Questions to ask your Wedding Photographer

In the industry of wedding photography there are a range of photographers from just starting out to veterans who are highly experienced. How do you know what kind of photographer you’re dealing with? Should your decision be based on more than just a portfolio of beautiful images? In the age of online scams, how can you ensure that you’re not being scammed? As an engaged couple searching for the right photographer, here are some questions to consider asking:

Do you have Insurance?

It’s a good sign that you’re dealing with a professional Photographer who is both invested & responsbile in their business decisions if they can provide proof of liability insurance for their business. A lot of venues require this. One accident or getting a gear bag stolen could ruin a Photographer’s whole business. In order to protect their business from falling apart, having both business insurance and gear insurance is absolutely necessary in this industry to protect themselves and their future clients.

Do they have a contract?

Along the same lines as above, it’s smart to have a contract. A good contract benefits both the Client and the Photographer by laying out guidelines, clarity, and protections for both parties. A good contract is a sign that you’re dealing with a seasoned professional who values the integrity of their business & relationships with their Clients. Personally I require a contract to be signed before booking.

Do they have backup gear?

If a Photographer’s equipment breaks on the job - do they have enough backup equipment with them to ensure they can still capture your day with integrity? Every professional photographer should have at least two cameras, multiple lenses, & multiple flash units with them at a wedding.

How do you operate on a wedding day?

Your wedding photography about way more than just their beautiful images displayed. What kind of person are they? How do they like to make decisions? How will they operate on a wedding day? How do they see their role as a wedding photographer? Will they take more of a passive behind the scenes role, or will they give direction to get the shot? How do they deal with people? Will they be a YES person or a NO person? Do you want a yes person who will say yes to your every request? Or do you want a more assertive Photographer who will let you know when a request you have isn’t realistic?

A Photographer who values being accommodating above all else risks keeping order to the timeline and interrupting their creative process, while a No Photographer values saying no to unrealistic requests in order to preserve the timeline, upholding the sanity of the couple in order to keep enjoying and celebrating their day, and the sanity of the Photographer in order to maintain a creative flow of ideas & energy.

For myself, I’m not a fan of endless shot lists. A professional Photographer should already know what the main moments to capture are to the point that they don’t even have to think about them, they’re just a given. Anything that happens beyond that is a bonus. Bonus time means an energy of newness and artistic creativity. The best photos happen candidly when you’re simply just focused on enjoying your day, and letting the natural moments and emotions unfold. As your Photographer if I see some amazing lighting or am inspired by your venue, I will absolutely set up some artistic shots if you’re down!

Along these lines - most of wedding Photography is people skills! Does your Photographer have good people skills? Are they empathetic and intuitive enough to sense when someone is becoming overwhelmed or uncomfortable? Do they have enough experience and people skills to handle those situations? You could get a good sense of this if you’re willing to talk to your Photographer about things you’re feeling nervous or sad about, how do they respond? Are they caring and supportive? Or do they have an attitude of “this isn’t my job”. If you have a request and they say no, how do they deliver that no?

For example, I know when someone is becoming bothered by the direct flash on the dance floor, if I sense this happening I will give them some space and come back later at a different angle or with different lighting. I also like to get to know my couples well enough in advance to trust myself enough to make the right decisions for them in the moment so they don’t have to deal with that extra mental load. When I turn down guests asking for extra pictures when we just don’t have time I like to give them other options, with a mindset of “No but”. “Right now we are prioritizing this family photo list I have, but ask me during the reception later and I’d be happy to.”

How communicative will they be leading up to your wedding day?

Do they have consistent touch points to connect with you? Will they reach out if they need something from you? What method of communication can you expect? I’ve heard from Brides in facebook groups complaining that they can’t get a hold of their Photographer for months. This is a red flag and sign that your Photographer might not be a professional who values Client relationships which are crucial to creating good wedding day photos and maintaining the longevity of their business.

Personally I like to keep things organized and keep clients well informed by setting expectations in advance. I have 3 main touch points with Clients. 1. Upon booking I send my clients a step by step list of action steps I need from them and a timeline of when to complete those things (ie. calls to schedule, forms to fill out, lists to create, etc). If I don’t hear back in time I will reach out via email again. 2. A 1hr photo planning meeting that can be done in person or via zoom. 3. 1 month - 2 weeks before the wedding I check in with my Clients via email to make sure they are all set and have everything they need. At this point if they feel another call would be helpful that’s available to them.

Your wedding photography is an investment in preserving precious memories. Make sure you hire a Photographer that you feel comfortable with, have trust in, and can communicate well with them to ensure your wedding day photography won’t be effected by a strange relationship with your Photographer.

Cheers,

Audrey