Choosing a destination wedding photographer in Italy from another country is a leap of faith. You can't meet for a coffee, you can't see them at work, and you'll probably sign a contract after two video calls. So the questions you ask matter more than usual.

I'm obviously not neutral here, but after many years photographing destination weddings in Italy, these are the questions I'd ask if I were in your place.

1. Can I see full galleries?

A portfolio shows the best thirty pictures of the best weddings. A full gallery shows what you'll actually receive: the family photos, the speeches, the dance floor at one in the morning. Ask for two or three complete weddings, ideally in places similar to yours.

2. Have you worked in my region, or at my venue?

Italy is many countries in one. Lake Como, Tuscany, Rome and the Amalfi Coast have different light, different logistics and different rules. A photographer who knows the area knows where the sun sets behind the mountains, which staircase is best at five in the afternoon and how long it really takes to get from the church to the villa.

3. Who will actually photograph my wedding?

Some studios sell the name of the founder and send an associate. There's nothing wrong with associates, but you should know in advance. At Cinemotions Films the founder is personally present at every wedding, and that's one of the reasons we accept a limited number each year.

4. How do you work with light?

Look at the portraits in strong sun and in the dark. Are the faces natural? Are the colors consistent? Italian light is beautiful but strong, and a good photographer will help you build the timeline around it, suggesting the right time for the ceremony and the portraits.

5. How do you handle a multi-day wedding?

Most destination weddings in Italy last two or three days. Ask how they cover the welcome dinner, the wedding day and the brunch, and whether the same person will be there throughout.

6. Do you also make films, or work with a videographer?

If you want both photography and film, a single team with one signature is usually smoother: they plan together, they don't get in each other's way, and the result looks coherent. We wrote more about it in do you need both a photographer and a videographer?

7. What about backups, permits and drones?

• Do they carry spare cameras and memory cards, and how do they back up the files on the day?
• Are they insured?
• Do they know the permits needed for drones and for photographing in certain public places?
• What happens if they're ill? Is there a plan B?

8. When and how will we receive the photographs?

Ask about delivery times, the number of images, the online gallery and the album. And ask to see a finished album: it tells you a lot about how much they care.

Red flags when choosing a destination wedding photographer in Italy

• Only Instagram-style highlights, no full galleries.
• No contract, or a contract that doesn't name who will be there.
• Pressure to book immediately with a discount.
• Very heavy editing that changes skin tones and colors from one picture to the next.

If you're looking for a photographer in Italy, have a look at our luxury wedding photography and write to us. We're happy to send you full galleries from weddings like yours.