Okay, I’m going to tell it like it is. Many brides have seen the HUGE checklists that wedding blogs put out as things you are “supposed” to ask your photographer… And us photographers have seen them too. In most cases, a lot of those questions are great pieces of information to know before you make a decision to hire a photographer. But in other cases, many of those questions aren’t deciding factors in who you choose. For instance, “What is your shooting style?”; Lets be honest, does it make a difference whether your photographer says “documentary” or “photojournalistic”? Most often it does not. What matters most is that you’ve seen a good number of images in his or her portfolio and you are IN LOVE with their work.
I have created a “Top 5 Real Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer” below. These are questions that are vital to ask and are effective in helping you understand what you want from your wedding photographer.
1. AM I GETTING FULL RESOLUTION IMAGES THAT CAN BE PRINTED AT ANY SIZE?
Photographers structure their packages and businesses differently. Some offer full or high resolution files (300 DPI) but they are resized to a maximum print size of 5″x7″ or 8″x10″. Other photographers offer full resolution files with no resizing or with limited cropping and size adjustments. It is SO important to understand what you are getting and to understand that high or even full resolution does not necessarily mean it can be made into a large print or canvas for your home. If a photographer offers high/full resolution images, be sure to ask what dimensions the images can be at their largest size. If you are planning on having a canvas made, check with your canvas shop to find out its size and resolution requirements and make sure this will work for you.
Because I want all of my clients to hang their beautiful images in their home, I offer full resolution images delivered in an online gallery with resizing limited to slight cropping or alignment adjustments. I do not restrict how large an image can be.
2. WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOUR WORK FROM OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS IN MY AREA?
Most wedding photographers have a niche or a specific “thing” they feel they do differently than anyone else. And they should. This is the reason you hire him or her over anyone else. Be sure to ask this question and make sure the answer coincides with what YOU want for the memories captured through your wedding photographs.
My one distinguishing factor is my emphasis on close, intimate, unposed images with my couples. I love looking through a wedding album and feeling like I’m actually there, witnessing the love between two people. Most of my images involve minimal posing or smiling directly at the camera (although we have those too!). I describe my style in three words: Fine Art, Romantic and Editorial. My preference to shoot with a wide aperture whenever possible (creating a blurry background) and editing with clean, crisp, film-like techniques also differentiate my work from others. I am often hired for my detail shots; it is my styling of details and use of natural light that give my clients that “editorial” or magazine worthy imagery.
3. WILL MY IMAGES BE EDITED?
Some photographers deliver fully edited images to their clients while others do not. Some may show edited images on their site but include un-edited images in their packages. Other photographers only offer edited images. Be sure to understand what you are getting when you book. If you love the style you see in their portfolio, be sure to find out if your images will be edited the same way or if editing will be an additional cost.
I personally edit each photo that leaves my studio. I feel my work is “unfinished” without this; therefore, any work you see in my portfolio is the style you can expect from your own images.
4. DO YOU REGULARLY WORK WITH YOUR SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER?
Many photographers offer a second shooter as part of their packages or as an add-on. Having a second-photographer is GREAT to capture different angles and to multi-task if your timeline is tight, ie. capturing bride and groom getting ready simultaneously. However, this is ONLY a value added item IF the primary photographer is hiring an experienced photographer who’s style matches theirs and/or someone who they regularly work with during wedding season. Brides, be sure to find out what kind of working history the primary photographer has with whomever they use for the second shooter. Everyone has to start shooting weddings somewhere, and oftentimes primary photographers hire beginners to fulfill the second shooter role; but you should NOT be paying for a second photographer who cannot deliver consistent images that will add-to or help complete your gallery.
I have a handful of professional photographers whom I trust to deliver on every aspect that a second shooter should, although I do shoot 75% of my weddings solo and work extremely well this way. I work with my brides to plan timelines for their day so that I can make sure I have enough time and can be where I need to be to capture their day seamlessly.
5. WILL YOU ASSIST IN PLANNING OUR TIMELINE?
THIS is so important! Building a proper timeline that allows adequate time for all of the photos you want is crucial to you enjoying your day and achieving the photographic results you want for your wedding day. Having the photographer contribute to the timeline planning can ensure he or she will have enough time to capture the shots most important to you.
I personally LOVE being a part of this process. I want to deliver on every aspect for my clients so making sure we are all on the same page with day-of expectations and the time we have to work with is a #1 priority. The timeline lets all of us have the same expectations and ensures I will have enough time to achieve what you see in my portfolio and what you set forth as your photographic goals for the day.
Have more questions about hiring a professional wedding photographer? CONTACT ME (super short form… I will email or call you back:) I love when clients seek out information and work to find a photographer who is the perfect fit for their wedding day.
