How to Shop for a Wedding Photographer
Part 2: What Should You Ask Prospective Photographers?
This is the second post in a three-part blog post series (read the first post here) on how to shop for the perfect wedding photographer for your New Jersey wedding. We understand how difficult it is to shop for a wedding photographer. Where do you start? What questions do you ask? What are you even looking for? Well in this post we’ll talk about some considerations to keep in mind when searching and some questions to ask your prospective photographers. Keep in mind, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to photography, so you will have to consider all aspects of this decision based on how important photography is to you and your fiancée.
Beside the basic questions – such as what is included for the price, how many hours, how many photographers, digital images or albums, etc. – we’ve come up with some great questions to ask your photographer.
Do they specialize in weddings?
No photographer is a master of all genres of photography. If a photographer is great at making food look appetizing or can take a mind-blowing mid-air image of an athlete, they may not be a great wedding photographer. If they have never shot a wedding before, they stand to miss important moments or worse, not be able to pose you correctly in formal photos.
Are they an independent artist or a studio? If they are a studio, who will be your actual photographer?
This may be obvious when you read the “about” section of their website, or when you inquire, but if not, ask who your actual photographer will be. If you are meeting with a sales person who isn’t a photographer, see if you will you be able to meet the photographer assigned to your wedding before you book. Salespeople may be knowledgeable but unless they are a professional photographer, they may not have all the answers to very specific questions and only you can judge if the photographer they will send is a good match for you.
If you’re looking at a larger studio with multiple photographers, find out what the studio looks for when they hire and train their photographers. Will you be able to choose the photographer for your wedding and see their portfolio before you book with them? If you are not too picky about the photographer’s personality or style, it may not matter who they assign you as long as the studio has good quality control of the professionals they hire.
If you’re looking at a boutique studio or independent photographer, you should meet the photographer/owner in person to see if you like their personality. If they are a single owner (rather than a partnership or a husband-wife team), will they provide a second photographer? How will they cover your wedding if they fall ill or are unable to do their job? A professional will have ways of supplying a back-up photographer and usually have other colleagues of equal expertise who can step in.
What about a DJ company that offers photo and video?
Imagine if a plumber offered to fix your roof and refinish your hardwood floors. Would you be skeptical about the quality of workmanship you would get on your roof and floors? Contrary to popular belief, it takes years to become skilled at specialties like photography, video, and even being an exceptional DJ. Those who do specialize often spend more time honing their craft and as a result, provide better quality work, whether it be working the crowd, capturing incredible moments, or editing a same-day wedding clip. There are a few companies that do produce high quality DJ, Photo, and Video services for their couples but they are the exception, not the rule. We recommend you research these companies as much as possible and look for companies that have extremely knowledgeable photographers working for them – not companies who just hire whomever is available one week before your wedding. At the end of the day, make sure you are happy with all the services they are providing and don’t settle for less!
How soon after the wedding will they deliver your images or proofs?
This could range from 1 week to 3 or 4 months depending on the photographer or studio’s policies and whether your wedding was during the slow season (Dec-April) or the busy season (May-Nov). Find this out so you know what to expect.
Do they provide high-resolution digital images?
If you want the digital images, make sure to ask if they are included in your package with a print-release. A print release means you have the right to make prints and copies of your images for personal use. Typically the photographer or studio retains the copyrights to your images but grants you, the couple, the right to print and use them.
Do they provide albums, prints, digital images, or any other items you are looking for?
If you want an album in your package, definitely ask if the photographer offers albums. There was a time when albums were not even a question, but now, many photographers will offer only digital images and nothing else. If you want albums, prints, artwork, canvases, or any kinds of tangible goods, ask to see some samples of what the photographer or studio offers. Look for good quality materials such as thick pages, high-quality printing with true colors, higher end fabrics or leathers, and a professional looking finishing work (no glue seams or frayed edges) on all products. You want your albums and prints to last for decades.
What will a day with this photographer be like? How do they handle your wedding day?
The photographer or studio should walk you through what a day in front of their cameras will be like. How will you feel? What will they take care of so you don’t have to worry? Will they help you come up with a timeline of how to plan your day to include as many photo opportunities as possible? Will they make sure you’re having fun? Get a sense of how they describe what it’s like to work with them, and decide if that is right for you.
Are they a natural light shooter?
If you hear this term, it usually means this photographer prefers not to use artificial light such as flash and instead uses sunlight or any available light to create an image. This is fine, except if you are having an evening wedding or you are indoors in a dark ballroom with colored lighting. There is a big difference between using flash and not using flash in terms of the final image. A professional photographer should be comfortable using flash when necessary. If your photographer says they are a “natural light only” photographer, you should proceed with caution and ask about situations when they have used flash, if it is applicable to your wedding, and how the images came out.
Have they taken photos in your venue or a similar venue before?
Your photographer should be well-rounded in their experience. There are so many venues out there that no one photographer or studio will have experience at all venues. You should, however, look for images they took of similar venues. If your wedding is after sundown in a palatial ballroom, ask to see photos of a similar wedding. If your wedding is taking place at noon in your backyard, ask to see some midday outdoor photos. The point is, you need to see examples of how your photographer or studio handles the challenge of lighting scenarios similar to your wedding.
Do they carry liability insurance and insurance for their equipment?
What happens if your photographer’s car is broken into the week before your wedding? What happens if someone trips over a light stand at your wedding? These are examples of why your photographer should have insurance. In fact, many venues require proof of at least $1M liability insurance from all vendors in order to provide services at the venue.
Do they back up and secure your files? Do you have a disaster/emergency plan?
Find out what the photographer will do in case of an emergency to be sure you get your images or to safeguard images that were already taken. How many copies of your images will you receive and will the photographer or studio hang on to your photos for any length of time in case you lose your copy?
Does your package include a 2nd photographer?
If you have a lot of people in your wedding, a long list of must-have photos, or a very jam-packed timeline with less than 60 minutes set aside for your portraits, then you might want a 2nd photographer. Having a 2nd photographer means they can be in two places at once which can result in more creative images.
How much time do we need for our portraits?
If you want a lot of photos of you and your new spouse, you may want to consider adding in an hour of time somewhere in your day to take portraits. This would be in addition to family portraits which may take 15-30 minutes depending on how many photos and family members and whether they all arrive on-time. Many photographers suggest a “first look” in order to accommodate that extra time for the couples’ portraits. A first look is when the couple sees each other for the first time in private (with the photographers) prior to the ceremony so that they can take portraits, exchange some emotional greetings in private, and also get some photos of the bridal party out of the way. Another advantage is that if you are able to get most of the portraits done before the ceremony, the wedding will progress much more smoothly, and organically, from the ceremony into the reception and through the end of the day.
Will they take photos of any details for your wedding (that you worked so hard on!)?
Wow, you spent a year planning this amazing party, and picking out all the special touches, you deserve to have some photos of your hard work! Make sure the photographer regularly takes images of details like the flowers and boutonnieres, the centerpieces, the favors, that adorable handmade sign, the great aunt’s handkerchief that she gave the bride, the guest book, and all the other things that will wilt, fade, or be forgotten if not photographed.
What is their cancellation policy?
Find out what their cancellation and/or refund policy is. We never ever want to imagine a wedding falling through, but it does happen. It’s good to know what your recourse is if anything should happen. Make sure to read your contract carefully and ask any questions before signing it.
We hope this helps you be more informed when you shop for and meet with potential wedding photographers! Happy planning!
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