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I don't know why, but most couples I meet up with here in the San Francisco Bay Area have almost no questions for me aside from Are You Available and What Do You Charge – both of which are answered well before we meet up (best way to start is to tell us about your plans here). I suppose this is due to the ease of narrowing down prospective photographers by checking out portfolios and reviews online, and the actual face-to-face is reserved for Do I Like You or Not. This is all well and good, and saves everyone a ton of time, but I feel there are still plenty of questions couples should be prepared to ask their potential wedding photographer, some of which may save them a lot of heartache later. And because a list of questions is useless unless you can qualify the answer as good or bad or neutral, I'm supplying my take on why each question is important, and how I personally deal with each issue.

Is this list self-serving? To a degree, of course it is – but that in no way takes away from its usefulness for couples struggling to pick the best wedding photographer for their specific needs and budget. These questions are in no particular order of importance, and I will add to this list as I think of important new topics to cover.

p.s. "tl;dr" is internet-speak for "Too Long, Didn't Read." In other words, it's the short answer to each question. 

Best Questions to Ask Your Potential Wedding Photographer

Are you the photographer that will be shooting my wedding?

Important Because: Many successful photographers have "associate" photographers that will shoot for them when they're already booked for a wedding date. I'm completely up front when I'm already booked, I would never give someone the impression I'd be their photographer and then send someone else in my place. When I use GoodEye Associate photographers, you can expect the same level of quality and service – if you like what you see here, you'll love what we can do for you. Barring an Act of God, you can count on me being there for you every step of the way. And if something should happen – my experience and professional contacts in the industry mean I am well positioned to send a qualified pro in my place.

Will you book other events on the same day as mine?

Important Because: Whether your wedding is two hours or sixteen, you want to ensure your photographer is focused solely on your big day. I make it a point to arrive in the vicinity (especially for out of town weddings) hours ahead of schedule, just to make sure traffic or other hazards don't impede my ability to arrive on time.

What's your working style?

Important Because: If a wedding photographer is on the shy end, or perhaps more used to being a "second shooter" over the primary photographer (another great question!), they may feel more in their comfort zone along the periphery of your wedding – taking photos from the sidelines and not interacting as much with the guests. I don't suggest the alternative means the photographer is in your face all day, but there should be a good blend of discreteness, casual interaction, and stepping up to direct large groups of people when necessary. There are many different types of photography that come into play in a typical wedding – posed formals, fleeting candid moments, photojournalistic fly-on-the-wall coverage, architecture, food – knowing your photographer's style and approach to all these facets of your wedding will help you make a more educated decision.

tl;dr: I have a ton of experience in the magazine industry, so I suppose it's natural that people say my photos have an editorial/magazine cover feel to them – dramatic, artfully composed and lit formal portraits blended with spontaneous, interactive candid captures pretty much describe the GoodEye style.

Are you insured?

Important Because: Many venues require vendors to have liability insurance (I am covered for two million). This is also another sign of a full-time pro who takes the responsibility seriously.

Do you have backup equipment?

Important Because: Stuff breaks, especially when you're a pro using the equipment heavily day in and day out. I have several layers of backup cameras, memory cards, flashes, etc. Whether you have a small wedding or a huge one, I bring all the stuff I'd potentially need in my vehicle, ready for any potential hazards or mishaps. If your potential photographer only has one camera, run away. Fast.

I have a friend / aunt / uncle who wants to take pictures too – is that okay?

Important Because: Some photographers will have a clause in their contract prohibiting this very thing. My personal opinion is that this is totally OK – I'm even happy to give them tips on whatever gear they're using. I only ask that while I'm taking family formal pics, nobody else does so at the same time – ensuring all eyeballs are on one camera – mine!

Do you shoot color and black and white?

Important Because: You should know what to expect from your photos, and what your options are. When editing photos after a wedding, I pick whatever style I think will work best for that photo, and edit appropriately. I won't overwhelm you with multiple versions of each photo (you're already receiving a ton!), but if you'd like to see a color version of a black and white photo (or vice versa), I'm happy to do so at no charge (within reason of course).

Why would I pick you over all the other photographers out there?

Important Because: Any professional should be well aware of what sets them apart from the many professionals saturating the wedding photography market. For me, it's a perfect blend of my graphic design / magazine industry background, expert use of photography / lighting / editing, fascination with technology in general, passion and empathy for fellow humans, good humor and low-stress attitude that have led to my hundreds of blown-away clients and stellar reviews.

tl;dr: Our clients go with GoodEye because they know they're investing in peace of mind; they're hiring experienced professionals they can rely on to artfully and thoughtfully capture the whole wedding day while also lowering the stress level of everyone around them. There's a reason family, guests and the bridal party can't stop raving about us before the party's even over. We really give a damn about your wedding, period.

Are there any hidden fees?

Important Because: This speaks for itself – we believe in full transparency before, during and after we work together. We have a great reputation to maintain, and tricking people with "gotchas" would hurt us much more than any short-term financial gain would justify. If there's a potential for extra costs (like extra coverage or file purchases), we're very up front about it in our contracts.

Can we upgrade the terms of our contract between booking and the wedding day!

Important Because: When you're booking your venue and photographer a year+ out, you rarely have a solid timeline to work off–so you likely don't really know how many hours of coverage you need. The most important thing is booking the photographer you love as soon as you have the date. I am super-flexible with this – and for brides that aren't sure about timing, I strongly suggest booking our base package just to reserve the date. As time goes by and the planning starts to become more solid, we can easily upgrade to a different package option if needed. Additionally, we always make ourselves available the full day if you need us to arrive earlier or stay later than planned. If you need to add an additional photographer to your package, we can only guarantee that with two weeks advanced notice before the wedding day.

What if you can't show up on the wedding day because you...died (or are otherwise incapacitated)?

Important Because: Jeesh, it's a morbid question I know – but I get this one a lot. Here's where hiring an experienced professional works in your favor: we are in a better position than, say, a part-time or new photographer to replace ourselves on your wedding day. I personally have a network of over 50 full-time photographer associates, and we've got each others' backs in times of emergency. I've only had to call in this favor once (when my wife went into labor early), but everything worked out flawlessly with minimal stress on the bride (p.s. I'm done having kids, three is plenty!). Can your photographer friend make the same promise? 

Are you handsome, witty, and do people like you?

Important Because: (haha just kidding... just wanted to see if you read everything!)