6 important questions you should ask your Wedding Photographer before booking

There are so many lists out there from so many places, giving an endless slew of questions couples should ask their Photographer; and while many of them are helpful, here are a few “insider” questions I would have my own daughter ask that don’t often make those lists.

 

1 – Please describe how much editing which will be done on our images, and will different levels of editing be completed for different stages/uses? *ASK FOR EXAMPLES.

I can’t express enough that this is among one of the most important questions to ask aside from the basics. There is a huge variance on the level of editing, but also the level of editing done on images depending on what they are being used for, or the stage of viewing they are in. You may be asking yourself, what does she mean? To give you a better understanding, here are a few of the most popular ways Photographers do things:

• Some Photographers will only complete basic edits (skin tones, exposure, etc) on your gallery, and retouching (blemish removal, body shaping, removing distracting things from the background of a photo, etc) is only done to to the images you order as a print or product through them directly. When you get your Digital Files with rights to re-print, you will get the basic edits as well as the retouched edits.

• Some Photographers will do the same as above, but only provide the basic edits when you getyour Digital Files with rights to re-print.

• Then there are some Photographers that will make sure that any image you receive that has the rights to re-print will be inclusive of basic edits and all retouching. 

2 – Can you provide a full wedding gallery for a wedding you previously shot at our venue or somewhere with similar lighting?

If you are having your ceremony in a dark cathedral and your reception in a hotel banquet hall, looking at an outdoor wedding sample may be beautiful… but doesn’t reflect whether the Photographer has the skill level to produce the same image quality in a low light environment.

3 – Can you provide example images of your open dancing time for guests?

 To avoid being surprised by the look of a Photographers “open dance” photos, ask for samples from several weddings; as often the “open dance” photos are not reflected on a Photographers standard online portfolio sample. Styles can range dramatically from bright lighting with several off camera flashes to little off camera flash and intentional motion blur or light dragging. Below are two different techniques.

4 – What is the process AND turn around to receiving our images and products?

It’s so easy to be focused on the turn around time they Clients often forget to ask about the process. Not only should you have a reasonable expectation of when and how you will be able to first view your photos, but what the process is from that point?

For example  Will you see them in person before they go on an online gallery? Will ordering take place during a viewing meeting or online? What is the turnaround time for products to be ready after you place an order? And if you are getting Digital Files, how and when will they be provided?

5 – Can you provide a Print and Product pricing guide?

This is a big one to ask. This varies so widely in this industry and largely depends on your Photographers pricing structure. Learning more about your Photographers Print and Product prices may make a big impact on your overall investment expectations and is good to know in advance. Don’t be afraid to ask for things to be included in your Collection either! If you know you are going to want a gift print for each of your parents and grandparents, often including it in your contract can save you money and lock in your product pricing.

6 – How much would you like to kept in the loop during the wedding planning process?

This is a GREAT question to ask your Photographer, and I wish that more couples would ask me this! Some Photographers love being right in there with you throughout the process, learning about your flower choices, seeing photos of the dress and much more; while others like to be more in the background and can’t wait to hear all the fun details once they are completely finalized right before the big day. 

 

 

Though no matter how many questions you ask, the biggest thing I can recommend to couples in search of a Photographer to capture your incredible day is make sure that when you meet with them you have a connection. I tell all of my couples that if you can’t see yourself being able to sit down with me and have a drink just to chat about life and laugh about random things together as people, then we shouldn’t work together…. because having a connection with someone is the key to feeling comfortable and letting your true personality come through on one of the biggest days of your life.