If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding, putting all of the pieces together can be tedious and overwhelming. Especially when it comes to picking the best photographer from the bunch. There are some questions you can and should ask that will help you find the perfect match.
The first thing you should find out is if they are available on your wedding date. If you get this out of the way straight up, you will avoid doing all the legwork for nothing. Prioritise booking a photographer in the early stages of planning as spots often fill quickly.
The next thing I would ask is how much experience they have. Have they done many weddings or how many do they do in a year? This one comes down to personal preference. If you ask to see a portfolio as well it will help you establish their style. Does it match with what your vision and expectations for your day?
Ask them who will be shooting on the day. Will they be personally attending, or do they usually send out another member from their team. Will it be one person or multiple. If it’s going to be someone else, ask to meet the person or people that will be attending. If you’re familiar and comfortable with them before the day, it will avoid feeling like you’re spending your time and intimate moments with a stranger/s. You can also ask what experience they have to offer.
What equipment will they be using, and do they have backup options should something fail on the day. They should be able to break down briefly what equipment they use and how they have overcome issues in the past. What will they bring with them to combat wet weather or bad lighting?
If you’re concerned about how they will blend in on the day, you can ask what they or their team plans on wearing. Discuss your preference with them to ascertain whether they are the right fit. Again, this is up to you, but it might make guests feel more comfortable in opening up in front of them if they look the part.
Discuss the packages they offer and price point. Get them to define what is inclusive in the price of each package and if there is any hidden fees. What rate do they charge per hour that is over the amount of hours booked for the day? Does their rate go up or down for any reason? At this point you could also discuss their terms and conditions on refunds and cancellations. Find out if the upfront deposit is refundable should the worst happen, or what would you’re entitled to should you find yourself unhappy with the final results.
If you’ve booked a venue by the time you’re searching for a photographer, you can ask if they have been there or have had prior shoots at the location. If they have, they will already know the areas around the venue that are ideal for taking photos. This will save time as they won’t be searching for it on the day. If they haven’t, perhaps they could do some research or visit the location before the day, so they are familiar with it.
Ask them what kind of photos they plan on taking on the day. There will obviously be a time for the posing, of the bride and groom and bridal party, but you can discuss what they plan on achieving in the time in between. Will they be asking guests to stop dancing so they can pose for a photo, or are they comfortable enough to capture candid photos in motion. Also, ask if they plan on taking photos of the smaller details that tell the story of the day, like table arrangements, the cake, the set up etc.
How long will it take to get your photos back? They should be able to give you a timeframe as to how long it will take to process and print your pictures. Will they post anything online? Are you comfortable with them posting your pictures on their website or social media? You could also ask how much editing they plan on applying to the pics. Some photographers like to change wedding photos to black and white. If this is the case, find out if they will keep the original as well so you have a colour option and black and white to choose from.
