Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Every detail matters, from the dress you wear to the centerpieces on the tables, and, of course, you want to make sure you have beautiful photos to remember the day by.

That’s why it’s so important to choose the right photographer. Not all photographers are created equal. Some specialize in posed portraits while others prefer a more photojournalistic approach. Some are better with natural light while others prefer artificial light, and, of course, some are simply better than others. How do you know which photographer is right for you? Start by asking them these ten questions:

1. What is your style?

This is probably the most important question to ask. There are many different styles of photography, from posed and formal to candid and photojournalistic. Look at their portfolio and make sure their style aligns with your vision for your wedding photos.

2. What is your personality and shooting style like?

This is arguably another one of the most important things to ask. It is so important to have a photographer who aligns with your values and shares a similar personality. Spending the most important day of your life with a photographer you know and trust can make a huge impact on the flow and mood of the day.

4. Do you have backup equipment?

Make sure you hire an experienced photographer who shoots with backup equipment. Don’t let the most important day of your life go uncovered. Anything can happen, and you want to make sure your photographer has a plan for it their equipment malfunctions.

5. How many weddings have you shot?

The more weddings they’ve shot, the more experience they have and the better they’ll be at capturing all the little details that make your wedding special.

6. Do you have a second shooter? 

A second shooter can be super helpful in getting different angles and perspectives of your wedding day. Many photographers include second shooters in their collections. If you’re purchasing full-day coverage you’ll definitely want to consider it. A second shooter can be a massive stress reliever if you and your partner are doing a first look.

7. Do you edit your own photos?

Editing is an important part of the photography process. Some photographers edit their own photos and others outsource their editing. Either way is fine, but you’ll want to make sure that their editing style matches your vision for your photos.

8. Will we get all of the unedited raw files?

Very few photographers provide raw files. If they do, they typically come at a high price tag. Raw files are much larger than JPEGs, so storing can be difficult and take special software to view. If this is something that’s important to you, make sure you budget for it and ask your photographer if they offer it.

9. When will you deliver the images?

This could range from a few weeks after your wedding day up until several months – it just depends on how busy they are and their typical turnaround time. Most photographers give sneak peeks within a week or two though, so you won’t have to wait long before seeing some beautiful photos!

10. Do we need to purchase an album or buy prints?

Some photographers include an album and/or in their packages but many don’t so it’s definitely something worth asking about. Albums can range in price from $300 – $2000 + depending on things like size and materials, so if it’s something that’s important to you then factor that into your budget when choosing a photographer.

Hiring a photographer can be one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to planning your Minnesota wedding. With so many different styles, personalities and price points out there, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. But if you take the time to get all your questions answered before making your final decision, you’ll be able to feel confident that you’ve hire the right wedding photographer.

Happy planning.