You’ll be spending a lot of time with your photographer throughout your wedding day, so you’ll want to make sure you know the questions to ask a wedding photographer before booking them. So what’s the best way to find “the one”? First, search online vendor reviews to find a list of talented photographers near you, check out their portfolios, and pick out a few photographers you’d like to interview. Before you sit down with them, first make sure that they have your date available – if the answer is no, there’s no need to schedule a Wedding Chat. But if they do have your date available, meet for an interview — and have a good sense of what questions to ask a wedding photographer.
Be sure you know the right questions to ask a wedding photographer before stepping into that first meeting!
How would you describe your style of photography and can I see examples?
You’ll likely hear words like “photojournalistic,” “traditional,” “formal,” “documentary,” or “creative” but frequently these mean different things to different people. Ask a photographer to walk you through his or her work to help illuminate a description.
Have you ever photographed a wedding at my venue before?
If the answer is yes, ask to see the images that were shot at your venue to make sure they mesh with your vision. If the answer is no, it’s certainly not a deal-breaker, but ask the wedding photographer if they would be willing to “scout” or check out your location in advance of the wedding to pick backdrops, etc.
Will you be the one photographing my wedding?
This is one of the most important questions to ask a wedding photographer. If the photographer works solo, the answer would be an obvious yes. However, if you’re interviewing a photographer from a bigger company, make sure that the person you’re talking to will be the one who will show up on your wedding day.
What if you get sick or an emergency comes up and you can’t photograph my wedding?
It’s one of those uncomfortable questions for a wedding photographer, but is super-important. A photographer who works alone should have a good back-up plan in case of emergency, one that makes you feel comfortable and secure.
Are you insured?
A professional photographer should have insurance in case their equipment breaks, is stolen, or an accident occurs. This question also helps weed out the weekend warrior photographers from the reputable ones.
Can I see the full album from a wedding?
Some photographers will just show you a collection of their best images, instead of the full set of images from a wedding, start to finish. You’ll want to see images from every part of a wedding – getting ready, the ceremony, first dance, etc. – not just the most creative or dreamy portraits.
What do your packages include?
Ask to see their pricing and a list of what each package includes. Find out if the photographer is flexible about adding and subtracting elements of their packages to help work with your budget.
How and when will I receive my photos?
Find out how long it will take for your photographer to send you your images. About four to six weeks is pretty standard. At BMPhoto we try to have them done in 2-3 weeks and often finish them earlier. Also, find out how you will receive the images. Will you receive a USB drive so you can print the images yourself, or will they be in an online gallery where you can order prints and download photos?
How many photographers will cover my wedding? Will you have a second shooter or assistant?
The answer to this really depends on the size of your wedding. If you’re having a smaller wedding, one photographer may be sufficient. But if you’re having a bigger wedding with lots of guests, you’ll likely need at least one if not two additional shooters. Talk to the potential photographer to make sure he or she is comfortable working with the size of your wedding.
How do you like to schedule a wedding day?
It might seem like one of the stranger questions to ask a wedding photographer, but it’s an important one. It’s essential for a photographer to have good time management skills and to be able to create a photography timeline that will work for your big day. Their ability to stay on schedule will affect how your wedding day plays out. Do they prefer to do portraits before or after the ceremony? How flexible are they to hearing your ideas and vision of your day?
Do you shoot mostly in black and white or color?
This is really personal preference, make sure that your photographer’s style fits with yours, or that he or she is flexible and willing to adjust to your vision.
How long have you been photographing weddings and how many weddings do you photograph a year?
Get a sense of your photographer’s experience and workload. At BMPhoto we have shot over 150 weddings since 2011.
What do you love most about photographing weddings?
This is one of the most important questions to ask your wedding photographer to help get a sense of his or her personality, and to see if he or she seems genuinely excited to share your wedding day with you.
Can I see a contract?
If you think you’re ready to move forward with a photographer, ask to see his or her contract, read it carefully, and follow up with any additional questions you may have.
Do you require a deposit? When is the balance due?
Most photographers will require a deposit. The deposit ensure that the photographer saves your date. In the case you cancel on them while they could have booked other clients they can recoup some if the lost wages by keeping your deposit. Deposits are typically non-refundable. Be sure to find out when your balance is due. Do not be afraid to ask about payment plans as many photographers are very flexible. Make sure you find out what form of payment they accept (cash, card, check, PayPal, Venmo, etc.)
Good luck!
Have a great day,
Bryan
Bryan Michael Photography (BMPhoto)
Now accepting 2 clients for 2020 and 5 clients for 2021!