Things to consider when hiring wedding photographers in the Philippines

Fit & Style

• How would you describe your photography style (e.g., classic, documentary, editorial, moody, light & airy)?
• What draws you to that style, and how consistent is it across full weddings?
• Can we see at least 2–3 full wedding galleries (not just highlights)?
• Do your edits lean toward natural skin tones for morena/medium-deep complexions?
• How do you approach posing vs. candid moments?
• How do you handle low-light scenes (e.g., dim churches, sunset receptions)?
• Do you shoot film, digital, or a mix? Why?
• How much retouching do you include by default (skin, flyaway hair, background distractions)?

Experience & Team

• How many Filipino weddings do you shoot per year?
• Have you worked at our ceremony and reception venues before?
• Who will be our lead photographer on the day?
• Will you bring a second shooter or assistant? What are their roles?
• How many team members will attend, and what are their call times?
• Do you work well alongside videographers and “content creators” without overlap?
• Can we view a full gallery you personally shot (not by associates)?

Availability & Communication

• Are you available on our date, and how long can you pencil it in?
• What’s your preferred way to communicate (email, Viber, WhatsApp, IG, SMS)?
• How quickly do you usually reply during peak season?
• Will we have planning calls or timeline reviews before the wedding?
• Do you offer venue walk-throughs or pre-wedding coordination with our planner?

Coverage & Timeline

• How many hours are included in standard coverage?
• What are the overtime rates and how are they billed?
• Can you cover both partner preparations if locations are far apart?
• How do you structure time for detail shots, first look, family formals, and creatives?
• What do you need from us to keep family portraits fast and organized?
• Do you help build a photo-friendly timeline (including golden hour and night portraits)?
• What time do you recommend for a Tagaytay/outdoor ceremony to get the best light?
• Can you accommodate a sparkler exit or fireworks (if permitted by the venue)?

Deliverables & Turnaround

• How many edited photos do you typically deliver per hour of coverage?
• What is your usual turnaround time for the full gallery?
• Do you provide next-day or one-week sneak peeks?
• How will the images be delivered (online gallery, USB, hard drive)?
• How long will the online gallery stay live, and are there re-hosting fees?
• What resolution files do we receive (for print and for web)?
• Do you include a slideshow or on-site same-day photo slideshow (SDE Photo)?
• Do you offer fine art prints, canvases, or photobooth add-ons?

RAW Files, Editing & Requests

• Do you shoot RAW and deliver high-resolution edited JPEGs?
• Do you ever release RAW files? If so, what are the conditions/costs?
• Can we request a few specific edits or re-edits after delivery? Any fees?
• How do you handle black-and-white vs. color versions?
• Will you keep consistency across our entire gallery (not just hero shots)?
• Can we request a “no heavy skin smoothing” or “no extreme filters” approach?

Albums & Design

• Which album sizes, cover materials, and paper options do you offer?
• How many spreads/pages are included, and what is the maximum?
• How many revision rounds are included in the album design?
• What’s the lead time from final approval to delivery?
• Do you design parent albums or smaller duplicates? Pricing?
• Is shipping within Metro Manila or nationwide included?

Pricing, Inclusions & Payment

• What packages do you offer and what’s included in each?
• What’s your current rate card for photo-only vs. photo+video partners?
• Are there upgrade options (extra hours, second shooter, drone operator)?
• What’s the reservation/booking fee and when is the balance due?
• What modes of payment do you accept (bank transfer, GCash, credit card)?
• Are prices VAT-inclusive and do you issue an OR (official receipt)?
• Are there price increases for peak months (Dec–Feb, May–June)?

Travel, Out-of-Town & Logistics (PH-specific)

• What are your out-of-town fees (e.g., Antipolo, Tagaytay, Batangas, Subic, Pampanga, Baguio)?
• For destination weddings (Cebu, Boracay, Palawan), what travel and lodging do you require?
• How many rooms/nights are needed for your team, and who books them?
• Do you charge for tolls, parking, boat transfers, or porterage separately?
• If traffic or road closures delay the team, how is coverage handled?

Church, Venue & Permits (PH-specific)

• Are you familiar with typical Catholic church photography rules (flash, altar access, movement)?
• Can you coordinate with the parish office or coordinator for house rules?
• Do you help secure prenup permits (e.g., BGC/FBDC, parks, private estates)? What are the fees?
• Do you carry IDs or paperwork some venues require for supplier entry?
• If the venue has strict time limits for pictorials, how do you adapt?
• Can you work discreetly in conservative or solemn ceremonies?

Drone (PH-specific)

• Do you work with a CAAP-licensed drone pilot for commercial shoots?
• Can you confirm venue/airspace permissions and no-fly zones for our location?
• Do you have drone liability insurance and backup plans if drone use is restricted?
• Are there extra fees for drone coverage, and what deliverables do we get?
• Will you coordinate with the venue and church on drone restrictions?

Weather, Contingencies & Safety

• What is your rain/typhoon contingency plan for outdoor weddings?
• Do you bring clear umbrellas, protective gear, and rain covers for equipment?
• If severe weather forces a schedule change, what are the rescheduling terms?
• How do you handle extreme heat/humidity on gear and batteries?

Backup, Gear & Data Security

• What camera systems do you use and do they have dual card slots?
• Do you bring backup camera bodies, lenses, flashes, and batteries?
• How do you back up images during and after the wedding (on-site/off-site)?
• How long do you archive our files, and is there a data retrieval fee?
• Do you carry liability insurance and equipment insurance?

Crew Meals & Day-Of Needs (PH-specific)

• How many crew meals are required and at what time should they be served?
• Do you have dietary restrictions or specific break times?
• Do you need a prep room or secure area for equipment?
• Do you need parking validation or loading bay access?

Coordination & Family/Guest Management

• Will you request a family shot list and designate a “photo marshal” to gather people?
• How do you navigate large families, ninongs/ninangs, and VIPs efficiently?
• Can you handle limited time between ceremony and reception and still cover essentials?
• How do you balance capturing candids with posed group photos?

Social Media, Usage Rights & Privacy

• Can we use the photos freely for personal use, printing, and social media?
• Do you require a watermark or specific credit on social posts?
• Will you post our photos online, and can we request a delay or NDA?
• Can suppliers (HMUA, gown designer, florist) use images—do you need our consent?
• Do you provide a selection without heavy branding for our invitations or thank-you cards?

Cancellations, Rescheduling & Force Majeure

• What is your cancellation and refund policy?
• What happens if you get sick or have an emergency—who is the backup lead?
• If our date moves due to force majeure (e.g., typhoon), what are the options and fees?
• If we downsize/split events (civil now, reception later), can packages be adjusted?
• Are travel bookings refundable/transferable if the date changes?

Add-Ons & Special Requests

• Do you offer prenup/engagement sessions—what’s included?
• Can you create a same-day photo slideshow for the reception (requirements for screen, projector, audio)?
• Can you cover welcome dinners, after-parties, or post-wedding brunches?
• Do you offer on-site printing or a guest photo wall?
• Can you accommodate cultural traditions (tea ceremony, money dance, cord/veil/candle rites, Muslim customs)?

Next Steps

• What do you need from us to prepare (questionnaire, shot list, timelines, contact sheet)?
• When do you recommend scheduling the prenup session and where?
• What are the key dates for payments, design approvals, and delivery milestones?
• Can you send a sample contract and an itemized proposal with all fees (including OOTF, permits, drone, overtime)?