10 Things to Ask a Potential Wedding Photographer
Finding the right vendor for you can be tough, especially the right photographer. After all, they’re capturing the most important day of your life! It’s crucial to ask the right questions so you have all the information you need before making a decision. Here’s a few things I think you should ask before making things official.
1. What’s your photography style?
There are various kinds of wedding photography out there. Styles such as photojournalism/documentary, traditional, and fine art are all common among wedding photographers (or some combination, like me). It’s OK if you don’t know the difference, just ask your potential photographer to describe their work to get an idea of their photography style. It helps to see if you are a good fit!
2. Do you have a team?
Depending on the size of the company, a photographer may have a few other employees that shoot weddings, therefore the person you’re speaking with may not be your day-of photographer. If the person works solo, like me, then they’ll be the one capturing your big day, potentially with the help of a second shooter to make sure every moment is documented.
3. How long have you been photographing weddings?
You’ll want to get a sense of how long your wedding photographer has been in the business and what their workload is like. Understanding their experience can help you make an informed decision.
4. Can I see examples of your work?
This is an important one! Be sure to ask for recent examples so you can get a sense of their photography style. This will be very helpful for deciding if they are the right photographer for you. You’ll want to see more than their best work, so make sure to check out a full wedding album.
5. What is your favorite part of photographing weddings?
This question gives you an idea of what your photographer is drawn to, and what their favorite part of the day is. Their answer will give you a little insight into who they are as an artist, and what aspects of the day they focus on.
6. Have you worked with my planner before?
If they say yes, your wedding planner is a good person to ask for a third party review of the photographer. You can get outside input of the photographer’s style and work ethic. Your planner and photographer will work like a team, making sure you stick to your wedding day timeline.
7. What does your package include?
You’ll want to find out what exactly is included in a wedding day package. You’ll want to ask if it includes an engagement session, photographer for pre- and post-wedding events, and editing and retouching your images in post-production. You should also take this opportunity to figure out if the package is at all customizable, so you can add or subtract things based on your needs.
8. What is the backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding?
If your photographer is unable to shoot your wedding last minute due to an illness or emergency, you should know what the plan will be. Understanding this well in advance will prevent any future stress if something does happen. Always good to have a plan in place!
9. How do you manage the timeline?
You want your photographer to have good time management skills so you don’t miss any part of the wedding and stick to your wedding day timeline. For photography, good light is key, so asking about sneaking out for sunset. Your photographer will love you for it, and you’ll get amazing images! Ask if they’d like to be included when developing the timeline so that everyone is on the same page.
10. Can I see a contract?
Before putting pen to paper, ask to see their contact. Read it over carefully and come back with any last minute questions. After those are answered you can make it official!
If you’re curious, you are always welcome to give me a call and ask questions!
