Most couples pick a wedding photographer from the portfolio, and the portfolio matters. But when couples leave unhappy reviews for Chicago photographers, the problem is rarely the pictures they saw before booking. It's months of waiting, a surprise fee, a moment that got missed, or a photographer who stopped answering. These are the questions that catch those problems before you sign.
1. Delivery: When Do We Get Everything?
Late delivery is the complaint couples write about most. Ask:
- When will we get the full gallery? When will we get the film?
- Are those dates written into the contract, or just "usually"?
- Do you offer rush delivery, and what does it cost?
- Will we get a few sneak peeks first, and when?
A good answer is a date, not a range of "a few months". Ours: your gallery within 6 weeks and your film within 10 weeks, in writing. More on what's normal in how long wedding photos should take.
2. Price: What's Included, and What Costs Extra?
The second most common complaint is a final bill bigger than the quote. Ask:
- How many hours of coverage, and what does an extra hour cost?
- Is a second shooter included or an add-on?
- Is travel included? Where does it start costing extra?
- How many edited photos, and how long is the film?
- Are the raw files available, and at what price?
Every add-on should have a price you can see before you book. We list ours on the pricing page: travel inside the Chicago metro is included, a second photographer is +$500, a second videographer is +$650. Want a ballpark for your own day? Try the cost calculator.
3. People: Who Actually Shows Up?
Some studios sell you on the owner's portfolio, then send whoever is free. Ask:
- Who will photograph our wedding, by name? Can we see their full galleries, not just highlights?
- What happens if that person is sick on our date?
- Will you have a second shooter if getting ready happens in two places?
Ask to see two or three complete weddings, start to finish. A highlight reel shows the best 20 frames; a full gallery shows how they handle a dark reception hall and the family photos.
4. The Day: How Do You Make Sure Nothing Is Missed?
"They missed our first kiss" and "no photos of my grandparents" show up in reviews more than you'd think. Ask:
- Do you help build the timeline, or just show up?
- How do you handle the family photo list?
- Have you shot at our venue? If not, will you scout it?
- What's the plan if it rains?
- Do you bring backup cameras and memory cards?
We build the day around light and the moments you care about. Start with our timeline builder and the timeline tips, and if we haven't shot your venue before, we scout it ahead of time.
5. Communication: How Fast Do You Reply?
"Stopped answering after we paid" is the review nobody wants to write. The best test is free: notice how long the first reply takes. Then ask:
- How quickly do you usually answer emails?
- Who is our contact between now and the wedding?
- How will we hear from you while you're editing?
We reply to every inquiry within a day, and you can see your plan, payments and delivery dates in one place the whole way through.
6. The Contract: What Does It Say?
- How much is the deposit, and is there a payment plan?
- What happens if we need to reschedule or cancel?
- Are the delivery dates and everything in the package written in?
Our deposit holds your date, the rest is split into automatic monthly payments, and everything is paid one month before the wedding. The details are in the FAQ.
Quick Checklist
- Delivery dates in writing
- Every add-on priced up front
- You know who shows up, and the backup plan
- Full galleries seen, not just highlights
- A first reply within a day or two
Still deciding between photo and film? Read photography vs videography and how to choose a wedding photographer, browse our portfolio and reviews, then check if we're free on your date. Ask us every question on this list. We like it.