Your venue gets dismantled, your flowers wilt by evening. The photos are the one thing from your wedding day that you'll still be looking at in thirty years. That's worth getting right — especially when you may be booking sight unseen from another country.

Documentary, fine-art, or editorial

Documentary / candid photographers work in the background, capturing the day as it unfolds. Fine-art / posed photographers direct the scene more actively — composed portraits, deliberate lighting. Editorial blends the two with a fashion-magazine eye for composition and mood. Ask any photographer where they'd place themselves on this spectrum and why.

Evaluating a portfolio: look past the highlight reel

Ask to see a full wedding gallery — two or three complete ceremonies, start to finish, not just the curated best-of feed. Check specifically how they handle Bali's harsh midday light and golden-hour color grading, since both are genuinely difficult to shoot well and reveal a lot about consistency.

Coverage hours and what's typically included

Ask about: number of coverage hours, whether an engagement shoot is bundled, second shooter, drone footage (confirm it's actually permitted at your venue), and how many final edited images you'll typically receive.

Turnaround time for edited galleries

Ask upfront how long you'll wait for your final gallery, in writing, and whether a sneak-peek gallery is provided sooner.

Who owns your photos: usage and licensing rights

Most photographers retain copyright but grant you a usage license. Confirm whether you receive full high-resolution files, whether you're free to print anywhere, and whether the photographer can use your images in their own portfolio.

Backup equipment and a second shooter as insurance

Ask how they protect against equipment failure and illness — backup cameras, dual card slots, and what the actual contingency plan is if your photographer can't make it.

Questions to ask before you book

  • Can I see two or three full wedding galleries, not just highlight reels?
  • How do you handle harsh midday sun and golden-hour portraits?
  • Exactly how many hours of coverage, and what's included?
  • What's your typical turnaround time for the final edited gallery?
  • Do I receive full-resolution files, and what am I allowed to do with them?
  • What's your backup plan if you're sick or your equipment fails?
  • Have you shot at my specific venue before?