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Wedding photography is one of the most challenging and demanding forms of photography, requiring technical expertise, adaptability, and the ability to perform under intense pressure. Weddings move quickly, with strict timelines, changing and fast changing lighting conditions, unpredictable weather, and no second chances to capture key moments. A seasoned photographer must not only adjust seamlessly to these challenges but also handle difficult guests, manage large group shots efficiently, and troubleshoot unexpected issues—whether it’s malfunctioning gear, a last-minute schedule change, or a dimly lit venue. This is why experience is absolutely crucial. When things go wrong, as they inevitably do, a true professional knows how to problem-solve instantly without missing a beat.
Hiring a full-time, dedicated wedding photographer—rather than a “weekend warrior” or someone new to the industry—ensures that you’re working with someone who has spent years refining their craft. Cutting corners with an inexperienced photographer may save money upfront, but it can result in missed moments, poorly lit images, or technical mishaps that cannot be undone. Your wedding photos will be the lasting memories of one of the most important days of your life—invest in someone who has the expertise to deliver them flawlessly, no matter the circumstances.
In short, interview them, and ask difficult and pointed questions to be sure you are getting what you are paying for.
To assist in this decision-making process, I have compiled a list of in-depth questions that will not only help assess a photographer’s level of experience and professionalism but also provide insight into their working style and what you and your guests experience will be like on your wedding day.
Experience & Expertise
How many weddings have you photographed in your career? How many do you shoot per year?
I have been a full-time wedding photographer for over 15 years (as of March 2025) and have photographed more than 500 weddings. Each year varies, but I currently limit myself to 25 weddings annually to provide a more personalized experience.
What drew you to this industry?
In the early 2000s, I worked as a traveling marketing consultant in the insurance industry, covering the entire state of Colorado. In my free time, I enjoyed landscape photography. After losing my job at Allstate due to the 2008 housing crash, I turned to wedding photography to make some extra income. Within two years, I was shooting weddings full-time—and I haven’t looked back since.
Have you worked with diverse cultural or religious weddings? How do you adapt to different traditions?
Over the years, I have photographed a wide range of cultural weddings, including Indian, Chinese, Persian, and Russian weddings, as well as African and South American traditions. I love the diversity and unique elements that each culture brings to a wedding day. I am particularly well known in the Bay Area for my extensive experience with Sikh Indian weddings.
Have you ever faced a major wedding-day challenge (bad weather, timeline delays, equipment failure)? How did you handle it?
Absolutely—all of the above. Wedding photography is demanding and unpredictable. I’ve had cameras break, lenses shatter on concrete, memory cards fail, timelines run hours behind, and I’ve worked through rainstorms, extreme heat, and long days with little sleep or while injured. The key is preparation. I always have backup equipment, I stay calm under pressure, and I never let my clients see an issue. Working closely with my team and other wedding vendors ensures that no matter what happens, we adapt and keep the day running smoothly. I have countless stories—perhaps one day, I’ll share a few with you!
Preparedness & Backup Plans
What’s your backup plan if you get sick or have an emergency on our wedding day?
I have a trusted network of professional photographers in the San Francisco Bay Area who can step in if an emergency prevents me from being there. Fortunately, this has never happened in my career, but having backup options in place ensures peace of mind for both you and me.
Do you bring backup equipment? What does that include (extra cameras, lenses, memory cards, flashes)?
Yes. I shoot with multiple cameras, as do my second shooters and assistants. At a minimum, we have six cameras on-site, along with dozens of lenses, multiple flashes, and literally hundreds of memory cards. If any piece of equipment fails, we have backups ready so we can continue shooting seamlessly.
What happens if your camera or memory cards fail during the event?
While extremely rare, this has happened twice in over 500 weddings. Fortunately, all my cameras have dual memory card slots, meaning every image is instantly backed up. If a memory card fails, I simply swap it out without losing a single photo.
Do you have a plan for unexpected lighting challenges (e.g., dark venues, midday sun, candlelit receptions)?
Absolutely. I use top-of-the-line Profoto lighting equipment and modifiers to control lighting during dark receptions or overpower harsh sunlight. Additionally, I shoot with professional-grade lenses that allow me to capture high-quality images even in near darkness.
Client Experience & Customization
How do you help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera, especially if they’re camera-shy?
The vast majority of my clients are camera-shy and have never been professionally photographed. My approach is to build confidence through reassurance, humor, and showing you real-time results on the back of my camera. This helps ease anxiety and makes the experience enjoyable rather than intimidating.
What’s your approach to capturing candid moments versus posed shots?
For candid photography, my goal is to remain as unobtrusive as possible. I don’t charge toward people with my camera—I often shoot from a lower angle, looking at my tilt screen so guests don’t even realize I’m taking their photo. If you’d like a deeper insight into how I capture authentic moments, I wrote an article for Shutter Magazine that you can check out [here].
When it comes to posed shots, I don’t believe in stiff, overly directed poses. Instead, I give light guidance and wait for natural interactions to unfold. If something isn’t working, I’ll make subtle adjustments to ensure you look and feel your best. This method creates images that feel genuine rather than forced.
Do you prefer to blend into the background or take a more hands-on, directive approach during the wedding?
My approach is to be as unobtrusive as possible. My ideal scenario is for you to receive your wedding photos and be amazed at the moments captured—without ever remembering me being there. I document the day as it unfolds, allowing you to be fully present while I handle the storytelling.
Wedding Day Coverage & Style
How would you describe your wedding photography style—photojournalistic, documentary, portrait-heavy, or a mix?
My photography style is a blend of quiet, yet attentive storytelling with elegant, lightly directed portraits. This mix creates a unique, relaxed feel that draws out your personalities and highlights the distinctiveness of your relationship.
What is your presence like on the wedding day? Are you more quiet and unobtrusive, or do you direct a lot of moments?
I aim to remain as unnoticed as possible throughout most of your wedding day, allowing events to unfold naturally. Aside from a few getting ready moments, individual and couples portraits, and family portraits before or after the ceremony, my goal is to capture your story with minimal disruption.
How much gear do you typically bring? Will it be noticeable to guests, or do you keep it minimal?
I keep my gear minimal on your wedding day. I carry two cameras with me at all times and have a small roller bag for lenses and lighting equipment. For the reception, I bring compact light stands and small light modifiers for indoor portraits. I coordinate with the venue and planner to store my gear discreetly nearby so it’s easily accessible, without drawing attention away from the celebration.
Do you work solo or with a second shooter? If so, what’s their role?
I always have a second photographer with me at weddings, but their role differs from how other photographers use second shooters. Rather than splitting the day evenly, my second photographer supports me, helping me work efficiently while capturing alternate angles of key moments. I handle most of the photography, but the second photographer adds depth and perspective. They also act as my assistant, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Unlike many photographers who assign the groom’s getting ready coverage solely to the second shooter, I prefer to cover both the bride and groom’s getting ready moments myself whenever possible, offering equal attention to both sides of the couple. Ideally, the bride and groom would be getting ready nearby, allowing me to move between them with ease.
Workflow & Final Delivery
Do you use a dual memory card system to instantly back up photos while shooting?
Yes, I use professional-grade cameras (Nikon Z6iii’s) with dual card slots, ensuring your images are backed up instantly in case a card fails, giving you peace of mind.
How do you store and back up images after the wedding to prevent data loss?
After your wedding, I unload all the photos—both mine and my second photographer’s—onto my computer. I back up all RAW images on an external RAID server with built-in redundancy, ensuring the files are stored in three separate locations. I retain these files until your fully edited gallery is delivered, and they remain stored safely for future edits or requests. Your online gallery will stay accessible indefinitely, so you can revisit your photos whenever you like.
Do you provide RAW files or only edited images?
I do not provide RAW files, as they are unfinished and do not reflect my final work. I deliver only polished, edited images that represent my artistic vision and the story of your day.
If we want a specific editing style, are you open to adjusting your post-processing approach?
I am not open to adopting a different editing or shooting style, nor can I mimic another photographer’s approach. My style and vision are unique to me, and I hope you choose me because you connect with the way I tell your story.
Professionalism & Transparency
Can we please see at least 2 full wedding galleries you’ve delivered to other clients?
Yes, absolutely! I encourage you to ask any photographer you inquire with to show you at least two full wedding galleries they’ve delivered to clients. Ideally, these should be from weddings at similar venues or with similar styles. It’s important to look beyond social media or websites, where you only see the best shots. You want to make sure the photographer you trust with your story is highly skilled, experienced, and capable of delivering consistent results.
How do you handle difficult lighting situations, such as harsh sunlight or dark venues?
Wedding photography is challenging due to unpredictable and fluctuating lighting. It’s essential to have a seasoned professional who knows how to manage lighting and use high-quality gear to deliver the best results in any situation. This is why you should ask for full galleries from prospective photographers to assess their skills in handling difficult lighting environments.
How do you coordinate with videographers to ensure a smooth workflow?
When selecting a videographer, it’s essential to choose one who works well alongside your photographer. A great videographer will allow the photographer to take the lead during couples portraits, avoiding confusion and disruptions. Effective communication between the photography and video teams is crucial, especially during the ceremony and reception. The video team should coordinate with the photographer on camera placement and positioning so both teams can capture all the important moments. Ideally, I recommend hiring a videographer from my trusted list, as I’ve worked with them extensively and know they will collaborate smoothly with my team to ensure a flawless experience on your wedding day.
Have you worked with our planner or other key vendors before?
I’ve posted a comprehensive blog on the importance of cohesiveness among all your wedding vendors, which was created by wedding planner Erin Russo of Allora Events Design, whom has over 20 years of experience in the wedding industry. You can find the link to that blog below: