Top Three Tips From a Recovering Wedding Photographer

Tip One

First, ask to see full wedding day galleries, not just cherry-picked portraits. A photographer’s website might dazzle with golden-hour shots, but weddings are usally flipping marathons— first looks, reveals to Dad, ceremonies, receptions, chaotic family photos, and all.

A complete gallery reveals their consistency across lighting, moments, and emotions. Are the candids as fun to see as the posed shots and did they see that finally after umpteen years Grandma and Grandpa are dancing? Do the reception images hold up in dim lighting? If they can’t provide a full day’s work, that’s a red flag. You’re hiring them for the whole story, not just the highlights.

Tip Two

Second, throw them a curveball: ask how they’d handle a sudden setback, like rain canceling your dream garden ceremony and forcing it into a darker indoor space.

Weather happens—trust me, I’ve had to deal with torrential downpours and blistering heatwaves. See the photo above?  The power cut out at the beginning of their reception and with the help of flash and car lights - yes, car lights - the party went on. 

A pro won’t miss a beat; they’ll have a plan, whether it’s scouting backup locations, mastering off-camera flash, or embracing the moodiness of a rainy portrait. Their answer will show if they’re adaptable or just hoping for perfect conditions.

Tip Three

Finally, dig into their preparedness by asking how they’d handle equipment failure. Cameras die, lenses jam—Murphy’s Law loves a wedding day.

I always carried two bodies, backup lenses, and enough batteries to power a small village. A seasoned photographer will have redundancy built into their kit and a cool head to troubleshoot mid-vow. If they stammer or shrug, they might not be ready for the real-time chaos of your big day.  After all, there's no "do overs."  Even if someone is new to the industry and cannot afford two cameras, it is cheap insurance against failure to rent an extra one for your day.

Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about pretty pictures; it’s about trust. These questions cut through the fluff and reveal who can handle the unpredictable magic of your day. Do your homework, don't be afraid to ask pointed questions (you ARE the client, after all), and you’ll find someone who captures your memories with grit and grace.