shoot in low light without making you look like a grainy mess? Can they adapt quickly when the electricity decides to take a break during the saat phere? This answer will separate the professionals from the amateurs really quick.

2. How do you keep couples comfortable in front of the camera, especially the ones who freeze?

Not everyone’s a natural in front of the camera. Some of us turn into awkward, stiff versions of ourselves the moment a lens points our way. What’s your photographer’s approach? Do they give you prompts and directions? Will they crack jokes to loosen you up? Do they create moments rather than just capture them? You need someone who can make you feel relaxed enough to be yourselves, not just two people posing uncomfortably.

3. Will you be the one shooting, or do you delegate to your team?

This is absolutely necessary. You’re booking a photographer based on their portfolio and style, but if they’re going to send their assistant or team member to shoot most of your events, you deserve to know that upfront. Which events will they personally cover? Who else will be shooting? Can you meet the team beforehand?

4. Have you got backup equipment in case something fails?

Indian weather can be brutal on both humans and equipment. Does your photographer have backup cameras, lenses, and batteries? What’s their plan if a camera overheats or fails? You need someone who’s prepared for the reality of outdoor Indian wedding photography.

5. Can you show me a full wedding album and not just your highlight reel?

Anyone can make 30 photos look spectacular. But what about the other 1,970 photos they’re delivering? Ask to see a complete wedding from start to finish. This will show you their consistency, how they handle less-than-perfect lighting, and whether they capture all the small moments or just the obvious ones. Don’t go by their Instagram-perfect shots – you need to see the reality of their full delivery.

6. What’s your actual timeline for delivering photos, and what happens if you miss that deadline?

“Six to eight weeks” sounds reasonable until it becomes six months. What’s their track record? Is there a penalty if they’re late? How do they prioritise editing during wedding season when they’re shooting every weekend? Get specific dates in writing.

7. Do you have a signature style of editing photos, or do you customise based on mood and outfit tones?

This is one of the most important questions to ask your wedding photographer because some photographers have a one-size-fits-all editing style. Everything gets the same moody, desaturated look or the same warm, golden treatment. But what if your mehendi outfit is bright pink and your reception outfit is emerald green? Will they adjust their editing to complement your outfits and the mood of each event?

8. Who owns the raw files, and can I purchase them if I want to edit photos myself later?

Some photographers are possessive about raw files; others don’t mind sharing. If you have a specific vision or plan to re-edit photos in the future, this matters. And whilst we’re at it, what about the photos they don’t deliver? Can you access them?

9. How do you handle last-minute changes to the schedule?

Indian wedding timings are more like gentle suggestions than actual schedules. Your 7 PM ceremony might start at 9 PM. Your photographer needs to be flexible, patient, and still deliver quality work even when they’ve been shooting for 14 hours straight. How do they manage this realistically?

10. What’s your experience with destination weddings, including managing your own logistics?

If you’re planning a destination wedding, your photographer needs to be self-sufficient. Can they arrange their own accommodation and transport, or will you need to arrange this? Have they shot at your venue before? Do they know local backup vendors in case of emergencies?

11. What’s one thing couples usually forget to discuss with you and make a fuss about later?

This question is absolutely brilliant because it gives your photographer the chance to tell you what really matters from their perspective. Maybe it’s the importance of a shot list for family photos. It could be discussing the timeline realistically. It could be about meal arrangements for the crew. Whatever they say will give you insight into what makes a wedding shoot run smoothly and what issues you might not have even considered. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in making this a collaborative process, which any good photographer will appreciate.

So, go ahead and ask those difficult questions. Any wedding photographer worth their salt will appreciate your thoroughness and will answer honestly. The ones who get defensive or vague? That’s your cue to walk away.

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Related: Don’t Book That Wedding Venue Until You Have Answers To These 15 Questions