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Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Photographer for Your Jewish Wedding

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Planning a Jewish wedding can be one of the most meaningful experiences and also one of the most overwhelming places.

As someone who has captured countless Jewish weddings, I know how vital it is to find a photographer who truly understands your vision and the traditions that make your day unique.

Your photographer will be the one preserving your cherished rituals and heartfelt moments.

To help you find the perfect match, here are ten essential questions to guide your conversations with potential photographers

1. Do you have experience photographing Jewish weddings?

Jewish weddings have unique customs and traditions, so it’s important to work with someone familiar with them. From the breaking of the glass to the chuppah ceremony, experience ensures nothing gets missed.

Personally, I always make sure to talk to the officiant or Rabbi before the ceremony begins to make sure I know exactly what to expect.

Two questions I always ask: (1) Which direction will the bride and groom stand during the ceremony? and (2) where will the Rabbi place the glass on the floor before the smashing of the glass!

Both of those questions, change my game plan for how I photograph the ceremony!

2. Are you familiar with specific Jewish rituals and traditions, such as the chuppah, ketubah signing, Tisch + Bedekin, Shtick or horah?

These moments are central to your celebration. A photographer with knowledge of these rituals will know when and how to capture them with sensitivity and precision.

There are specific traditions you can explain to someone until they are blue in the face, but if they haven’t experienced it before, they won’t truly understand what to expect and how to photograph it!

3. Can you accommodate the timeline of a traditional Jewish wedding day?

Jewish weddings often involve extended celebrations, and more traditions and rituals than most secular weddings. Ensure your photographer is comfortable working with a more flexible and potentially longer timeline.

For most secular weddings, I suggest at least 8 hours of coverage, but for Jewish Weddings, I suggest at least 9 or 10 hours, depending on how many traditions the couple is planning on!

4. How do you ensure privacy and respect during religious moments?

Key religious moments, such as what happens under the chuppah and during the veiling of the bride, require a photographer who understands the importance of being unobtrusive while still capturing the beauty of the moment.

I always say, I will be under the chuppah for part of your ceremony with you, but I will be as quiet and as quick as a ninja so I can be the least disruptive as possible. I will never get in the way of the other people under the chuppah, but I will always be there to capture the special moments!

5. How do you handle unexpected challenges on the wedding day?

An experienced photographer is prepared for anything from sudden weather changes to tight timelines, ensuring your day goes smoothly and your photos turn out beautifully no matter the circumstances.

I always say that as a wedding photographer, you have to embrace the chaos and learn how to go with the flow… You can plan every moment to a T, but at the end of the day, 95% of wedding timelines run late or need to be adjusted in the moment and as the photographer you just got to roll with it, be confident and make sure your clients are as calm and as in the moment as possible!

6. Do you offer a second photographer?

I highly recommend two photographers for any Jewish wedding and even more so if you are planning on having a Tisch and Bedekin at your wedding!With so much happening simultaneously, having two photographers ensures every special moment is beautifully captured.

Many couples ask me if they should have three photographers, and I always say that if you are having less than 400 people at your wedding, two photographers is plenty! I find three photographers a little overwhelming for the couple, their family and their guests. We are there to enhance everyones experience and not overwhelm it!

7. How do you approach family portraits?

Jewish weddings often include large and extended families. Your photographer should have a clear plan to efficiently organize and capture these important portraits.

I believe there is really only one way to make sure my couples get all the family combinations they (and their parents) could possibly want… and it is being bossy in the nicest way possible!

I ask my clients to write out a list of all the different family combinations they want so I can print the list, call them out and check them off as we go.

My goal is to go as quickly and as painless as possible when it comes to the family photos.

8. What backup equipment and plans do you have?

A reliable photographer should have backup cameras, lenses, and a contingency plan to ensure no technical issues disrupt their ability to capture your day.

I always bring three cameras, just in case, and I make sure every single photo I capture are recorded to two memory cards, just in case one is defective.

9. Can you share examples of full wedding galleries?

While highlight reels and Instagram posts are great, seeing complete galleries will give you a better sense of their style, consistency, and how they capture an entire event.

Social media is full of the best of the best, galleries are full of every single moment of a wedding day captured. It is a completely different viewing experience and I personally, like the full gallery experience better! Makes it all more real!

10. How do you incorporate cultural or personal details into the photos?

Jewish weddings are rich in tradition and meaning. Ask your photographer how they’ll highlight these elements, from embroidered tallitot to family heirlooms.

As someone who has stood under the chuppah at her own wedding and is now a proud, Jewish mama, I understand the importance of our culture and rituals in a deep way that makes me photograph those details with so much love and honor.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right photographer ensures the memories of your Jewish wedding are beautifully preserved. These questions will help you find someone who aligns with your vision, values, and the traditions that make your celebration unique. Take the time to have open conversations with potential photographers, and don’t be afraid to trust your instincts.

Mazel tov on this exciting chapter of your life! Your perfect photographer is out there, ready to capture every meaningful moment.

Work With Yael

My mission is to not only craft images, but really celebrate the unique spirit of Jewish love. I'm here to honor our culture, capture the magic of your love, create family heirlooms for your future and do it all with a whole lot of heart and soul.