The Top Questions To Ask Wedding Photographers
Other than selecting your wedding date and venue, your wedding Photographer is perhaps the most important person you’ll be hiring for your wedding day. Here are a list of questions to ask wedding Photographers – so that you get exactly what you are looking for.
Wedding Style
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Can You Describe Your Wedding Style?
A wedding Photographers style is perhaps the most important thing to consider, when hiring them for your wedding. Some Photographers prefer to be in the background; while others are front and center to all of the action. I approach weddings from a very photo-journalistic style. There are times where I will organize the bunch and get posed shots (family portraits, bridal party photos, etc.) – but most of the day I will be in the background. Capturing moments as they present themselves naturally. At no time in the wedding do I want the focus to be on me. It’s your day and I am just there to capture it!
Can I See An Entire Wedding Gallery?
Almost ANY wedding Photographer can hand pick 100 of their greatest images – from the perfect wedding, in the perfect light, and the perfect moments. You can get a really great understanding of their wedding style by seeing an entire wedding – from start-to-finish.
Wedding Images
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How Many Images Do You Typically Deliver?
This is important. Some Photographers will deliver as little as 100 to 200 of the best wedding images. And that’s it. Other Photographers will deliver much more than this. I prefer to capture a lot of candid moments of your wedding day and guarantee at least 800 edited images. Most weddings I deliver around 1,000+ images. Not every images will be magazine worthy – but if it captures a fun moment or a great expression I will edit and deliver the image 🙂
Are The Images Sized Down or Watermarked?
Depending on what you plan on doing with the images, this is an important thing to ask. A lot of wedding Photographers will place watermarks non their images. I simply ask that you credit me somewhere in the photos caption 🙂
Can I Make My Own Prints?
Some wedding studios do not allow you to make prints on your own. There are many reasons for this. For example, Photographers want to ensure that any prints are of the highest standard. Most Photographers also want to up-sell you on the cost of prints 🙂 This can be a HUGE added cost – if you plan on making large print orders or a wedding album. I make this process very simple. I give you the ability to make prints on your own, recommend a GREAT local printing shop (Bay Photo), and can assist you in making a wedding album.
Worst Case Scenarios
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What Happens If You Are Sick On My Wedding Day?
A nightmare scenario would be if your wedding Photographer just did not show up. Things happen – but you always need a backup plan. For all of the weddings that I shoot, I have another Photographer there for at least part of the wedding. It has never happened, but in a situation where I cannot make it to the wedding, the other Photographer can step in and capture your wedding day.
Do You Have Business Insurance?
Some venues require all of the vendors to have insurance. Most do not. Having business insurance shows that your wedding Photographer takes their business seriously. It covers any accidents and their equipment in the case of an emergency.
Do You Have Backup Equipment?
I have actually had two wedding clients that had previous weddings where their Photographers gear stopped working. I think it was back in the film days – but still… this would not be good! Your Photographer should have at least two cameras and back up lenses. The last thing you want is to have to shoot part of the wedding from an iPhone 🙂
Experience
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Have You Shot A Wedding At My Venue or a Similar Venue?
Having shot a wedding at your venue would be nice – but it is not a huge deal if your wedding Photographer has not. There are hundreds of wedding venues in the Bay Area and so this is not out of the question. On the flip-side, hiring a Photographer that has shot dozens of weddings at your venue may actually work against you. Chances are, they will approach your wedding the same way as they did the previous dozen weddings that they shot at the venue. Every wedding is different than the next and you want your Photographer to have a blank slate and fresh ideas for your wedding.
It is important that they have shot in similar settings. If they are not comfortable shooting in dimly lit wedding settings, you may not get the results you were hoping for. This goes back to seeing an entire wedding gallery.
How Many Weddings Have You Shot – As The Primary Photographer?
A lot of wedding Photographers shoot weddings as “second shooters.” This means that they are not the primary Photographer. It may not seem like a huge deal, but there is a MAJOR difference. The main Photographer is hired by the Bride-and-Groom, they organize the wedding photos, and have all of the responsibility. Second shooters are important but have a lot less responsibility. They may only shoot a fraction of a wedding day and may not have experience taking charge for family portraits, for example.
Do You Have Any Reviews?
Some Photographers are great at selling themselves – but do not just take their word for it 🙂 Seeing what past clients are saying about their experience with a Photographer is important. If they have 5 reviews, there is a good chance that 3 of them are from friends and family! If they have dozens of reviews, this should give you a great glimpse into their credibility.
Booking The Wedding
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What is Required to Book My Wedding Date?
This can vary from one wedding Photographer to the next. You should ALWAYS sign some kind of contract that outlines what you and the Photographer are responsible for. Along with a contract, some form of deposit will be required to book the wedding. Some Photographers ask for as much as 50% of the costs up front. I prefer to have a nominal deposit of $250.
When Is The Final Payment Due?
This can also vary between wedding photographers. I require the final payment to be made two weeks before your wedding date.
Hopefully this information is useful 🙂 If you have any questions on wedding photography or you are planning a wedding, I would love to hear from you. The best way to reach out to me is through the contact form on my website! Thanks 🙂
