Questions NOT to Ask Your St. Pete Wedding Photographer (and Why They Don’t Matter)
- Nina Bashaw
- 12 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Questions NOT to Ask Your St. Pete Wedding Photographer (and Why They Don’t Matter)
Choosing a wedding photographer is a big decision, you want someone who will capture your day beautifully and authentically. While it’s natural to have questions, some of the most common ones couples ask are actually irrelevant or unnecessary. As a St. Pete wedding photographer, I’ve heard it all, and I’m here to help you focus on the questions that really matter while avoiding the ones that won’t give you the information you’re looking for. Not all wedding planning advice is helpful especially when it comes to interviewing wedding and elopement photographers. Being a fine art luxury wedding photographer in St. Pete, I’m sharing the top questions that couples often ask (but really shouldn’t), plus what to focus on instead to find the perfect fit for your big day.
1. "What Kind of Camera Do You Use?"
While it might seem like a valid question, the brand or model of camera your wedding photographer uses is largely irrelevant. Professional wedding photographers invest in high-quality gear that is more than capable of capturing stunning images. What truly matters is their experience, skill, and artistic vision not the name on their camera.
What to Ask Instead:
"Can I see a full wedding gallery?"
"How do you handle low-light or tricky lighting situations?"
Seeing a full gallery will give you a better sense of their consistency, creativity, and how they capture an entire day not just the highlight reel.
2. "Can You Edit My Photos to Look Like [Insert Trendy Style]?"
Asking your photographer to mimic a specific editing trend (like ultra-light and airy or dark and moody) isn’t the best approach. Professional wedding photographers have their own signature style, which is reflected in their portfolio. Asking them to alter their aesthetic for your wedding could result in photos that feel disjointed or inconsistent.
What to Ask Instead:
"How would you describe your editing style?"
"Do you use true-to-life colors or a more stylized look?"
By understanding their editing style upfront, you’ll know what to expect and you’ll book someone whose artistic vision aligns with yours.
3. "Can You Photoshop Me to Look Thinner or Change My Appearance?"
While light retouching (like removing blemishes or flyaway hairs) is standard, asking your photographer to dramatically alter your appearance is unrealistic. Most St. Pete wedding photographers aim to capture you naturally and authentically. You deserve to look like yourself radiant and joyful without heavy digital alterations.
What to Ask Instead:
"Do you do any retouching?"
"Can you soften skin or remove temporary blemishes?"
This way, you’ll know what level of retouching to expect while ensuring your wedding photos still look natural and true to you.
4. "Can I Have All the RAW (Unedited) Photos?"
This is a common request, but most photographers won’t provide RAW images—and for good reason. RAW files are unfinished, unprocessed digital negatives that aren’t meant for viewing or printing. They lack the polished look that makes your wedding photos shine. A professional wedding photographer’s job includes editing and curating your gallery to reflect their best work.
What to Ask Instead:
"How many final, edited images will I receive?"
"Do you offer any sneak peeks or highlight galleries?"
These questions focus on what you’ll actually receive a beautiful, professionally edited gallery rather than the unfinished RAW files.
5. "Can You Copy This Pinterest Board Exactly?"
While Pinterest is fantastic for inspiration, asking your wedding photographer to replicate a board image for image is limiting. Every wedding is unique, with different lighting, locations, and moments. Instead of trying to recreate someone else’s day, you want your St. Pete wedding photographer to capture your authentic moments for a natural and timeless feel.
What to Ask Instead:
"Can I share a few inspiration wedding photos to give you an idea of my preferences?"
"How do you approach capturing candid vs. posed photos?"
Sharing inspiration wedding photos is helpful, but trusting your St. Pete photographer’s creativity and perspective will result in more genuine, meaningful images.
6. "How Many Weddings Have You Shot?"
While experience is important, the number of weddings shot doesn’t always reflect the quality of a photographer’s work. A newer photographer who has shot 50 weddings may not necessarily be better than an experienced professional who has shot fewer but delivers consistently exceptional results. It’s far more important to prioritize quality over quantity.
What to Ask Instead:
"Can you show me full wedding galleries from recent clients?"
"How do you handle different lighting conditions or unexpected changes?"
By viewing complete galleries, you’ll get a sense of their consistency, creativity, and storytelling ability—which is far more valuable than simply knowing how many weddings they’ve shot.
7. "Can We Take Out the Second Shooter for a Discount?"
It’s understandable to want to cut costs, but removing the second shooter isn’t the place to do it—especially for full-day weddings. A second photographer ensures that you get more comprehensive coverage. While the lead photographer captures the ceremony, the second shooter can be capturing guest reactions, cocktail hour, or groom preparations. This ensures you don’t miss any key moments.
Why Two Wedding Photographers Matter:
Multiple perspectives: You’ll get different angles of the same moment (for example, your walk down the aisle from both the front and behind).
Simultaneous coverage: While one photographer is capturing your couple portraits, the other can cover the cocktail hour, so no moments are missed.
Backup and security: A second shooter adds an extra layer of security in case of technical issues or missed moments.
Instead of asking for a discount by removing the second shooter, ask your wedding photographer how they divide coverage or if they recommend a second shooter based on your guest count and timeline.
Focus on the Right Questions
When hiring your St. Pete wedding photographer, it’s important to ask thoughtful, relevant questions that will actually impact your wedding photography experience and final gallery. Instead of focusing on gear, trends, or cutting corners, prioritize their experience, consistency, and creative approach. Getting married in St. Pete or the surrounding area? Let’s connect and chat about how I can capture the authentic, unforgettable moments of your wedding day with expert coverage and attention to detail.
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With 15 years of experience as a wedding photographer, Nina Bashaw is top rated and highly sought after fine art luxury wedding and elopement photographer based out of St. Petersburg, Florida.. Nina. specializes in classic, romantic, and timeless natural light photography with natural posing and genuine smiles. Nina travels throughout Tampa, St. Pete,, Sarasota, and surrounding areas for weddings and luxury elopements giving her clients a personalized and luxrious experience. Contact me for pricing and inquire about availability for 2025 and 2026. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and reading Questions NOT to Ask Your St. Pete Wedding Photographer (and Why They Don’t Matter)
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