10 Questions You should ask your photographer before book
The first thing that I want to say is that this is my personal opinion and other photographers might think differently, and that’s ok! These are the questions that come with my experience of doing weddings for years that I’ve been wanting to share with you all. Of course, if you have more questions we as photographers should welcome that as well. I will say I prefer a couple that is 100% confident with me and my work than a couple that is not sure of working with me. That being said, these are the 10 questions I think you should ask your photographer before booking the date:
Why did you choose to photograph weddings? You don’t want to work with a photographer that doesn’t have a passion for weddings, believe me! This question allows the photographer to open up his deepest reasons why He/She is doing this! You want to work with someone who is doing this beyond the money, you want to work with someone who loves connections, we don’t work for machines, we work for people in love!
How many years of experience do you have? This is not a questions to say “the more years the better”, it isn’t like that. The real meaning behind the question is the experience, you want someone who is an expert in weddings, someone who knows where to stand for the kissing moment, how to take advantage of light at the beach or mountains (pretty different), how to guide you to have the best point of view of you both that day!
How do you describe your style? This is a key question. You have to like the photographer’s style. We as photographers, take many years to be where we are, it takes time to discover what style you want to pursue, and if you like it, then go forward without hesitation. We love what we do and we want to make it great! Look at his/her portfolio, you can’t ask for something you haven't seen there!
Do you work with a contract of services? Another key question. Don’t work without a contract, this is an advice for clients and photographers as well, everyone should agree with a contract, it isn’t that someone is thinking to fail, but it is to have confidence that things are done with honor through a document that is backing up your word.
How do you deliver the pictures? We as photographers need time to select and edit the pictures. Editing takes time, so be patient and trust in your photographer. You should ask for size, resolution, the time the gallery is going to be online, etc. The contract must be clear in this point about when and how!
Have you been to our venue before? / What should we be aware of or avoid? Of course there is a big chance your photographer hasn’t been to your venue before, but if yes: He/She can give you valuable feedback about the place, where the sun goes down, where are the best spots for couple pictures, how is the venue light at night (I am going to make a whole post about lighting for your wedding later on, this is crucial). Everything to take advantage of your photographer’s experience!
How do you handle wedding schedule? This is another topic I’m gonna write a whole post about. Guys this is not only about your photographer, but teamwork. If you have a tight schedule, work together to not lose the sunset, for example. Ask your photographer what time is he/she going to arrive before e ceremony, we should be there at least 15 minutes before, because we need to set up our cameras, figure out where the bride’s room is (if she is getting ready in a hotel) or just to be ready to start on time!
What should we avoid during the wedding? I have at least 5 things I could say, but let’s take it easy haha. I am gonna bring up only two:
Don’t stop to say hi to everyone when you are walking out of the aisle: I know I know, they are your guests and I also want you to enjoy your wedding day, but please remember the schedule, we already said teamwork matters!
Neon or laser lights from DJ’s especially for the first dance: Of course parties need these kind of lights, but at least request the DJ to put white or yellow light for the first dance, neon lights are almost impossible to edit and even worse when the neon light is on your face!
Do you have back up gear/cameras/lenses? It’s really important that your photographer has back up gear: believe me I will cry if something happens to any of my really expensive lenses, but I will die if I wouldn’t be able to continue shooting the wedding cause I don’t have another lens.
Do you work by yourself, or with an assistant or second photographer? I highly recommend you to be aware about your wedding needs, not every wedding needs a second photographer, but if it does, that’s really important that your photographer offers you this option, however there are some photographers who work alone all the time, I will prefer to bring my second shooter all the time, just because you have more points of view and choices to select the pictures you are going to edit in post-prodution.
Bonus questions for your videographer according my friend Pablo André from El Ancla Wedding Films
Have you worked with our photographer before?
How do you choose the soundtrack for the video?
How to you capture the emotions but also the essence of the wedding?
