Jun 30

Jun 30 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

All of us at QC Wed Me want you to have a beautiful, amazing, magical wedding day. Part of that is helping you avoid photographers who create stress, are difficult to work with, or ultimately aren't the best fit for you. Print these ten questions to ask during your wedding photography consultation.

How would you describe your style? Can you show me examples? Every photographer has his/her own unique style. Some shoot more journalistic/ documentary, while others may be more posed. Knowing (and love) your photographer’s style assures you’ll love your finished product!
Will you be the one photographing my wedding? Some photographers sub-contract or offer associate photographers to shoot weddings. This is good to know ahead of time so that you aren’t surprised by someone unexpected.
What if you get sick or an emergency comes up and you cannot photograph my wedding? Bad things happen. Car accidents, illnesses, etc. on your wedding day are not out of the realm of possibility. The important thing is knowing your photographer is prepared for whatever may happen. Make sure they have a catastrophe plan.
Are you insured? Wedding photographers commonly carry liability insurance. If anyone is injured in the course of wedding photography, insurance covers that damage. Venues sometimes require photographers to present documentation of such insurance before allowing them to conduct business at their location.
What do your packages include? What comes standard? What add-ons do you offer? A common differentiation between packages is hours of coverage, and some photographers offer albums/ event books, wall art, playbooks, etc.
How and when will I receive my proofs? Will your proofs be delivered via USB or a downloadable online gallery? Will you need to meet with the photographer after your wedding for an image reveal? And what is the turnaround time for delivery of images/ products?
How many photographers will cover my wedding? This may come down to your package selection, but multiple photographers is always a good thing. QC Wed Me recommends two photographers for every 250 guests in attendance. Watch for a post on the importance of second (and third) shooters coming soon.
How do you like to schedule a wedding day? Getting amazing wedding portraiture doesn’t happen without planning. Photographers commonly work with clients on timeline assistance, helping chunk the day according to the time needed for family formals, couple’s portraits, bridal party portraits, etc. Some photographers do not accept weddings where a “first look” is not part of the day. This is all important to know ahead of time.
What do you love most about photographing weddings? This question provides some insight into your photographer’s personality and their excitement for wedding day portraiture.
Can I see a copy of your contract? Contracts outline the professional relationship and obligations for each party. They are an absolute necessity and should be read thoroughly prior to signing. Common parts of photography contracts will be explored in a future blog post.