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Your wedding photographer: what to decide and ask

A wedding photographer shoots the big moments. They shoot the group shots too.

When couples book this

About 10 months before your wedding.

Still deciding the wedding

Your wishlist

Answer these before you meet anyone.

  • What look are you drawn to in a photographer?

  • About how many hours of coverage do you want?

  • What do you most want delivered?

Comparing your options

What to ask each one

  • Which moments should be photographed?

  • How many hours of coverage?

  • Add a second shooter?

  • What do you want delivered?

How it’s usually priced

Usually priced as one flat amount.

Possible extras: Overtime (per hour past coverage), Engagement session, Album / prints, Second shooter.

Booked and settling details

What you settle once booked

  • Are you doing a first look?

    A first look reshapes the timeline — portraits move before the ceremony, freeing cocktail hour.

  • When do the golden-hour portraits start?

    Your photographer knows the number for your date and your venue — record it here, and the golden-hour block lands on the timeline.

  • Photo usage & sharing preferences

  • The shot list

    One line per shot — the grandmother's toast, the heirloom in the bouquet, the surprise dance. Family groupings go on the family-photo list.

What to look over

Correct these details as needed.

  • Family & group photo list

    Type over a group and it stops updating itself.

  • An hour before sunset in your city

The week of the wedding

The day-of sheet

Confirm arrival, finish, who to call, access, a meal, and what is due.

Across the whole day

Choose which moments to include.

  • Photography coverage
  • Getting-ready photos
  • First look
  • Family & group photos
  • Golden-hour portraits

For photographers

The brief a couple sends you has these sections:

See a sample brief