5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Your big day is about a few months later, you are excited and emotional. At the same time you are thinking constantly about looking for the perfect wedding photographer. This is the first thing anybody can think of who is getting married. When you put so much effort into everything from decorations to food and guest lists, you also want those efforts captured well. Memorable and expressive photos are the essence of any event. And here you are not thinking about ‘just’ an event, it's your wedding!
The question is, how to find the person that makes your moments truly captured as you want? What are the criteria for selecting the photographer that makes you feel that you have taken the right decision? Take a deep breath and read on for advice for finding the right photographer to capture your wedding day.
The right photographer is not that hard to find when you do ample research. Ask a friend whose photographer did an amazing job at her wedding. Or you can narrow down your own list of photographers that you like since nobody knows you better than yourself. After that, you'll move on to the interviewing process, in which you'll contact each photographer to see whether they are available and a good fit for you.
How can you tell if a photographer is a good fit? Ask them these 5 questions to find the answer:
1. Describe your wedding photography style?
In terms of expertise and quality of the content, there are so many wedding photographers that may be the finest in the market. However, if their style doesn't compliment your vision, they are not your perfect fit. Undoubtedly, you can see their photos from their social media accounts or websites, but asking them directly is wise. This is how you will exactly know what kind of photography they are into.
It may happen that you understand their vision and they understand yours. For the best outcome, it’s important to see eye-to-eye and share a vision.
2. How do you get along with your clients on their wedding day?
Photographers will be right there with you every second of your big day so getting along with them is going to make a positive impact. It is crucial that you feel comfortable with them and that your relationship with your photographer is friendly. It’s a good match if you can give directions and take them easily in return.
As they have different energies and work styles, asking such a question will make you aware of their shooting style and demeanour. The best wedding photographers are the ones who give you room and whose personality complement yours.
3. How long have you been a wedding photographer?
If you want to know the experience level of a photographer, ask them about the weddings they have covered so far. Check how much knowledge the photographer has in terms of wedding photography and photography in general. Hiring an experienced photographer is always a plus. If they have been doing this for a long time, chances are they have the techniques, timing, and sixth sense to deliver. It is also a bonus if they have already worked at the same venue as your wedding and know exactly where to shoot.
While experience is valuable, it’s also important to remember that the wedding photography industry can be tiring and repetitive. Finding a relatively new and enthusiastic photographer brimming with creativity may be a better fit than the photographer who has shot more weddings.
4. What are your wedding packages?
It's essential to discuss packages and pricing. Usually, wedding photographers offer several packages that provide a specific number of hours, assistant or a second photographer, prints, albums, and other things. Discuss what you will get at the specified price and what additional services are included like travel expenses for destination weddings, extra hours, or photographing other pre and post events like the rehearsal dinner.
Take careful note as you will be able to gauge a photographer's level of experience and organization in the way they respond to this question!
5. When will you deliver the wedding photos?
When the wedding day is done, the anticipation for seeing your wedding images builds. Before sending you all of the images, the wedding photographer will most likely take time to pare them down and edit a final selection. It's crucial to know when to expect the delivery of the images so that you don't have to keep refreshing your inbox all day. You should also inquire about how the photographs will be delivered; talk about the resolution of the images, whether they will be watermarked, and if they can create prints or a photo book.
You can also ask whether previews or sneak peeks will be shared soon after the event — chances are you will be extremely eager to show everyone on Instagram.
On your wedding day, it’s essential to be able to be present in the moment. That becomes much easier when you are confident that your photographer will capture every detail in beautiful photos that will last forever. Remember that if you choose your photographer wisely, you can leave the rest to them. We hope these questions help you with your selection!
HN Wedding has been capturing life’s important moments since 1998. To find an experienced photographer to artfully capture your wedding, connect with us!