When should we schedule our engagement session?

9–12 months before the wedding — early enough to use the photos for save-the-dates and your wedding website.

How long is an engagement session and how many photos do we get?

Most sessions run 60–90 minutes at one or two nearby spots, delivering a full edited gallery — not a handful of selects.

Can we bring our dog to the engagement session?

Please do. Bring a leash, treats, and a friend who can dog-wrangle between shots.

Is an engagement session included with wedding collections?

It can be added to any collection or booked on its own — couples who book photography and video together usually add it at a reduced rate. Exact numbers are confirmed on your first call.

What if we are awkward in front of a camera?

Everyone says that. We direct with prompts and movement, not stiff poses — by the second outfit you will forget the camera is there.

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

2,200+ couples photographed · 35+ national awards · 350+ five-star reviews — Cinematic on Film

Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the biggest vendor decisions you’ll make — and one of the hardest to fix after the fact. The right questions before you book save you from surprises after the wedding: coverage that runs out early, photos that take months to arrive, or a shooting style that doesn’t match your taste. Here is what to ask any wedding photographer you’re considering, and how Lulan Studio answers each one.

Wedding photographer with a couple at golden hour in Los Angeles — Lulan Studio

Hours of Coverage and What’s Included

How many hours of coverage do we need? Most weddings need enough coverage to run from getting-ready photos through the first dance. Ask exactly what each package includes, because “a wedding photographer” can mean anything from a few ceremony-only hours to full-day, two-photographer coverage. Lulan Studio’s collections include 6 or 8 hours depending on package, so coverage matches your actual timeline instead of a one-size-fits-all number.

What exactly is included in the price? Ask what’s bundled — a second shooter, an online gallery, print rights, an engagement session, travel — and what costs extra. Vague packages lead to invoices you didn’t expect. Lulan Studio’s collections spell out inclusions up front, and our team walks you through any add-ons on your first call.

Wedding photography session in Los Angeles — Lulan Studio

Photo and Video Turnaround Times

How long until we get our photos? Editing a wedding takes real time — ask for a specific range, not “soon.” Lulan Studio delivers edited photo galleries in 4–8 weeks.

How long until we get our wedding video? Video takes longer than photos to edit, since it involves audio syncing, color grading, and a full story cut. Ask what the timeline covers — a highlight reel only, or a full-length film too. Lulan Studio delivers wedding films in 8–12 weeks.

When should we book our photographer? Photographers book up around popular dates and venues well ahead of the wedding season, so ask how far out they’re currently booking. As a general rule, lock in your photographer as soon as your date and venue are confirmed rather than waiting until other vendors are booked.

Golden-hour wedding portrait, Los Angeles — Lulan Studio

Second Shooters, Backup Equipment, and Emergency Plans

Do you offer a second shooter? A second shooter covers a second angle during the ceremony, catches candid reactions in the crowd, and photographs details your lead photographer cannot be in two places for at once. Ask whether one is included or available as an add-on.

What is your backup equipment plan? Cameras and cards fail. Ask whether your photographer shoots with backup bodies and lenses on hand, and how images are backed up the same day so a lost card or damaged drive cannot mean lost photos.

What happens if you are sick or have an emergency on our wedding day? This is one of the most important questions couples forget to ask. Every photographer should have a real contingency plan — a trusted colleague on call who can step in with similar gear and a similar shooting style. Ask to hear the plan, not just be told one exists.

Wedding photography detail shot, Los Angeles — Lulan Studio

Shooting Style, Sample Galleries, and Engagement Sessions

What is your shooting style? “Photojournalistic,” “editorial,” “light and airy,” “moody and cinematic” — these terms mean different things to different photographers. Ask to see full galleries, not just highlight reels, so you know what your own gallery will actually look like.

Can we see a full gallery from a real wedding, not just the best shots? Every photographer’s portfolio shows their best images. A full gallery from a real wedding — the getting-ready shots, the group photos, the parts of the reception that are more logistics than glamour — tells you far more about what your own day will look like.

Do you offer engagement sessions? An engagement session is a low-pressure way to meet your photographer, get comfortable in front of the camera, and see their style firsthand before the wedding. Ask whether it is bundled with your collection or booked separately.

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer FAQ

What is the most important question to ask a wedding photographer? Ask about the backup plan — for equipment and for the photographer. It is the question couples most often skip, and the one with the highest cost if something goes wrong.

How far in advance should I ask these questions? Ideally on your first call, before you put down a deposit. A photographer who answers clearly and specifically is a good sign; vague answers are worth a follow-up question.

Should I ask to see a full wedding gallery before booking? Yes. Highlight reels are curated by design. A full gallery shows pacing, consistency, and how a real wedding day gets covered from start to finish.

Do I still need to ask about pricing inclusions if I already have a quote? Always confirm what is included — hours, second shooter, gallery rights, travel — even after you have a number. It is the easiest way to avoid a surprise invoice later.

Keep Exploring

Every question above has a real answer at Lulan Studio — 6 or 8 hours of coverage depending on package, photo galleries in 4–8 weeks, wedding films in 8–12 weeks, and a backup plan that is actually rehearsed. The best way to know for sure is to ask us directly.

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