Questions to Ask and Avoid for Wedding Photographers

STOP asking photographers these questions: - what’s your photo style (if you like their pictures, what does it matter what they call their style)? - have you photographed at my venue? New locations do NOT matter to experienced photographers or hinder their abilities. It’ll take any good photographer 1 Google search and 20 seconds to assess good photo spots. Note, I said GOOD photographer - Can you change your payment plan, or alter your contract? Now, I don’t actually think any of these questions are bad inherently, unless they’re coming from a place of distrust. Bottom line, if you’re having a gut feeling about not trusting your photographer with your money or logistics, you should absolutely NOT trust them with your wedding memories. - ASK THESE questions instead: - tell me how you backup my photos on and off site? Personally, I backup photos in 5 different locations, on and off site and in two different countries. - how often are you late on your promised turnaround time? I think in 20 years I’ve made a late delivery (and by late I mean by a day or two) maybe twice. Having a well-oiled workflow is key to a good experience before, during and after the wedding. - how do you handle large groups of (drunk) people for photos? It’s basically knowing how to direct without being bossy, and have some tricks up your sleeve for grabbing attention. - how do you (or do you) direct posed pictures? I’ve got news for you, most of those “candid” photos are anything but! - when will I have my final album in my hands? Now THIS question I am going to embellish on it because I’m super proud to say most of my clients have their wedding albums in their hands within 3 to 6 months from their wedding. That’s because I’m very big on a client experience and I do not ask my clients to design their own wedding album. Instead, it’s a collaborated effort between our mutual creativity in both, capturing their story, and in telling it. We start off with a layout providing visual guidance and then together over a glass or two of wine customize their album entirely. It’s a fun process instead of a daunting one! What questions would you add?