Choosing the right wedding photographer can feel like a huge decision when planning your big day — and honestly, it is! Your photos are the one thing (besides your partner) you’ll keep forever. Whether you’re looking for dreamy engagement photos by the waterfront or a full-day wedding coverage across Essex County, asking the right questions can make all the difference.

That’s why I’ve put together this  list of my 15 Essential Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer to help you find the perfect wedding photographer — no stress, just smart planning and beautiful results!

1. What’s Your Photography Style?
   Before anything else, get clear on your wedding photographers style. Are they into candid, documentary-style shots? Romantic and artistic poses? Bold and editorial vibes? Choose a style that aligns with your vision — whether that’s timeless and classic or fresh and modern.
   Pro tip: Ask to see full galleries from real weddings — not just highlight reels on Instagram.
2. How Many Weddings Have You Photographed?
   Experience matters! Instead of just asking “how many years,” find out how many actual weddings they’ve captured. Someone could have 10 years in the biz but only shoot a handful of weddings each year, which is why it’s important to highlight Tip No. 1 and ask to see full galleries from previous weddings. You want someone you trust and who’s seasoned in the flow of a wedding day — especially the high-stress, blink-and-you-miss-it moments.
3. Do You Specialize in Weddings?
   Some photographers are generalists — and that’s okay! But for such a big milestone, it’s wise to hire someone who focuses primarily on wedding and engagement photography. Being able to find locate and capture meaningful “moments” during your wedding day while all of the action is happening is part intuition and part skill, which comes with experience.
4. How Many Weddings Do You Book Per Weekend?
   In smaller studios, double-booking can mean your photographer is stretched thin. Ask how many weddings they shoot per weekend and if they’ll be personally photographing yours. I’m the main shooter for Pari Studio, so I will be the one capturing your wedding and I only book one wedding per weekend, but I have been contracted to capture weddings for other photographers in the past as well. I love to be able to focus on my couples, which means quality over quantity which is a big win for you!
5. Will We Sign a Photography Contract?
   The answer should be a big YES. A contract protects both you and your photographer and should outline what’s included in your wedding package such as: pricing, timelines, cancellation terms, and everything in between.
6. What Happens if You’re Sick on Our Wedding Day?
   While it’s rare, life happens! A professional photographer should have a solid backup plan in case of illness or emergencies — ideally, a second shooter or associate photographer ready to step in. The Windsor-Essex wedding photography community is fantastic at working together, and I have seen many instances of community over competition. One instance involved a photographer breaking their ankle a few days before their client’s wedding and needing to find someone to step in and capture the wedding for them. Yikes! But it was also wonderful to see so many other professionals ready and willing to step in and help out.
7. Are You Insured?
   Any legit wedding photographer should carry business and liability insurance. It’s just part of being a professional (and helps you sleep easier, too) since many venues require insurance from all vendors bringing your wedding dreams to life.
8. Will You Bring an Assistant or Second Photographer?
   Second photographers/shooters are available per request from the client. Most wedding packages are built around a solo photographer capturing your entire wedding day, but in the event your wedding is very large, your timelines are constrained, or you and your partner are getting ready far apart from one another, second photographers are a great addition to your wedding day coverage. Having two photographers allows your lead photographer to focus on the couple, while the second photographer captures reactions, details, and everything in between. Two photographers also means better coverage and different angles during key moments like the first kiss, aisle walks, or dad’s emotional toast.
9. Can I Choose an Editing/Post-Production Style?
   When it comes to your wedding photographers portfolio it’s a very good rule of thumb to follow the WYSIWYG theory. What you see is what you get when it comes to posing, editing, and the overall feel of how your photographer captures weddings. It is best to match your editing preference to a photographers style, instead of asking your photographer to edit in a certain style. It is also important to note that some editing styles may not work with your wedding vision. For instance, if your reception is in a dark barn with a lot of warm wood elements, the light and airy editing style may not work best for your wedding vision, but a dark and moody or true colour editing style could be better. Editing style affects the entire look and feel of your photos, so it’s a great idea to ask what options are available.
10. Will You Edit and Colour Correct Every Image?
    The short answer to this one is no, your photographer not be editing and colour correcting every image, but let me explain why. One of the more unfamiliar terms when it comes to photography is”culling”. Culling is the process of reviewing and selecting the best images from a shoot, while discarding duplicates, blurry shots, or those that don’t meet your photographers desired standards. Trust me, there are plenty of images captured on your wedding day that you do not want to see.
    What you will receive from Pari Studio for your engagement and wedding photos is a curated gallery of your best images in colour and black and white. Our photos are known for being timeless, and our editing style focuses on natural colours rather than pushing your tones into cool blues or heavy yellows and oranges.
11. What Kind of Equipment Do You Use? Do You Have Backup Gear?
    Your photographer doesn’t need to use the absolute latest gear, but they should have professional-grade equipment— and backups, just in case. This includes at least 2 camera bodies, multiple lenses, additional lights and batteries to make sure they’re powered up to capture your wedding all day and night. Pari Studio shoots with two 5D MarkIII’s, professional level lenses and off-camera and on-camera/hot shoe flashes.
    Pro Tip:  Ask your photographer about how they back up your photos after the wedding. Some photographers may only keep your final edited images for a few years, some might only keep them for a few months. It’s a good idea to inquire about extending your online gallery or purchasing storage like our 32GB or 64GB USB-A and USB-C with custom case.
12. What Happens If My Event Runs Late?
    Weddings don’t always run on time (let’s be real), but this is why we plan ahead and build out a timeline with some wiggle room. If you feel as though you need your photographer to stay later than agreed upon in your contract, it is common to either pay your photographer immediately to continue coverage, or to pay your remaining balance shortly after the wedding, before Ask if they offer flexible overtime options and what the fees might be, because clear communication now prevents stress (and extra charges) later.
13. How Will You Dress for Our Wedding?
    Photographers are part of your day, but they shouldn’t distract. They should dress professionally and appropriately for the tone of your celebration — especially important for religious or cultural events. Your wedding photographer and videographer are very active on your wedding day, moving in between guests, running (literally) from point A to point B, setting up equipment, all while not being obtrusive to you, your partner and your guests. My go-to-look for you wedding day is: hair pulled back, dark clothing (shirt and dress pants), and comfortable shoes are a must.
14. How Long Will It Take to Receive My Photos?
    Turnaround time varies, so it’s best to consult your contract, but a good rule of thumb is: 2–4 weeks for engagement photos, and 6–8 weeks for full wedding galleries. Our goal is to always deliver your gallery when expected, but in the event of delays (because life happens!) we will be in touch to let you know and give you an updated timeline.
    Don’t forget to ask about sneak peeks shortly after the wedding too!
15. Can We See a Full Wedding Gallery?
    Of course! It’s a great idea to review full galleries from real weddings. Images from workshops are incredibly attractive, but are misleading when it comes to a full wedding day. Seeing real galleries from your photographer will help you see how the photographer handles everything from getting ready shots to first dances and late-night dance floor moments.

Your love story deserves to be captured beautifully and authentically. If you’re getting married in Windsor-Essex County, or Chatham-Kent, let’s chat! From cozy vineyard weddings to waterfront engagement sessions, we’re here to make magic with you.

Ready to Book Your Windsor Wedding Photographer?

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