Long after your wedding day has come and gone, when you’ve had children or maybe even grandchildren, you will look at your wedding photos and reminisce about that incredible day in your life. Wedding photos provide a gateway to your past and spark fond memories. And the better the photos are, the better your memories will be captured. This is why finding the right wedding photographer is so important—and finding the right photographer is all about getting the right fit. It’s wise to do your research to find the person who best matches what you’re looking for. Here are some important questions to ask your wedding photographer before you hire them.
1. Will You Be Photographing My Wedding?
If you’re dealing with a larger studio that has multiple photographers, it’s important to know specifically who will be taking the photos on your wedding day. You might be dealing with an owner or a sales representative during the first meeting. If it’s a studio with multiple photographers, make sure to know precisely who will be doing the shooting, and what their work looks like so that you know you approve.
2. What Are The Logistics Of The Transaction?
This question will actually be multiple questions, and it’s very important to make sure that all of the information covered by asking these questions is included in the contract you sign with your photographer. Having the answers to these questions stated in a contract could save you a lot of money if something goes wrong with your agreement.
- How do you accept payments?
- Can I pay in installations?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Do you require a deposit, and if so, how much is it?
3. Have You Photographed My Style Of Wedding Before?
Depending on what your cultural background is, you may have a different style of wedding compared to what the wedding photographer is used to. It’s important to ask if they have any experience shooting your style of wedding, because it can make a major difference.
Someone who is well versed in your culture’s traditions will know which areas of the wedding and day are the most important to get pictures of. If your photographer doesn’t have any experience in your style of wedding, they may miss out on some crucial moments. You’ll want to get the perfect ceremony photos, so let them know what you’re thinking and if they’re able to provide it for you.
It’s also important to relay to the photographer where your venue is and how many guests you’re expecting. If you’re having a larger-than-normal wedding, your photographer may be inexperienced and will require a heads-up so that they can get an assistant. On the other hand, they may have already photographed at your wedding venue before, which will be a plus for you.
4. Can We See Your Work?
This is one of the most important questions to ask. You’ll want to see what the photographer’s work looks like to see if it matches what you’re envisioning your wedding day. You may see their work and not like it.
Getting a sense of their style and how they operate will go a long way towards getting the wedding photos you truly want. You can also ask to see some of the photographer’s work from various engagement photo locations. The engagement photo session is a little bit different, and you’ll want to see if he or she is able to capture the right moments.
5. Ask About Pricing
Ask your wedding photographer if they offer any specific packages. Asking about this could save you a lot of money, but many couples don’t know to ask. Similarly, you’ll also want to know what types of extra charges the photographer may have for specific requests or overtime. Ask him or her if you will be able to customize any packages that they have, and find out if their pricing includes engagement photos and/or rehearsals as well.
6. Ask About Photo Prints
Most wedding photographers do the printing themselves these days, but you never know—it’s still important to find out if you’re able to get the photo prints directly from them or if you’ll need to go somewhere else.
It’s also important to find out how long the photographer will take before they get the photos back to you. There have been disaster stories of photographers taking more than six months to get the photos back! Knowing the approximate wait time beforehand will prepare you for what to expect.
Also, be sure to find out exactly what you’re getting from them when you purchase the prints. What type of editing are they doing? You don’t want someone who goes a little too crazy.
Being able to put a beautiful photo album together is important. See what types of albums the photographer offers, and if it’s what you’re looking for. There are many different photo album options out there, and it’s good to research the various styles and see what suits your taste the most.
Conclusion
More than likely, you’re going to sit down with any prospective wedding photographer to get a feel for them. Going in without having questions in mind will only cause you more work and trouble down the road. Being prepared with an idea of what you want should allow you to have a smooth process in finding the perfect wedding photographer for you. Good luck!