There are many questions you may have for your wedding photographer and it is important to make sure you know everything before you hire them to capture your big day. Here is a list of questions you should be asking your photographer!

AVAILABILITY

Is our date available?
This is probably one of the most important questions considering it’s your wedding date! If the photographer isn’t available, it isn’t worth asking any further questions unless you are able to switch your date.

When I decided my wedding date, I made sure the photographer I wanted was open before I set the venue and other services in stone. The photography is one of the most important services for your wedding day but what can I say, as a photographer myself, I’m a little biased. Haha!

What happens if the photographer is ill?
This tends to be vary with each photographer. You will want to know what would happen if your photographer becomes ill.

I make sure I have a backup photographer that has a similar style to mine in place. If they have no answer to this question, I would rethink you choice! Yikes! 

Will you have an assistant?
Some photographers have these and some don’t. If your photographer has an assistant option, it’s definitely worth consideration! Chances are, there will be an additional fee…in some cases it’s totally worth it though!

I would say the deciding factors are whether or not you have a large wedding that you want more coverage with and whether or not your event will span multiple locations.

In any case, I would always say if budget allows it, go ahead with an assistant, you almost will never regret it. I mean,  you’ll have two cameras and angles on all the action so you will also get more photos! I mean really, who can say no to having more photos on your big day?! 

Click here to inquire about your date! I would love to hear from you! 🙂

EXPERIENCE

What is your style?
There are many different styles when it comes to weddings. Some photographers are very traditional, some are bright and airy some are moody and dark. Choosing a photographer that has a style you love will guarantee you love your photos! 

How many weddings have you shot?
Hiring a photographer that is well experienced is key. They can give you vendor recommendations, an ideal timeline and deliver beautiful photos because they know what they’re doing!

Or maybe there’s a chance you want to help out a photographer friend or an upcoming new photographer who needs a little more to their portfolio.

Obviously more experienced photographers will have a higher price attached but that all comes with the benefits of that experience which you will see from their preparation, to their execution the day of and editing/product delivery.

Make the choice that suits your budget and is right for you!

Do you use backup equipment?
This is like a backup to your backup, very important. When I shoot weddings, I make sure I bring two cameras, multiple lenses, sd cards and a hard drive. Making sure your photos are safe and backed up asap will help you (and me) feel less stressed.

How long until I receive my images?
This question will vary as well. The standard delivery time for weddings are around 6-8 weeks. I try my best to deliver within 4 weeks because I know many couples cannot wait to see their beautiful day.

However, other deliverables such as photo books, and prints will likely take longer to prepare and deliver.

COLLECTIONS

What all do you provide in your packages?
You want to make sure you are getting the most out of your wedding photographer. What you want to look for is coverage time, delivery methods, and prints.

Chances are, you aren’t going to want to print a bunch of photos after your wedding so having us photographers do it for ya as a plus.

I use a professional lab to make sure your photos look stunning and lasts for a lifetime! So, just be sure that the package includes everything you want and don’t be afraid to ask about enhancement options to customize your needs.

How many photographs will we get?
Could you imagine you just got married a few weeks ago and your photos are finally here only to realize you got about 50 images. oof!!

A typical amount you should receive is around 500-800, however it honestly depends on the photographer and the package.

Do you charge a travel fee?
Some photographers will charge based on how many miles/hours they have to drive and some may not, this depends on how far the venue and reception is from where they are based.

Most of the time, if it’s a few hundred miles out, you should consider providing a hotel and flight (or gas). This would likely be outside of a typical package.

Some photographers may have a ‘destination wedding package’ and others may prefer to handle them on a case by case basis. Regardless, if you really love the photographer and your budget alots it, why not? It’s your wedding day, you deserve the best! 

How much is the deposit to book our date? Can we pay in increments?
This question is a perfect one that I feel a lot of brides may not ask (but let’s be honest, everyone is wondering)! Most of the time, the down-payment is around 15-50% of the total package depending on the photographer.

Knowing how much you need will help you also decide on a photographer and package. In my experience, most of us photographers let our clients pay in increments. We know how pricey weddings can get so we are relaxed about doing this!

You will also want to ask when your payments are due as most photographers require full payment due about 1 month before the big day.

These are just a few questions you should be asking your wedding photographer. Just be sure to choose your photographer based on the following:

• Is there a connection between both of you?
• Do your personalities match and you feel like you guys can be great friends?
• Do you feel like the answers to your questions they provided align with your wedding vision?
• Are you comfortable with their workflow and how they plan to handle the entire process?
• Do you absolutely love their style?

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