Wedding Photography FAQ

Are you planning a wedding and have questions about photography? You’re not alone! This blog post is meant to help answer some of the most common questions about wedding photography. From what to expect from your photographer to tips for choosing the right one, I’ve got you covered.


Wedding Photography FAQ

The most annoying thing about this section? You’ll find a lot of the answers are ‘it depends’. There are thousands of photographers in the UK, each choosing to run their business differently. This means that often you’ll have to enquire to get a definitive answer, but at least this article should help you get the ball rolling.


Specific Wedding Photography FAQ

What is your photography style?

My wedding photography style is a unique blend of documentary, candid, photojournalism and fine art. Weddings are incredibly complex events, rich with emotion. You have to be able to bend your style to meet the needs of the moment. I aim to tell the story of the day, but emotional moments call for a different skillset than documenting people doing the worm at midnight.


Of course! You can drill down by location, culture, or religious ceremony type to see if I’ve photographed a wedding similar to yours in style and gain a better understanding of how I operate on the day and what the final gallery would look like.


How many weddings have you photographed?

I can’t say for certain, but I average 27 a year for the last five years, so at the very least that’s 135. That’s not counting the six years before I went full time, so it’s most likely around 200.


Do you have a backup plan in case of illness or emergency?

Yes, I am fortunate to have some wonderful friends and colleagues all neatly bundled together in a super duper emergency Facebook group. In the event of an emergency, everyone gets pinged and we work out how to solve the problem. Whilst no one really wants to consider it, emergencies do occur so it’s good to know it’s there just in case. In the event of something happening to me out of the blue, you will never be left without a photographer for your day.


Will you be the primary photographer at our wedding?

Yes. It will always be me


Do you provide a second photographer or assistant?

Yes, if you require one. I have a close knit group of five friends I go-to for being my second photographer. I trust them and consider them on the same level as me, so when you see the final gallery you won’t be able to tell who took the photographs. That way you get a seamless product, and a much better set of pictures.


What type of equipment do you use?

At the time of writing I am using the Canon EOS R mirrorless series of cameras and a mixture of Canon and Sigma lenses.


Do you carry backup equipment?

Yes. I have two cameras and lenses on my person all day as well as a back up camera and additional lenses in my bag just in case.


How many hours of coverage do you provide?

All day coverage I would class as ten hours. However I’ve shot as many as sixteen before and as few as one, it depends on your needs and budget.


How long will it take to receive our edited wedding photos?

Typically 6-8 weeks after the wedding


Do you offer engagement photo sessions?

As a rule, I do not. But there are exceptions. My style of photography is focussed on capturing moments between you and your family and friends. These moments are organic and cannot be replicated. 


There is also a magic in the air on a wedding day, something that doesn’t exist in the same way on a photoshoot. most people hire me because they don’t want to pose, and engagement shoots require a degree of posing. 


That being said, if you’d like to do something completely unique and not ‘engagementy’ at all, I’m definitely game for creating a unique piece of artwork that breaks all the rules.


Can we provide a list of must-have shots?

It depends what’s on it! I always ask clients for a list of any group photographs they would like, these are my responsibility to take and something I am in complete control of. If your list has static objects on it, such as ‘a picture of the flowers’ or ‘a picture of the tables before dinner’, then by all means send me that list.


Lists get tricky when clients try to be too specific e.g. ‘my dad crying when he sees me’. This is problematic because trying to pre-empt otherwise organic moments often ends in disappointment. It’s the rule of the universe, if you specify a shot of him crying, I guarantee he’ll walk into the room and say ‘hi’, then leave. 


Better off saying to me: Liam, I’d love it if you can try and get pictures of XYZ, but no worries if it doesn’t happen. That way, I know what pictures you’d love, but you also aren’t setting yourself up for disappointment if it doesn’t happen.


Do you offer albums or prints? If so, what are the available options and prices?

I do! Please click here to open the packages page, details for albums are at the bottom. 


What is the process for selecting photos for the album?

I’ve got a page dedicated to this: click here


Are you insured?

Yes, up to 5million pounds. If your venue requires a certificate just let me know and I’ll send a PDF.


Do you charge for travel expenses?

Unless specified then no, any travel expenses will be covered in the cost of your package. If your wedding is taking place more than two hours drive away from where I live (currently in Northamptonshire), then there may be an additional charge for an overnight stay – I can’t bare the stress of potential traffic!


What are your payment terms and options?

A deposit is required to secure your date and then the final balance is due three weeks before the wedding date.


Can you provide references from past clients?

Of course! Please check out my Google page for Testimonials or just get in touch and I’ll send some directly.


Do you have any experience working at our wedding venue?

I’ve been shooting weddings for twelve years at the time of writing so the chances are either, yes, or, I’ve shot something very similar to it. 


As the time of year, the weather and the season all effect the light there is in fact little photographic value in knowing the venue as you often have to make decisions on the day anyway. 


However, logistically there is real value as we can plot exactly when and where to take group photographs and plan your day to make sure we’re not wasting any time. If I’ve never been to a venue before, I do make a point of arriving a few hours earlier than needed to have a walk around and familiarise myself with the layout.


Are there any additional services or products you offer?

Yes, wedding albums, prints, framed photographs etc can all be ordered


How do you handle challenging lighting situations, like dimly lit venues?

Professional grade cameras and lenses are expensive because they allow me to shoot in situations where the lighting is not optimal. Churches in England or Wine cellars in France, changing and sometimes difficult lighting scenarios is just part of the everyday for a wedding photographer. The technology to allow the photographs to be taken exists, you have to work with what is there and rely on skill and experience to create beautiful photographs.


How do you ensure a smooth timeline on our wedding day?

We have a catch up call a few weeks before the day to run through the agenda from start to finish. The vast majority of the day happens all on it’s own, it is only the period post ceremony up to the dinner that I am in control of, and that’s where I excel! 


Getting the flow and timing right for confetti, group pictures, couple portraits, pictures of the dining room before sit down and candids during the drinks reception, in a word, is hard. But luckily, I’m really good at it. I’ll guide you through the best way to execute this block of time to make sure that we get the pictures you’d like in a timely and stress free fashion. 


I’m a chilled out person, and with a list of family pictures in my pocket and a watch on my wrist, you can just enjoy the day knowing that I’m on top of it!


Will you be sharing our photos on social media or your website?

I’ll always ask before sharing your photographs.


Can we request specific editing styles or retouching?

My editing style is my own, so broadly speaking if you’re thinking of asking me to do that then I would encourage you to find a photographer who does what you’re looking for as standard.


However, if you would like something edited – your sisters ex boyfriend photoshopped out for example, then that’s no problem, that level of editing is about £10 per picture.


Do you provide a written contract?

Yes, once you’ve filled in the booking form (I’ll send you link), I’ll compile all the information into a contract for your records


What is your policy on rescheduling or cancellations?

In summary:

You’re legally entitled to a 14 day cooling off period under UK law. Within this time you’re entitled to a full refund without question.


If you reschedule after this period, but with a considerable amount of time to go before the wedding (a year). Then we can possibly port your deposit to the new date.


If you cancel within a year of the wedding then you are still liable to pay 100% of the contract value. I turn away multiple clients each year for dates that I am already booked, this fee represents the work I turned away in honouring my agreement with you.


Full terms and conditions can be found here: Terms & Conditions


How do you handle family dynamics and large group photos?

With expert planning before the wedding. During our catch up call we run through the day and plot the most efficient way to handle group photographs. Let me know if there are any tricky family dynamics to be aware of, I’d hate to commit a faux pas. 


On the day I typically communicate with the groomsmen to make rounding up people nice and easy, but I’ve also got a really loud voice, so announcing to the crowd is easy.


Do you offer videography services or can you recommend a videographer?

My specialty is stills, but I do have wedding videographers that I can recommend, I’ll send you the links to their websites.


Are there any hidden fees we should be aware of?

No. All travel and VAT is included in the listed packages. If your wedding is further afield, then I’ll let you know upfront if I’ll require a hotel.


Generic Wedding Photography FAQ

How do I choose a wedding photographer?

Top tips:
1. Know your fine art from your reportage
2. Look at lots of complete weddings on the blog, not just portfolios
3. Meet in person and establish trust
4. Make sure you like them!
5. Understand what’s included in each package
This is a huge topic with many things to consider, thankfully to make life easier, I’ve written an entire blog post on this topic alone. You can read my thoughts on how to find a wedding photographer here: https://liamsmithphotography.com/how-to-choose-a-wedding-photographer/


How many weddings does a photographer do a year?

The average photographer shoots between 20-25 weddings per year. The majority of weddings occur on Saturdays in the Summer. Weddings are extremely tiring, if your photographer brags about shooting 50 in a year, I’d be inclined to ask how they keep their standards up. I know if I shoot back to back weddings then I’m knackered for at least two days.


How many hours should I book a wedding photographer?

It depends on what you need and what you can afford. Typically a photographer would aim to be at the wedding from the bridal preparation, through to the first dance at least. Average coverage is 10 hours, this would allow from bridal preparation through to the evening dancing. It depends on your timetable, in some cases 12 hours is necessary.


How long does a photographer stay at a wedding?

Traditional wedding photographers will finish after the first dance. Modern documentary wedding photographers will stay to capture the party, basically for as long as you want them to.


Who is the best wedding photographer in the world?

Photography is entirely subjective, but here is my list:

  1. Liam Smith
  2. Jose Villa
  3. John Dolan

What camera do most wedding photographers use?

The most popular cameras in the wedding industry are the Sony A series and the Canon EOS R mirrorless series


Do you provide food for a wedding photographer?

Yes. Weddings photographers are part of your day and work extraordinarily hard, you should definitely be feeding them. How much should you feed them? Quite a lot, same as you are planning to eat, we are hungry, hungry hippos.


Do I need two photographers at my wedding?

The biggest advantages of two photographers:
1. Multiple angles of ceremony, speeches, bride and groom preparation
2. More pictures of guests
3. More candid images

Another massive topic that requires analysis from multiple angles. I’ve written an entire blog post on the topic here: https://liamsmithphotography.com/do-i-need-two-wedding-photographers/


How many photos do you get in a wedding package?

You should always look for quality over quantity, but for a 10 hour wedding day, you should be expecting in the region of 500 images.


Where do wedding photographers stand during the ceremony?

You should have a conversation with your photographer about where you think you would like them to stand. The choices you are limited too are either behind the officiant (sometimes unable to move) or stood in the aisle.


What do photographers wear to weddings?

Whatever they want. I choose to wear all black; jeans, shirt, boots. Shorts aren’t off the table if it’s incredibly hot. If it’s a concern, then you should simply ask.


What is a receiving line at a wedding?

The receiving line typically consists of the married couple and both sets of parents, stood in a line greeting every guest as they enter the reception. The receiving line is not a necessity and you can have as many people in the line as you wish.


Do wedding photographers deliver all photos?

No. RAW photos stay with the photographer. Why? Often we take multiple images in a sequence and then send the client the best one. My cameras sometimes bounce off of my waist and take a picture of the floor and sometimes, it’s down to the artist, the creator to disclose the best version of their product.


What do you do with your wedding photographs?

1. make an album
2. make gift cards
3. make Xmas tree baubles
4. print a canvas
5. frame prints
6. create a multiframe


When should I book my wedding photographer?

As soon as possible. Wedding photographers book up two years in advance, if you’ve found someone who you want to work with, you shouldn’t delay.


What does a second shooter do at a wedding?

The second photographers job is to capture angles that the primary photographer cannot, photograph the grooms preparation and to capture candid images of guests.


How many photos do wedding photographers take?

A wedding photographer can take thousands of images on a wedding day. 5000 image is fairly standard for a 10 hour wedding. 10,000 or 20,000 is not unheard of.


How long do wedding group photographs usually take?

This depends on how long your list is. If you assume that each group will take 3 minutes to assemble and then multiply that by the number of groups in your list you’ll have a good estimate to work with.


How long do wedding couple portraits take?

This depends on the style of photographer you have booked. A fine art wedding photographer prides themselves on posed couple portraits, these are heavily curated so expect them to take an hour at least. Documentary photographers however can take as little as ten minutes.


How can I save money for my wedding photography?

1. Avoid paying for an album up front, this can always be made later
2. Don’t have an engagement shoot
3. Ask for contributions rather than wedding presents
4. Book years in advance and lock in a rate to avoid inflation
5. Book at the very last minute and ask for a reduced rate


What is usually included in a wedding photography package?

1. The wedding photographer for a set amount of hours
2. Digital photographs
3. Optional extras – Album, second shooter, prints, online gallery


What is the Golden Hour?

The Golden hour is the period of daylight half an hour before the sun sets to half an hour after it sets. The light at this time of day is gold, hence, golden hour!


Do you really need a wedding photographer?

Of course I’m going to be biased here, but hear me out.


Look around your family home, the house you grew up in. Examine what is on the walls, on the mantelpiece, propped up against an ornament.


It’s photographs.


They record loved ones we’ve lost and happy memories we’d love to revisit.  Sadly, the complexity of the value of photographs often doesn’t make itself apparent until after the people within them are no longer with us. 


A hard truth to often accept, everyone in the family typically comes together for weddings and funerals, why not pay to have one of these rare events documented properly? 


There’s always more money to be made, but you’ll only have one wedding, invest in it, in thirty years time, you’ll be glad you did,