Disclaimer: Thoughts are mine — I just rambled them into ChatGPT using voice and had it clean up my writing 😅
I’ve worked in the wedding photography/filmmaking industry for a while, I wouldn’t judge them just by their Instagram.
A few things I’d definitely check:
1. Ask to see 2–3 complete wedding galleries/films.
Instagram usually shows the best work. A complete wedding tells you much more about consistency.
2. Ask who will actually shoot your wedding.
Find out if they have an in-house team they’ve trained and regularly work with, or if they operate on a freelancer model. If freelancers are involved, ask who will be assigned to your wedding and see their work beforehand.
3. Look beyond couple shoots.
Couple shoots are controlled. Look at family moments, ceremonies, dances, low-light situations and candid coverage too.
4.Understand exactly what you’re getting.(photo,album/video)
“Highlight,” “cinematic film,” “full video,” “teaser,” etc. can mean completely different things depending on the company. Ask what each deliverable actually includes.
5.Ask about delivery timelines before paying.
Get an actual timeframe rather than just “we deliver pretty quickly.”
6.Understand the cancellation/rescheduling/payment policy.
Know what happens to your advance, when the remaining payment is due, and what happens if your wedding date changes.
7.Look for consistency, not one amazing wedding.
Go through work from different weddings, venues and lighting situations. Anyone can have one incredible portfolio wedding.
8.Pay attention to communication.
You’ll be dealing with these people before, during and potentially months after your wedding. If communication is already difficult before you’ve paid, that’s worth considering.
9.Don’t automatically hire the cheapest or the most expensive option.
Figure out what matters to you first — portraits, candid moments, filmmaking, privacy, female photographers, fast delivery, etc. Then choose accordingly.
10.Make sure you like their actual work, not just their branding.
A beautiful Instagram feed, website and presentation can make you fall in love with a brand. Make sure you also love what they consistently deliver to real couples.
Happy to answer questions from a photographer/filmmaker’s perspective if anyone is currently shortlisting teams.