Questions to ask a wedding photographer?



Hi my name is (your name). I was looking at your website and your work is just beautiful.

My partner and I are getting married (say when) and we think that your style suits what we are seeking. We are very busy and both work full time so coming to your studio is kind of difficult.

Ive been thinking heaps and there are a few questions that I would ask. I was wondering if you could take a few minutes of your day to answer them for me so we can get the ball rolling with a booking.

1. What type of coverage are you offering and for how long? Do you charge by the hour or just for the day?

You would ask this to work out weather they are charging you by the hour or as a complete package. This will help you decide how long you want to be photographed. This is one of the fundamental questions that brides and grooms fail to ask themselves and their photographer.

2. What is included in your coverage? Which photographer/s will attend my wedding day, and when will I get to meet them`? What will they be wearing?

Find out whom it is that you are paying for; find out when you get to meet them. Sometimes the person you are corresponding with may not be the photographer for your day. Stress that you want to deal with the photographer that will be there on the day only. Sometimes you get the odd jerk who thinks its cool to turn up at your wedding in jeans and a ratty t-shirt, make sure they dont do this, because all your guests will be asking who they guy in the jeans is. Ensure they dress professionally and appropriately.

3. What style of photography are you most comfortable with? What style are you most effective at?

If most of their work is done in a studio, then that begs the question: Will they be any good for my location photos? Remember that they wont have all their lighting equipment and backdrops. If on the other hand they tell you they like a photo journalistic style you can be comfortable that they will most likely get some wonderful candid photos. You should be seeking a mix here of photo journalistic / portraiture skills / as well as lots of wedding experience. The above question has 2 elements to it; they may be comfortable in their studio but most effective at landscape photography. Dont be fooled and be sure to read between the lines of their answer, as mentioned you want to be seeking a mix of styles, skills and experience.

4. What type of experience has my photographer had at weddings? Can you provide some recent examples of work?

You want to make sure these folks are not weekend warriors. You want to seek a professional that makes their living taking wedding photos. Remember that if they provide you with some examples or direct you at their website you will be looking at their best work, dont be too wowed by it, keep your guard up and options open, but dont be afraid of loving what they do either. Just try not to be swept up in their talents because that is the fastest way that they will try and empty your wallet.

5. I am a little self conscious of some of my physical flaws. What can you do to make the most of my physical attributes?

A good photographer will know how to position a subject for the best and most flattering angle, they will use all the light available to maximise effects and they should be creative with their use of the given locations. Use your discretion here to decide if they can answer you seriously or not. Does their response sound plausible or like waffle?

6. What is included in my package?

Most wedding photographers will package up your photos. You will receive this album and these prints with package a, package b consists of this frame and that print as well as these canvases. Well you get the idea! It can be very confusing trying to work out how one guy stacks up against another. Here is where you get to compare apples with apples and this is where you will see a real difference in their professionalism. Make sure they dont just attach a price list here. Remember the most important part of this question is not the question itself, but you actually knowing how you want to display your photos. Their packages wont mean anything to you if you are unclear as to what it is you are seeking.

7. If I dont like a particular element of a package can I swap it for something that I do like? How will this affect the price of my package?

There is just so much choice out there that you dont want to be filtered into something that is convenient for them. If you dont like what they are offering speak up and ask for what you want. If their price suddenly rises you will quickly be able to see who they are in this for. Make sure that there is a large degree of flexibility here otherwise you will end up with things that you dont want and only half hearty like.

8. I am in the process of planning my wedding day and we are thinking around (state the date). Are you available?

Obviously you need to check their availability, dont forget to ask this very obvious question.

9. What is required of me before my wedding day?

Find out what it is that they need you to do. There could be many things a photographer requires of you and there should be. If they say nothing, just turn up this should be raising alarms. You want to be much more prepared and you defiantly want to know what to expect, you dont want your wedding photographer to be a complete stranger to you as they will be guiding a large part of your day and you must have good rapport otherwise they could be on their way to spoiling it for you.

10. I have heard of some photographers doing a pre-wedding photo session at the bride and grooms chosen locations to make sure everything will run smoothly on the day. Do you offer this service? If not, what will you do to ensure that my chosen locations are suitable for wedding photos?

This pre-wedding photography session is not mandatory of course but my experience has shown it to be invaluable in building rapport and expectation as well as alleviating any stress and nerves. If they dont offer the service find out exactly what they do to make sure the location/s are sound. Wedding photographers usually have intimate knowledge of the best locations however they may not know your chosen one and you want to make sure that they also do their home work.

Conclusion

Well thats it for the questions and explanations. I trust that this has shown you just how important and involved selecting a wedding photographer is. I believe that the decision to choose a wedding photographer is just as important as the decision to get married, and now I am positive that you also agree with this point of view.

Sending an email with the above questions contained within will go a long way in helping you to make your decision as to who to go with. You should be seeking someone that can provide you with detailed answers and not just a price list and a response that says: Come to my studio so we can discuss your wedding.

Below I have copied all the questions for you without the explanations so you can copy them straight into an email if you desire. I have also included my contact details. Should you wish to discuss any aspect of wedding photography with me I welcome your emails. I also welcome your comments about this article.

Now you have some more tools you will be better equipped in seeking that elusive wedding photographer. Good luck, have fun searching and may your marriage be a long happy and lasting one.

Here is the cut and paste version for you:

The 10 Questions:

1. What type of coverage are you offering and for how long? Do you charge by the hour or just for the day?

2. What is included in your coverage? Which photographer(s) will attend my wedding day? What will they be wearing?

3. What style of photography are you most comfortable with? What style are you most effective at?

4. What type of experience has my photographer had at weddings? Can you provide some recent examples of work?

5. I am a little self conscious of some of my physical flaws. What can you do to make the most of my physical attributes?

6. What is included in my package?

7. If I dont like a particular element of a package can I swap it for something that I do like? How will this affect the price of my package?

8. I am in the process of planning my wedding day and we are thinking around (state the date). Are you available?

9. What is required of me before my wedding day?

10. I have heard of some photographers doing a pre-wedding photo session at the bride and grooms chosen locations to make sure everything will run smoothly on the day. Do you offer this service? If not, what will you do to ensure that my chosen locations are suitable for wedding photos?