Though we live in an age when everyone is a photographer, on your special day, never underestimate the importance of a professional wedding photographer.

The photographer is capturing your memories for the day and communication is the key to getting the best results for your wedding album and the thank you cards you will be sending out, hopefully, within a year of your wedding date. Asking the right questions in the moment can be difficult with so much to think about leading up to the wedding day and on the day itself. The National Herald has compiled a list of questions to help make sure you and your photographer are on the same page when it comes to your big day.

After reviewing the photographer’s portfolio and checking their references, and/or getting recommendations from family and friends who have used the photographer before or whose work you admire, set up an appointment to meet in person and talk about the style you would like and what style the photographer specializes in. It can be helpful to have a list of the photos you consider must haves, like classic bride and groom photos with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and photos of not only the immediate family but the extended family as well. The guests at your wedding may never again be assembled all in one place and at the same time, so you may also want a photo of the guests at each table. Most photographers are happy to receive a list of the photos you would like and if there are specific people at the wedding you would like to pose with, make sure you add their names to your list. You might also want to add when specific moments will be happening so the photographer doesn’t miss anything.

The following questions may come in handy:

If the photographer is old school, or you have a particular preference, you might want to ask, do you shoot on film or digital?

Does the photographer shoot in black and white as well as color?

What types of packages are available?

How many hours do the packages include? What are the charges for extra hours?

Are there payment plan options?

Does the photographer also shoot video?

How far in advance should the photographer’s services be booked for the wedding?

Do they have experience taking photographs at my church and reception venue?

Will there be an assistant working with the photographer on the day of the wedding?

Will the photographer be shooting another event on the same day?

What time will the photographer be available to shoot at the bride’s home or groom’s home to capture photos of the traditional preparations on the day of the wedding?

Approximately how many photos will be taken at the event?

Do you retouch, adjust color, or make other corrections to the photos and are those services included or extra?

Will we receive negatives and/or high resolution digital images?

Is there a fee for the negatives and/or high resolution digital images?

Will we be able to access the images online? And if so, for how long?

How long after the wedding will we receive the proofs?

Some couples choose to give their parents special albums featuring the photos with their side of the family as a keepsake and thank you gift, so you might want to ask: How long can we expect to wait before the final album or albums and the thank you note photos are ready?