Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer (Before You Book)

wedding couple on a tree celebrating with the stunning woodland backdrop

Choosing a wedding photographer (or videographer) doesn’t have to be complicated. If you love the images, they’re free on your date, the package fits your budget, and you actually like the human you’ll spend all day with—you’re 90% there.

To help with the final 10%, here are the 10 smart questions we recommend asking before you book. If someone can’t—or won’t—answer these clearly, treat it as a gentle red flag.

1) How many weddings do you photograph each year?

There isn’t a single “right” number, but volume affects experience, energy and turnaround.

Too few (e.g., 3–4 per year): could mean a side‑hustle or different specialism—less repetition in tricky wedding scenarios.
Too many (back‑to‑back every weekend): risks burnout and long edit queues.

Our approach: we cap at four weddings per month to stay fully present on your day and deliver galleries within our promised timeframe.

What to listen for: a number and a rationale (how that workload supports quality, communication and delivery).

2) Can we see a full wedding gallery, not just highlights?

Portfolios are curated; full galleries show consistency across a whole day—prep, ceremony, group shots, speeches, low‑light dancefloor. If someone won’t share one (with names/links removed if needed), that’s a concern.

What to look for: true‑to‑life colour, flattering skin in mixed light, crisp focus after dark, and storytelling from start to finish.

3) Will you personally photograph our wedding?

Some companies are booking hubs that send a “trusted associate.” That can work—but only if you’ll meet the actual photographer, review their galleries, and have their name in the contract.

What to confirm: who’s shooting, who’s seconding, and what happens if the roster changes.

4) What’s your style—and how much direction do you give?

We shoot primarily documentary (journalistic) with relaxed, natural portraits and true‑to‑life colour. The aim is to be unobtrusive while still guiding you into great light when it matters.

Ask: how they balance candids vs portraits, whether they stage moments, and how they handle family group photos efficiently.

5) Exactly how many hours are included—and what do extra hours cost?

Hours vary a lot between packages. Make sure the start/finish is clear (e.g., “bridal prep to first dance + 30 minutes”) and that overtime rates are in writing.

Pro tip: sketch your timeline now (prep location, travel, speeches length, sunset) to see if coverage fits.

6) Albums, prints & usage rights—what’s included?

Our focus is photography, not reselling prints. We deliver beautifully edited, high‑resolution images and provide guidance on trusted labs if you’d like to print yourself. If you prefer us to design an album, we’re happy to do it transparently as an optional add‑on.

Ask:

Do we receive personal printing rights?
Are images delivered in high‑res & web‑res?
If albums are included, what’s the spec, design rounds, and cost to upgrade pages/covers?

7) What’s your delivery timeframe for the full gallery?

We’ve all heard the horror stories. Our commitment: full galleries within four weeks of your wedding. (Peak season can be busy—that cap of four per month is how we protect your timeline.)

Ask: average and maximum turnaround, and whether you’ll get a sneak preview. Here at Matt Ryle Photography we get you a sneak peek within 48 hours and the remaining gallery within 3 weeks so you can re live that excitement almost straight away.

8) Will our images be available online, and for how long?

Online delivery is standard; retention isn’t infinite. Storing RAW + edited files is expensive and data‑heavy.

Our policy: your private gallery stays online for two years. We’ll nudge you before expiry so you can download and back up to two separate places (e.g., a drive + cloud).

Ask: gallery duration, download limits, and whether you can order prints straight from the gallery.

9) Do you carry backup equipment and on‑site contingencies?

Cameras and flashes are incredible—and electronic. We carry dual bodies, multiple pro lenses and lighting, plus plenty of cards and batteries to keep rolling.

Ask: whether the cameras dual‑record to two cards, and how they light evening spaces.

10) What’s your plan B if you can’t attend?

Life happens. You deserve a written backup.

Our setup: Matt leads most weddings with Bella second shooting; both can lead, and we also maintain a small network of experienced colleagues we can call on in an emergency.

Ask: who steps in, how you’ll be informed, and whether the substitute’s work is viewable beforehand.

Final thought

If you love the work, enjoy the conversation, and the practical's make sense—trust your gut. The best fit is a photographer you’re excited to spend a day with, who’ll deliver exactly what they promised.

Next step: If you’d like, we’ll send a sample full gallery and a simple package + timeline plan for your date. To enquire about your wedding day click here