Did someone say yes? Congratulations! You’re officially engaged! The next step is to start making preparations for the wedding day! As we all know, photographs of this special day are a MUST. These photographs are going to capture one of the most beautiful moments of your life, so it is vital that you choose the right photographers for the job. Unfortunately, we’ve heard stories from many brides having a bad experience with their wedding photographer. Whether it be the way the photos were taken or the photographer themself, selecting the wrong one can be detrimental for your special day. That’s why it is a smart idea to interview your photographer before signing the contract! You’ll be spending an entire day with the photographer you choose, so in addition to their photography style, choosing a person that offers a great experience as well is key. To help you ensure you find the perfect wedding photographer for your best day ever, we compiled a list of the top things you want to ask your wedding photographer before signing the contract!
Top Things You Want to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Availability
While it may seem like an obvious question, asking your photographer if they’re available for your wedding day is vital. Many couples skip this important question, and when they’ve finally thought they found the perfect photographer for the job, they get the bad news that they’re not available. This should be one of the very first questions you ask before starting the interview process. Availability questions you should ask include:
- Is my wedding date available?
- Will you be the one shooting my wedding? If not, can I meet the person who will be on-site?
- Will you have an assistant with you on my wedding day?
- How many weddings will you photograph that day?
Photography Style
Of course, you want to make sure you select a photographer that offers you a style you like. Many people don’t realize that different photographers have different styles that result in completely different photos. No photographer is the same, so you have to make sure you’ll not only like, but LOVE their style! Questions you could ask include:
- How would you describe your photography style?
- What would you compare your work to?
- How would you describe your working style?
- Do you prefer to blend into the background to capture candid moments, or do you like to be more visible and take charge to choreograph images?
- Do you shoot digitally or with film?
Background Check
When one hears the word “background check,” one usually thinks of criminal history. However, while you don’t want to hire a shady person to photograph your wedding day, what we mean by background check is the photographer’s experience. This is where you ask them for samples of their past work and how long they’ve been doing photography. You want to be sure you get someone that knows what they’re doing. Questions you could ask to get a nice idea of their background includes:
- For how long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you done?
- Do you often shoot weddings that have a similar size and style to the one we are planning?
- Can we see galleries of a few of your recent weddings?
- Have you ever shot a wedding at our ceremony and reception venues? If not, do you plan to check the venues out in advance?
- Look for reviews on yelp and google.
Pricing & Packages
Once you’ve found an available photographer that offers you the experience and style you’ve been looking for, you can get into the details of pricing and packages! Common questions you can ask include:
- What is included in your standard package? What add-ons are available?
- Can I customize a package?
- Are engagement photos included in your packages? What about pre-wedding events like rehearsal dinners?
- How many hours are included in each package? Are extra hours available, and if so, how much is it?
- Do you offer retouching services? Are they included or an additional charge?
- Do you charge a travel fee for weddings away from the area? If so, how much?
General Logistic Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Selecting the perfect photographer is like an interview process. You want to be sure you choose the right one, so be sure you eliminate any of your doubts and ask away! General logistic questions you can ask your potential photographer include:
- By when will we receive the contract?
- How much is the retainer? When is it due?
- Do you accept payments in installations?
- What is your refund policy?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Do you have a backup plan if you are unable to shoot my wedding for an unexpected reason?
- Can we request a list of specific shots we would like included?
Preparing for your best day ever is no easy task. That’s why preparing for it by taking the time to explore your options and make informed decisions is essential. Deciding on the perfect wedding photographer is a big task, and knowing what questions to ask can really help simplify the process! We hope this list of top things you want to ask your wedding photographer helps you select the PERFECT wedding photographer for your special day! Remember, your photographer shouldn’t just offer you a product, but an experience! Mike and I enjoy getting to know our clients, walking through life alongside them, making sure they have everything they need, and even talking a bride off the ledge if needed! Anytime we are photographing our clients, our goal is to make sure they are the best version of themselves. Confident, laughing, and enjoying the moment.
