There are certainly more than nine questions you should ask your wedding photographer, but this is a great start! You’ll likely schedule a call with one or more wedding photographers as you begin planning your big day. These questions can help kick off your meeting(s) and help you gain valuable insight before hiring a photographer.
1. How long have you been a wedding photographer?
I photographed my first wedding in 2000. I have photographed many weddings from micro (no attendants and only one witness) to mega-sized (twelve attendants and 300 guests).
2. How would you describe your personality?
The simplest description is “introvert”. But before you stop reading, let me tell you the benefits of having an introvert as a photographer. Introverts are good listeners, observant, and calm, and can empathize with your wedding day jitters. Observant photographers are wonderful documentarians. Introverts are great at forming connections and capturing genuine expressions. These are just a few reasons why I think being an introvert is beneficial as a wedding photographer.
3. What’s next after we decide to hire you?
I’ll create a contract for you including the date of your wedding, hours we’ve decided on for photography, the location(s), collection details, and other important guidelines regarding your cost, digital files, number of photographers, etc. You’ll pay your 50% retainer and sign your contract to reserve your date and time. You’ll receive a link via email to read and sign your contract.
4. Will you help us organize our time for photos?
Yes! In fact, before you even sign your contract, based on information you give me, I’ll create a rough draft of a timeline so we’ll know how much time you’ll need for photography. This timeline will be amended to fit your day more accurately once you’ve designed your wedding day. We’ll discuss the timeline about a month before your wedding date. It will begin from the time your photographer(s) arrive(s) until the end of your contracted photography time. If you have a day-of coordinator or wedding planner, I will communicate with them to make sure we all agree on the plan. The timeline is a wonderful tool to help your day run smoothly.
5. How do you handle challenging lighting?
I mostly photograph with natural light, however, I always bring multiple flashes and strobes with me on a wedding day. I am prepared for any lighting scenario. I’ve trained for years photographing in shade, direct sunlight, and with artificial light in my business and also as a photographer for UAB in the Marketing and Communications Department. I have the skills, lenses, cameras, and lights necessary for a variety of lighting situations.
6. Will you pose us?
I take a documentary approach to wedding photography. I’ll record all the wonderful details of your day. I’m also influenced by my art school background so if time allows, I’ll pose you in such a way that it looks natural, not stiff. If you’d like traditionally posed portraits of you and your family and wedding party, we’ll set aside time for those. I will organize the group portraits you desire.
7. How do we know our photos are safe?
You should feel at ease about the security of your photos. I photograph with two cameras (and have a third as a backup). And those two cameras have two card slots. As soon as a photo is created, it is copied to a second SD card. As soon as I get home, I will save all your files in duplicate locations. At the end of your wedding day, you can rest knowing your files are securely saved in four places: two SD cards, my computer’s hard drive, and an external hard drive. Your wedding day files will remain in these four places until all editing is finished and your gallery is delivered.
Even after you download your files, they’ll continue to be saved on an external hard drive. They’ll also be available in your online gallery for a minimum of three months. (You are encouraged to save your gallery of files on an external hard drive or your chosen online storage site for safe keeping.)
8. How long before we see our images?
Your professionally edited (exposure, color, and contrast adjustments) jpeg images will take approximately one week per hour of photography. So if you hire Bang Images for five hours of wedding photography, then please expect to see your gallery link five weeks after your wedding date (unless otherwise informed).
9. Do you offer products other than files?
Yes! Each gallery has a store attached to it. You’ll have the option of ordering an album, printed images on photographic paper, and/or canvas, and even metal prints and greeting cards.
Your wedding day is very important and as a consumer, you should be informed and comfortable with the information you learn. I’m hear to answer any questions you have to make you feel you’re making the best decision. Please contact me if you’d like to set up a meeting to discuss wedding photography. I’d love the opportunity to chat.
