Wedding is one of the biggest celebrations of your life, where the flash of the camera points to the couple and in many, many years, these photos will be a reminder of such an important moment, that is why the most frequent questions that arise to the bride and groom is how much time in advance they should book a wedding photographer or how to choose the photographer for my wedding. For this nothing better than asking different questions to the wedding photographers that you like the most.
This will clear up any doubts you may have, because it is not just anything! And is that to capture the most unique moments of one of the most important days in the life of any person we can’t choose just any photographer, but we must ask them a series of questions to make sure they are what we are looking for.
So, before hiring the photographer for your wedding you have to clarify several issues, then, we tell you what are the best questions to ask wedding photographers.
All your doubts will be solved! Let’s get started?
1. What is your photographic style?
Yes, there are different types of photographers and wedding photography so one of the first things to consider is to see if the wedding photographer fits your style. You need to know if his or her photos are traditional, artistic, documentary or have a charming style of their own.
2. How much experience do you have as a wedding photographer?
It is important that you inform yourselves well and ask important things. You have to think that when you buy a wedding dress you like to know that you trust a good brand or atelier or that the flowers are from a florist who knows everything about his work. The same goes for wedding photographs, we want a photographer who has experience in the sector, loves his work and knows what he does.
3. Are you traveling out of your location?
If your wedding is taking place in a different location than the photographer, you will need to make sure that he or she is willing to travel. Most wedding photographers will do it without a problem, as many couples choose to have their “I do’s” outside their city or town. Depending on the distance, you may be asked to cover the distance at most. In any case, check that there is no problem.
4. Are transportation, lodging and meal costs included?
More and more people are hired to work in other provinces and even outside of Spain, so the photographer is the one who fixes the expenses for transportation, accommodation and meals. On the other hand, there is some doubt as to whether the photographer’s lunch or dinner at the venue should be included. There are no defined standards here. Many wedding restaurants have more economical menus, other menu items, and so on. So, the bride and groom can offer it to their photographer.
5. Do you use new techniques?
Over the years, as in everything else, photography has changed radically. The posed and studio photos have given way to natural reportage, outdoors, spontaneous and full of feeling. It is essential that you are clear to ask, since there are many wedding photographers and some have not yet left the traditional canons.
6. Do you work alone or do you have a team?
A photographer who has a team guarantees a complete reportage, however, you can opt for the idea of hiring a second photographer for the wedding, another person to give a different point of view, to photograph details that the main photographer can’t reach. The goal of this will be to have a much more complete album. So, it’s a question that makes a lot of sense to discuss with him.
7. What are all the services included in the quote?
To know the complete services that are offered is something that gives more confidence to the couple. Many wedding photographers only offer the reportage on the wedding day, but… Isn’t it true that the more things included, the better? Ask him this question and clear your doubts!
8. Do you offer wedding packages or extra sessions?
The next step to ask about the services included in the budget is to know if they work with wedding packages, as the final amount will surely be cheaper than hiring the different services separately. Generally, these packages include from the exclusive wedding service to extra sessions, such as the pre-wedding photo session or the post-wedding photo session, for example.
9. Do you have exclusivity with a couple on the wedding day?
Many photographers have a very large team and spread out over several events on the same day, so another key question is to know who will be with you on the wedding day. If it is a team photographer or the one you have arranged to hire the services of.
10. What equipment do you use?
It is always good to find out about the equipment used by the wedding photographers you like the most: what is their camera, if they have different bodies, different lenses, spotlights? Seeing the quality and variety of the material will give you an idea of the professional’s knowledge and if he/she is prepared to cover any possible setbacks.
11. How much time will it take you to complete the job?
This type of thing should be well defined in the contract you sign when you decide who will be your photographer. Set dates, although he is really in charge, but you must agree on this point. Don’t forget to ask about the deadline and how many photos you will receive, because the formats are expanding as the years go by.
12. How would you act in case of any unexpected situations?
Unexpected things can be anything from the photographer getting sick on your wedding day to start getting rained on in the middle of an outdoor ceremony and he has to adapt to the weather. A professional wedding photographer will always have a plan of action. If he/she gets sick, he/she will send a partner who meets, in detail, the same conditions as him/her as a professional. Always make this very clear! It is perhaps one of the most important. For any other unforeseen event, an expert will always have a plan B, which will not hinder his work, whether it rains, snows or thunders.
13. Will our photos be published?
Many couples prefer to keep their photo reportage to themselves, while other couples are totally in agreement that their photos will be shared in the different media and channels possible. This should be known at the first contact.
14. Have you previously worked in the venue of our wedding?
To know if the wedding photographers have previously worked in the place where you are getting married is something that usually makes couples feel much more relaxed, because you will know that they know the terrain and that everything will be well thought out.
15. How many hours does the service include?
Most photographers start working at the morning at the bride and groom’s house while they get ready and then pass to the ceremony, banquet and part of the dance, but this is something that may vary depending on the professional. It is good to ask to know all things before.
16. Could you work more hours if necessary?
It is always interesting to discuss with your photographer if there is a possibility that the wedding could be extended. He will explain you his availability and what are the conditions in that case. But almost all of them claim to be able to work extra hours if necessary. Although many also work on a per event basis.
17. What do you want to achieve with your photographs?
Although this question seems to be difficult for photographers to answer, do it and pay attention to the answer! As a professional, the ideal would be for him to answer something profound, related to emotions, but don’t settle for “poetry”, as it may be a more than prepared answer. You should simply note sincerity in his words and passion for his work.
18. How and when should I pay?
Talk to the photographer about the price, payment methods and, if you are interested, the possibility of paying in installments. Although, normally, a deposit is left as a reservation and the rest is paid in one or two days before the wedding.
19. Could you give us references of videographers?
There are photography studios that include video services in their rates. However, nowadays videographers work independently. Nevertheless, the experience of past weddings, as well as the contact between professionals, favors that they can recommend each other. Also, try to ensure that the video work matches the aesthetics of the photographs.
20. Do you have testimonials from other couples?
Do not hesitate to ask for testimonials from other couples, ask the photographer to provide you with this information if it does not violate confidentiality, dive through their social networks, on Facebook and Instagram you will find comments from other couples talking about their work, or use the famous word of mouth that works so well. If your friends or family have been satisfied with their wedding photographer, that professional will love that you are interested in their services.
Did you know that there are photos that are a must on your wedding day and that can’t be missing in your wedding album repertoire? Because it’s a memory for life!
The best thing is that we have the list of the best wedding photographers in Spain, just as you read it! If you want to know what they are, at Perfect Venue we tell you, and we also help you select the best one for your wedding!
Now you just need to find out the average price of a good wedding photographer and learn different tricks to pose in the wedding photos and look spectacular!
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