The first thing to understand is how a photographer sees the world. Two people can stand in the same spot and create completely different images. You want someone whose way of seeing lines up with how you want to remember your wedding.

Helpful questions to ask about style and vision include:  

• How would you describe your style, for both photos and video?  
• Can we see at least one or two full wedding galleries, not just highlights?  
• How do you balance candid moments with more guided, editorial portraits?

Ask them to explain what words like cinematic, documentary, editorial, or classic mean in their work. For example, cinematic coverage often means layered storytelling, dramatic use of light, and a focus on movement and atmosphere. Documentary might lean more into quiet, unposed moments. The labels matter less than how their examples make you feel.

Since we live and work here, it also helps to ask how they handle common Edmonton and Alberta conditions, such as:  

• Long summer golden hours along the river valley  
• Downtown architecture with strong lines and reflections  
• Harsh midday sun on open fields or farms  
• Cloudy, windy, or rainy days that change the plan

You can ask: How do you work with changing weather instead of fighting it? Can you show samples from bright midday ceremonies, dim churches, and evening receptions?

Finally, talk about your story. Ask: How do you get to know us before the wedding? Do you offer engagement sessions or planning meetings to understand our personalities? The goal is to make sure your images feel like you, not like a generic version of someone else’s wedding.