Many wedding photographers in Paris book up to 6-12 months in advance, so it’s often a difficult task to find someone for a last minute wedding. However, sometimes wedding photographers have cancellations or may be free on a specific date.

It’s important to know what questions you should ask a potential vendor before selecting them.

1. Ask for references.

When selecting a last minute wedding photographer you want to make sure that they have the experience you need. This means asking for references from past couples and seeing examples of their work. It’s also important to ask about their working style. Some photographers may prefer to blend in and capture natural moments while others might be more outgoing and stage a lot of photos. This is important to know so that you can select a photographer that fits your aesthetic.

It’s also a good idea to ask about their back up plans. Many photographers have multiple photographers on their team and will have a second shooter or day-of assistant available to help in case of an emergency. They will often charge a smaller rate for this service.

2. Look at their portfolio.

A photographer’s portfolio is a great way to see their style and quality of work. You can often find them on a website or social media, but ask for full galleries to ensure that you get a sense of consistency over the course of an entire wedding day.

Many photographers will have packages that offer a certain amount of time and attention for different rates. If a package doesn’t fit your needs, inquire about their hourly rate and book for just the amount of time you need.

In addition to a portfolio, you should also ask about their post-production process. This is one area where the best photographers are likely to be in demand, so it’s important to understand their approach and what you can expect.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The most important question to ask is what their working style is. You want a photographer who will be able to blend into the background, taking stunning photos without getting in the way of your guests having fun and celebrating.

Another important question is how much experience they have. You want someone who knows how to handle everything that comes at them on your wedding day, including wrangling roundy groomsmen for a group photo and helping grandma into the family portrait, handling a terribly lit getting ready suite fogged with hairspray and dealing with a drink spilled on their camera lens.

It’s also a good idea to ask them what their editing process is like. Some photographers will provide you with just the digital photos and leave you to create your own album, which can be a huge task if you’re not a graphic designer.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for a quote.

You probably don’t want to go into a pricing negotiation with your wedding photographer but you also shouldn’t be afraid to ask them for one. They have a lot of skill, equipment and labor invested into creating something that will be a lifelong memory for you. They deserve to be paid for their work.

Many photographers have packages that provide different levels of service for different rates. If they don’t offer a package that fits your needs-say, because you need their shortest time allotment of four hours-they may be willing to provide an hourly rate. Be sure to ask about any add-on services they might offer like videography, a photo booth or a slideshow. These can add up quickly and you should know what you’re getting into before hiring them.

5. Ask for a contract.

It is important to ask for a contract because it will help ensure that your photographer does not back out of your wedding. Too many brides have been burned by photographers who did not show up or ran off with their deposit.

Make sure you understand exactly what is included in their package. Some photographers only deliver digital files and expect you to create your own album, while others provide a printed photo album and framed canvas prints.

Finally, it is always a good idea to meet your photographer face-to-face (or at least via video conference) before hiring them. This will give you a better sense of whether or not they are the right fit for you and your vision for your wedding day.