Image of team member Erin doing whatever it takes to get the shot!

Last time we talked about the 3 essential questions every couple should ask their wedding photographer. You can check out that article here. If you don’t ask anything else you’re probably still doing pretty good. But there are still other important questions. Hopefully your photographer will tell you how it works (they are the expert) but there are a few things you should make sure that they cover. While brainstorming for this article I came across a post titled “38 things to ask your photographer”! Wow! 38!? If you have to ask your photographer 38 specific questions then please run and hide..that photographer is not doing their job! I’m going to start with 5 follow up questions – 5 logistical and important things to know before hiring your wedding photographer.

1. What is your shooting philosophy? I often have brides on their initial phone call tell me they like photo journalism. But when I ask them more that’s often not really what they want, they just heard that term somewhere. More then getting an industry buzz word ask them how they approach the day. I have worked with photographers who are ONLY in the background. They are there to observe and document only. I’ve worked with others who control the environment of every shot and start essentially “training” the bride from the first email. We often tell people that we are there to document the day, not to insert ourselves in it. That being said, the mother or aunt of the bride doesn’t want to look 10 pounds older and 10 pounds heavier; people don’t often know where they are supposed to be especially for family formals; and sometimes drunk groomsmen just need more direction! We will chat and laugh with you but we don’t want to be in the way. We will help everyone look their best in what time we have and we will make sure that when you look back at your family formals you are thinking how much you love your family, NOT how much you wanted to strangle Uncle Filmore. We are the experts. We will guide and direct where needed but we will not take over. Find the photographer whose shooting philosophy matches the feel of what you envision for your day.
2. What’s your backup plan? Often photographers are sole proprietors, meaning it’s just them. Do they have a plan in place for if they break their leg or get into a car accident?
3. Do you have multiples of your equipment? I don’t generally encourage asking about equipment. I don’t care what kind of equipment the DJ uses to play his music as long as it sounds good. You shouldn’t care (unless maybe if you’re a photographer yourself) what type of camera your photographer uses. But you might care if they are new to the game, only have one camera, and don’t use a second shooter. Cameras are technology and equipment. Pure and simple. They will fail. They will have quirks. You have the right to know if they are prepared for things to go wrong. You could ask the photographer how many weddings they’ve shot and how long they’ve been in business but I truly believe that information is that you’ll know how truly PREPARED your wedding photographer is.
4. How involved are you in the planning process? Every couple will have a different need here. We generally help with a lot of details so that the time schedule goes as smoothly as possible. Also, when all is said and done all that is left are the images of your day. We don’t want you to miss a single image. We don’t want you to look back and say, “I wish I had a photo of x and z.” Will your photographer help plan the timeline and photo list?
5. What should I expect after the wedding? We’ve all heard horror stories of it taking 6 months to get the wedding images back or the worst ones where the couple never hears from their photographer again! Chances are if the photographer has a clear answer for you of what to expect and how the process works after the wedding then they will be there and ready to take care of you when you get back from your honeymoon.

Anything you would like to add? What was the most important thing you wanted to know when you were interviewing wedding photographers?

Please let us know if you have any questions!