Choosing a Wedding Photographer is a “BIG THING”
To help you make that huge decision, I’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your wedding photographer before you book. Of course, feel free to ask any that aren’t listed here too. It’s important that you and your wedding photographer vibe and are on the same page.
1. Ask Your Wedding Photographer If Your Date Is Available?
This seems an impossibly silly question, but definitely the most important question to ask your wedding photographer to start with!
Wedding photographers get booked up quickly, especially during the summer months. I’d suggest to start making enquiries as soon as your venue is booked.
2. Will Your Wedding Photographer Offer Different Packages.
One of the most important questions to ask your wedding photographer before you book is what packages they offer. Some wedding photographers will simply shoot from bridal preparation through to the first dance. Whilst others will offer half day or small wedding packages. Similarly, you might find wedding photography packages that include albums and prints and others that are digital download only.
Above all, make sure that you know what you are actually paying for when looking at wedding photographers. Be certain that you are comparing like for like! And remember to ask for what you want, I know that I’d be flexible enough to try and accommodate any specifics.
3. Ask Your Wedding Photographer If They Travel Outside Their Local Area?
Interestingly, there are wedding photographers that like to stick to shooting at wedding venues within a local radius. (It has to be noted that I’m not one of them!)
However, it is good to bear in mind that while a wedding photographer might have to travel far and wide to attend your wedding day, he/she will possibly be involved with the expense of a hotel the night before. This will be to avoid any unpredictable traffic delays on the day. (No wedding photographer needs that kind of stress!) As a result of this, an extra charge to cover this might be incurred. Again, be certain about whether this is included in your wedding photography quote or not.
4. What Is Your Wedding Photographers Style And How Do They Shoot The Day?
If you’ve done a little research, you’ll have an idea of your photographers style. Obviously this differs greatly from photographer to photographer. Take a close look at their website and social pages. Are they consistent and is their style clear? Are they a documentary wedding photographer? Someone who will shoot your day authentically with little or no posed moments. Or, are they an editorial style wedding photographer? Someone who will create more posed magazine style portraits for you.
Similarly, you’ll find wedding photographers that will edit in a dark and moody tone, others are light and airy. Therefore, it makes sense to be clear about what you like and choose a wedding photographer that fits that brief.
Be sure to ask your wedding photographer this question before you book if you’re unsure.
5. Before You Book Your Wedding Photographer Ask How Much Experience They Have?
Importantly, your wedding photographer needs to know what he/she is doing! It’s ok to ask how many years they’ve been doing it, or how many weddings they shoot a year. Photographing a wedding is not a job that you want to entrust to someone with little or no experience. Nor is it a job you’ll want to give to a guest. Creating a full gallery of amazing wedding pictures is a huge responsibility. One that can’t be done properly by someone who has only half their attention on the job.
It’s a fast paced day, which when photographed well will reward you with pictures that make you feel like you are back in your wedding. They will become your family history and will make you feel like you’re back in your day. Having trust that your wedding photographer can deliver this is a big one!
6. An Important Question To Ask Your Wedding Photographer … Can You See More Of Their Work?
It goes without saying that a wedding photographer will showcase their best work. Ultimately though you’ll want to check out full real galleries to see that their work is consistent. Without a doubt you’ll want to make sure that your wedding photographer can make creative and authentic pictures all day long, not just one or two that they then pop on Insta!
A competent wedding photographer will be willing and proud to show off their work. Thus illustrating that what you see on their website is a true reflection of what to expect from your own wedding photography. Similarly you should ask to see albums and prints too.
7. Will You Meet Your Wedding Photographer Before The Wedding?
So, if all the above is going swimmingly you’ll no doubt be at the meeting up stage.
Whereas some wedding photographers won’t meet you before the wedding day, I do always insist on it. Even if it’s just a Zoom call at the very least. Your wedding photographer is going to be with you all day, you need to be comfortable around them. Because of this, meet them, size them up and make sure you get along.
8. Is Your Photographer Familiar With Your Venue?
In my opinion, this point isn’t a deal breaker, but one to ask out of interest!
Personally, I love a new venue, it keeps things fresh and creative. I’ll often take a quick trip to check it out before the wedding day, so it’s no disadvantage having not shot there before. Although, if it’s a trek away this isn’t always possible. In this instance, getting to the location early and scoping it out works just fine.
9. What’s The Booking Process?
Securing your date once you’ve chosen your photographer is paramount. Ask how to do this. Most probably you’ll be asked to pay a booking fee and the remainder of your balance several weeks before the wedding. Make sure you know this to help with your budgeting!
Similarly, a contract should be sent to cover both you and your wedding photographer. It might sound obvious, but read before you sign!
10. What Happens Once You Book?
You should be guided through this and your photographer should be willing and able to help you with any questions or queries that come up along the way. At the same time though, it is also perfectly normal to not hear from your wedding photographer until much nearer the wedding day. So, don’t panic if you don’t have correspondence for a while!
Personally, I like to meet up with my couples a couple of weeks before the wedding day to go over any last minute details and to check all is in place for the day. I find it helpful to know the timeline of your day before the big event happens. In addition to this, if you want any group and family shots I’ll ask for a list of these prior to the day too. Notably, most wedding photographers will at least send out a details form for you to complete.
11. Can You See Reviews And Testimonials?
Don’t take your photographers word for it!
They might think they’re great, but listen to what others say. Read the reviews, look at social media comments. If you know someone who has used them before ask their opinion on the service they got. Likewise, Google reviews will help to outline the quality of service to expect from your wedding photographer.
12. What Happens if Your Photographer Can’t Make It On The Day?
Trust me when I say that any wedding photographer will have to have broken a leg to not make it to your wedding. We will endeavour to get there come hell or high water. Nonetheless, accidents and incidentals do happen. Sometimes these things just can’t be helped, but your wedding photographer should have a back up plan in place. This usually comes in the form of a team of stand in wedding photographers with a similar style.
13. Do They Have Insurance?
Just an add on to the above really. Because it pays to cover all eventualities.
14. Do They Have Back-up Equipment?
Again, it’s best to be on the safe side. One of my top questions to ask your wedding photographer before you book. Covering all eventualities leads to a stress free experience all round. Another to add to the list of questions to ask your wedding photographer before you book.
15. How Long Will You Wait For Your Photos?
After the wedding day, the fun (AKA hard graft) starts for your wedding photographer. Hours of editing and high and low season means that turn around times vary greatly. With this in mind, make sure that your wedding photographer manages your expectations. It’s quite normal to wait 6 weeks or so during peak summer season. As a side note, I’ll promise you your gallery within four!
16. Can They Provide Albums and Books?
Now you are probably going to want to do something wonderful with all your photos. Find out about album design and whether this is included in your package or offered as an add on. Secondly, if prints are your thing, it makes sense to get a price list for these too.
To Wrap up Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer Before You Book.
In contrast to all the factual stuff listed above, I’m just going to touch on empathy. This is a big one for me and here’s why. There is a well known quote by photographer Robert Capa that says “If your photos aren’t good enough, then you’re not close enough”
I totally subscribe to this. As a wedding photographer I’ve learnt the advantage of getting close to my couples and their families both mentally and physically. (In a non stalker-ish way!) I’ll take the time to get to know you and your family dynamics giving me a head start on the day. During the day, I’m kind, approachable and warm. I’ll put you and your guests at ease, in order to not intimidate when I’m in the mix. I get close, to create beautiful intimate images, most of which are made from moments that you would have missed.
This approach needs empathy. You need to be able to read the room, know when to jump in and know when to stay back. My wedding photography approach is documentary, so I’ll be looking for authentic connections. I won’t be the photographer that orchestrates fake happenings, rather the one that blends in as one of the guests.
Now You’ve Finished Questions To Ask Your wedding Photographer Before You Book, I’d Love To Hear From You!
It’s easy to get in touch, drop me a line and I’ll get back to you.
