Wedding photograper?

Question

what are some important questions to ask when hiring a wedding photographer?

Answer 1

I am a wedding photographer. I give every couple a sheet of paper with a list of photos. I ask them to check off what types of photos they would like. Which formals are important to them. This lets me know if they are a traditional type bride and groom, or a modern bride and groom.
Ask what the wedding package consists of. How many hours of service? Engagement photos? How much do they charge for travel, or is included in the price? How many pictures do they take? Do you get the negatives? How much do they charge if they are required to stay longer? How long after the wedding will you get the proofs?

Talk about the wedding in general. Get a feel for the person. Are they friendly and easy to talk to? Do you feel comfortable around them. Ask for them to bring a portfolio of their work with them. See if they tell stories about the bride and groom. Do they speak nicely about the couples? If they say, "Wow, this bride was a bridezilla let me tell you!!" then you might want to reconsider. Being a photographer, it is my responsibility to provide pictures that you can be proud of. The bride and groom need to trust that I can do a great job, and they don't need to be telling me what pictures are next.

Talk to a few photographers. I only met with one for our wedding. She was so nice and relaxed, I felt like she was a part of my family. Icouldn't imagine anyone else taking our pictures that day. Good luck to you, and I hope you have a beautiful wedding.

Answer 2

Make sure the wedding pictures get delivered to you and not your mother or mother in law. You should get to see them before anyone else and you certainly don't want a family member taking a couple pictures that they like before you get to see them.

Make sure you know how long the photographer will "cover" your wedding and how many pictures are normal.

Is the photography digital or film. If digital, how many megapixels? (7 mpxls minimum)

Look through their previous work. Talk a little bit about some of the weddings in the samples and ask questions about why this picture has this in it or how do you do that. Get to know the photographers personality a little bit and ask yourself if you think you can work with them.

If they seem to be very rigid or particular, if everything has a seperate cost, if they don't have expereince covering your type of wedding, then you probably don't want them.

Answer 3

Ask to see all their work. Ask for references and then call the people and ask them how they felt and if the pictures turned out. Consider your venue and ask the photographer if they know how to take pictures in it.

Let me share some personal experience. My g/f's daughter got married in March in a very dark hall, and the pictures are dark and hard to see because this guy obviously didn't know how to shoot pictures in a darker room. When my daughter got married several months later and I already knew the wedding/reception was going to be in an old brewery, therefore also dark, I specifically asked what experience the photographer had in this kind of environment. We found one who could prove to us that he knew what he was doing and the photographs are beautiful. I also paid twice what my friend did, but well worth it.

So consider where the pictures are being shot and choose someone who can PROVE he/she is doing, not just tells you they do.

Also get a timetable of when you can expect the pictures. My friend had a panic when weeks afterward she could not get this guy to return her calls, although he eventually did.

Answer 4

Most important let them know that you want a set and short time to get the formal pictures done andout of theway and the rest of the time you want someone who is good with the candid shots thing otherwise you will never enjoy your wedding reception. Our photographer hounded us every moment. The only food I got to eat was the bite of cake for pictures. We actually ran away from the reception to a park across the street just to get away from the photographer. You should have seen the looks on people's faces as they passe us sitting on a park bench him in a sky blue tux and me in the Italian special wedding gown complete with hoop. Don't let it happen to you plan and ask ahead/

Answer 5

I absolutely agree with TrainerMa about his suggestions.

Here are other things I wish we had done for my daughter's wedding.
Make absolutely sure the photographer understands the type of pictures you want, who you want photographed individually and as groups. Example: Individually: ring bearer, flower girl, bride, groom. Groups: bride & groom together, bridesmaids, groomsmen,parents, etc.

Please contact all of the references that the photographer gives you and don't be shy about asking questions of them.

Look carefully at photographs in his portfolio and ask him to give you contact information for the subjects. Follow through on contacting them to see if he actually took the pictures himself.

Our photographer lied about several things and the photos were an expensive disaster. We found out later that his so-called references were his friends lying about photographing their wedding. Luckily a relative had taken pictures that we had enlarged so my daughter and her hubby could have them for their album.

Answer 6

All good advice just like to add , make sure you have a list of pictures you want taken. With all the excitement something might be left out. Have a hard copy for you and the photographer and have some one check them off.

Answer 7

I think you just need to look at their portfolio, to make sure you like their style. Make sure you have a list of all the different poses you want on your wedding day. I just got married, and my pictures are beautiful, but I didn't get any of my kids all alone. I am really dissapointed. I wish I had a list so I didn't forget that, because now it is too late!

Answer 8

Get references and ask for phone numbers of people who have hired him/her in the past.

Ask for samples so that you can see their work.

Ask how he/she plans to get the ceremony pictures - after or before the wedding. That will need to be your personal choice.

Make sure that deadlines are set for getting proofs and that the price is reasonable. Do NOT pay EVERYTHING up front, because he/she will then have no motivation to get back to you and it could take a year to get your pictures.

Answer 9

references
# of cameras he / she will use
If she/he has camera/photographer backup
How long before photographs will be ready
How long will the negatives be stored for future choices
How many photographs come w/ the price
How much of deposit/when rest is due
If everything goes smash up on the photographs, what is the return policy on the deposit?
How long will he be there i.e. before hand for preparations/after for reception

Answer 10

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