5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make throughout the entire wedding planning process— and it’s also the most difficult. What many couples don’t realize is that while budget and aesthetics are important factors to consider, it’s actually the details that could ultimately help solidify your decision on which photographer to choose. It’s also the photographer’s responsibility to make sure that these questions are answered in the easiest and most straightforward way possible, so photographers— I’ll show you how to do just that in the guide below.
Couples, it’s likely that your to-do list is a mile long and the last thing you need is another set of questions to remember to ask your photographer— so I’ve done the hard work for you by assembling the 5 questions to ask your wedding photographer that may help you seal the deal. Wedding timelines hardly stick to schedule, so how will the photographer adapt? Will they have a partner helping them? When will the final images actually be received? These are only a few of the questions we’ll hit on in this blog post.
I hope this guide helps you come to the conclusion about your own wedding photographer and that ultimately, it allows you to have an even more enjoyable wedding day. If you’re reading this as a photographer, I’ve left some tips under each question on how to ensure an excellent client experience during the whole process.
Here are 5 questions to ask your wedding photographer:
1. If the wedding goes over time, what is the photographer's hourly rate?
If you think that your wedding could go over the original agreed-upon hours, you’ll need to upgrade your original package or add those hours a la carte.
Most photographers shoot two weddings per weekend, especially during peak season. If your wedding unexpectedly runs over by 2 hours, that puts a significant strain on your photographer’s commitment to the following day.
Two hours may not seem like much, but it means that they’ll arrive home two hours later, have to back up your files two hours later, etc.
Chances are, this also means they lose out on a full night’s sleep in order to prepare for a wedding the very next day. Wedding photographers rely on schedules, and when things get shuffled around, it can impact them more than you may think.
If you’re reading this as a photographer, I recommend choosing an hourly rate that will be worth it to you— don’t just settle for a mere extra $100.
2. Will you have a second shooter?
Speaking to the couple, this might depend on the photography package you choose. If you are going for a smaller package, a second shooter may not be included. The more expensive packages tend to have a second shooter so you can rest assured that every special moment will be captured.
Something that couples don’t often realize is that it costs more to have a second shooter. Just like the primary photographer, they must be compensated fairly for their services, and most of the time, that expense is worked into the price of the package.
Photographers, I recommend making it as clear as possible whether a certain package includes a second shooter or not. This sets expectations from the get-go and eliminates back and forth between you and the client.
Learn more: How to Get Hired as a Second Shooter with Zero Experience
3. Turnaround time— how long until you receive the gallery?
Most of the time, you can expect some sneak peaks of your wedding a day or two after it takes place in order to tide you over until the full gallery has arrived. Check your photographer’s package details or FAQ page to find out what their turnaround time is and whether or not you can expect these photos or not. The last thing you want is to be unclear about what you will receive and end up getting your hopes up!
If you are a photographer and you don’t have your turnaround time on your website, I suggest putting it on there! To learn exactly what I recommend including in your sneak peaks and tips on how and when to deliver them, check out tip number 17 in my list of 20 tips for photographing your first wedding.
4. Does your photographer offer a second day photo shoot?
Although this is often an added expense, many couples are opting for a separate photo session that comes before or follows after their wedding day.
This allows for a full, unrushed portrait session in their wedding attire that is often at a location other than their initial venue. If you’ve never considered this option until now, I’ve covered four reasons why you might want to book this kind of session with your photographer, or why you as a photographer might want to add these to your wedding photography packages.
5. Is your photographer able to show you full wedding gallery examples?
Before paying an initial deposit, you as a couple want to make sure you are head-over-heels in love with the photographer’s unique style of editing, posing, etc. Do you prefer a light and airy look or one that’s dark and moody? Does the photographer use prisms or other fun effects and if so, do you like it? These are all things to keep in mind as you’re narrowing down and making the final decisions about your wedding photographer.
Photographers, I encourage you to include complete, published galleries on your website that are easily navigable from your booking page.
As a photographer, it’s easy to see how these questions listed above can turn into several back-and-forth emails between you and your client. In order to save time on both sides and avoid an overcrowded inbox, have this information listed on your website. It’s one of my best tips for booking more photography clients.
Chances are, your client is looking at a handful of other photographers and they will go with whichever one can answer their questions the fastest. If you can set up your contact form in a way that answers their FAQs, you will win the race by being able to send over the contract booking information and secure your retainer faster than anyone else.
If you’re soon getting married, I hope this list of questions served as a guide for narrowing down your choice for a wedding photographer. And photographers, I hoped this gave you some pointers on how to make your client experience even better.
Would you add any questions to the list? Let me know in the comments below!
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