By now, you probably already realise that there are some important questions to ask your wedding photographers, but what are they? What do you say? What do you ask?

By now you have probably spent hours reading wedding advice blogs, reading vendor reviews and recommendations. Tirelessly trawling through websites, to choose the wedding photographer for your day.

In case you have not already thought of what to ask when you call or speak to a wedding photographer, we have put together this helpful list of questions you should consider asking your wedding photographers to ensure you get the best wedding photographer imaginable.

Here is the list of questions to ask your wedding photographers:

Are you the wedding photographer, will you be with me at my wedding?

This may sound obvious, but check you are talking directly to the wedding photographer. Before assessing the character the person you are speaking with, check that they are the person that will be handling the camera at your wedding.

It is important to note that some big photography studios comprise of more than one or two professional photographers working in collaboration. Sometimes they outsource or offload jobs to one another. If the photographer cannot attend trade shows they will occasionally employ sales people to represent them - You could be talking to an assistant or business representative!

Availability; Are you available for my wedding date?

Before getting to know the photographer, before asking the photographer what camera they use and well before jumping in to questions about wedding package prices, it is important to work out availability.

It is amazing how many people will set their heart on wedding photographers without checking to see if they are available on their wedding day. Save yourself some heartache and just get in touch quickly. Photographers book years in advance so as soon as you find someone you like call or email - There is no pressure to book, no commitment to buy anything. It just helps you narrow your search.

Wedding photographers love sharing wedding tips, we love chatting to new people. They are usually wedding resources full of useful wedding information - if we can’t help you we may know someone who can.

Can you describe your photographic style?

Photographers are artists. Each individual photographer views the world differently, drawing from their own skill set, experiences, and creativity we record the world using our cameras to convey the beauty we see around us, capturing it with our unique style.

Ask your wedding photographer this question and buckle up your seat belt, you may have just uncorked the creative genie!

Is wedding photography your main profession?

For some, this question is a deal breaker, for others not so much. More often than not, a skilled full time professional photographer will out-perform an amateur. They will be able to produce printed products and get your photos to you in a timely manner but art is subjective. Simply put; employ a professional to receive professional results. You will get what you pay for. Can really entrust a one time life event to a hobbyist?

Are you insured?

It is amazing how many part-time photographers work at weddings without the correct registrations, licences or insurance. This is usually the reason why professional wedding photographers charge so much more than amateurs.

Make sure that the wedding photographer you choose has the proper public liability insurance. This is one of the most important questions to ask your wedding photographers. A photographer who answers "No" should raise alarm bells - in our opinion a deal breaker.

What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?

Valuable information is usually gained by asking your wedding photographers this question. Be warned that you may have uncorked the genie again, but should learn how the photographers values their own service. Expect details about their method, their company ethos, and the unique touches which you may have overlooked online.

What do your wedding photography packages include?

Some wedding photography packages include two wedding photographers, a usb or a gallery. Some include engagement photography. Some include printed photos, and some only include the photographers time with wedding images to be purchased separately.

Each wedding photography business is unique, they offer diverse services, with individual skills and different levels of coverage and support.

Not to be confused with a conversation over price: Asking your photographer this question will clear up what is and what isn’t included in the prices.

What is the turnaround time, when do I get my photos?

Sadly, there too many stories of couples not receiving their wedding photography for years. Whilst some couples demand images the day after the wedding. It is important that you ask your photographers this question to establish a solid time-frame for delivery.

Be aware that that curating your wedding takes time, uploading the thousands of high resolution images on to a computer takes time. Editing and designing an album can take hours. Just trust your vendor to stick to the agreed delivery date and try to be patient!

Some wedding photographers may produce a sneak-peek images within a few days, but expect to wait up to 90 days before you see your images. Also allow time for your wedding album printing, this may also take a few weeks and can only take place after you confirm the design. A professional wedding photographer will have no problem delivering in a swift and timely manner.

What happens if it rains, you’re sick or we need to cancel?

This can be the stuff of nightmares! Ask your wedding photographers about their back up plans, they should offer help and make you feel relaxed. Most, if not all professional wedding photographers will have contingencies for rain (some will even be creative ideas), back up equipment and a support network to cover them if they are sick.

One of the questions to ask your wedding photographers is about cancelling. If you have to cancel check your contract, then call them and explain the situation. You may or may not lose the deposit you paid, it depends on your circumstances.

Do you have wedding photography contracts that I could look at?

Understanding the contract, you are about to sign is vital. Take a copy home, read it, examine it, but more importantly have your photographer explain it to you. Your photographer should be more than happy to read through this document with you and will be happy to help answer any questions you may have.

As with all contracts, there will be sections that seem confusing. Some, but not all, clauses may negotiable, some photographers may even refuse to change any points in contracts. At the end of the day, business is business.

Lastly… What are your wedding photography package prices?

Finally on list of questions to ask your wedding photographers we get to the question about wedding photography package pricing. Sadly, as if we were a just commodity to be compared, photographers often hear questions of price and package pricing first. Until you have spent time forming questions to ask your wedding photographers and have had a long chat, it is impossible to understand the monetary value a wedding photographer places on their service.