May 2012

It’s not easy finding a suitable Wedding Photographer, and after the post I read on Facebook of Worst Wedding Photos Ever! I’ve devised a list of things you could ask your potential Photographer.

Below are questions I tend to get asked a lot by couples at Wedding consultations and questions in my opinion, I feel everyone should ask, some are more important than others.

The main reason couples tend to book me is because they are firstly happy with my work and secondly, they feel very comfortable around me and if I were getting married these would be the things I would look at too.

Hope it helps.

Can we meet you for a chat before we book?

This is an absolute essential. Most photographers  will arrange this anyway but this will give you chance to discuss everything in detail and make sure they can cover all your photographic needs and give you chance to make sure they are the right photographer for you.

How much experience do you have at shooting weddings?

You need to know if this photographer has any experience or if this is their first time. Weddings give you only one chance of getting it right and it has to be right first time as there are no second chances, experience can play a big part in this, the photographer has to anticipate moments throughout the day to capture the essence and the emotion of the day, they need to know how to deal with large numbers of people and style group shots quickly and efficiently so that no-one is waiting around all day. Lighting is a huge part of your photographs, for example if you were getting married in late December when its dark or the church is lit only by candle light, they need to have the equipment that can still take amazing photos even under those circumstances.

How would you define your style?

You need to know if their style will cover what you want. You may want group shots doing but the photographer’s style may only be reportage and don’t cover that aspect. Make sure all of your needs will be met.

Can you show me a complete wedding album? 

Photos you may see on their website may only be their favourite photos or they might be photos from a modelling shoot with a mock bride and groom, this can be misleading so make sure you see a full wedding album so you know what the finished product will look like.

Am I meeting with the person who will be taking photos at my wedding?If not, can I meet with the photographer assigned to my wedding?

Some companies outsource work so you want to ensure you are speaking to the actual photographer who is shooting your wedding. The relationship between the bride and groom and their wedding photographer is very important so it is essential that you meet the photographer who will be shooting your wedding day.

Are you insured?

Insurance I feel is necessary. Accidents can and do happen at weddings; therefore it’s essential for your photographer to be fully covered should anything go wrong. The insurance they should have is Public Liability and Professional Indemnity cover.

Is my wedding the only one he/she will be shooting that day?

If you only need your photographer for a couple of hours then this isn’t too important but if you’ve booked them for most of the day and they have to rush off to another wedding for say an evening reception, they may miss important events if the schedule is running late. Do you have a backup plan for situations like rain, illness, camera faults etc? Most Photographers have a plan for if it rains such as lighting equipment to shoot indoors and if the photographer falls ill there should be a contingency plan in place. Your photographer should always have a backup camera.

Can I see a copy of your contract?

It is essential that you read the contract and understand it fully before paying a deposit as most deposits are generally non-refundable, most photographers will give you a copy to read at a consultation if you are looking to book them.

[themecolor]Questions to ask yourself: [/themecolor]

Do I feel comfortable with this photographer?

This is very important as they are going to be spending the whole day with you so you need to feel comfortable with them.

Do I like their work as a wedding photographer?

Am I happy with their style?

Are they within my budget?

[themecolor]Additional questions to ask:[/themecolor]

What about copyright, can I get my own prints made?

If the wedding overruns, are there any extra charges?

How long after the wedding do we get to see our wedding photographs?

Do you require a deposit and when is the balance due?

How long will I be able to order prints etc from you after the wedding?

Do you back up our images?

These questions are purely my own opinion and based on my experience. If you would like to discuss your wedding photography with me, then please get in touch at info@mariacaltonphotography.co.uk