Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer
When booking a wedding photographer I strongly advise to do some homework & basic question asking to ensure you will be happy with the end results. This is your wedding day we are talking about, the most important day of your life!
The first thing that couples (well mainly brides, come on lads pull your socks up!) do is look for a style that they like and this IS the best way to start. Once you have found that photographer that suits your style (and your budget of course) it won't take long to ask them this list of questions & if they have nothing to hide they won't mind answering these on the spot.
Being in the business myself I hear of a lot of horror stories & unhappy couples & most of the time they could have been easily avoided with a bit of research before placing the booking. Lets face it, you are handing over a lot of money, I can promise that the high cost of wedding photography is definitely justified with the amount of hours involved but you need to make sure they are earning it. For example some photographers edit & check EVERY photo which takes A LOT of time, others however hand over 'straight out of camera' images which in my opinion leaves the image a bit flat and lifeless. Aspects like this and many more as per the questions below will help you book the right photographer for you.
Here is the link to my answers to these questions, I hope this helps & if you have any comments please leave them below. Thank you & above all, have a great wedding day!
Planning
How would you describe your style?
What do you think makes your service stand out?
How far in advance do I need to book with you?
Do you have public liability insurance?
Do you have a portfolio I can view?
What is your backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding for some reason?
Do you charge a travel fee for my location?
What packages do you offer?
Can I customize a package based on my needs?
How much of a deposit do you require and when is the full amount due?
Do you offer a payment plan?
Do you include engagement photos in your packages?
Have you done many weddings that were similar to mine in location and size?
Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?
May I have a list of references?
Have you ever worked at my wedding venue before? If not, do you plan to check it out in advance?
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Will I receive a written contract?
On the Day
What time will you arrive & for how long will you shoot?
What type of equipment do you use?
Do you have backup equipment?
Will you be photographing another wedding/event on the same day as mine?
Can you put together a slideshow of the engagement session (& other photos I provide) and show it during the day or night?
Will you have any assistants with you on the day?
How will you be dressed?
Is it okay if other people take photos while you’re taking photos?
If my event lasts longer than expected, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?
After the day
What type of albums do you offer?
What involvement in creating the album do I have?
Do you provide retouching, color adjustment or other corrective services?
How long after the wedding will I get the images? Will they be viewable online?
Do you provide any other post wedding services?
