(While at the Wedding Showcase I presented an information session called “Picture Perfect: Wedding Photographers and You.” Read Part 1, 5 Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You to Know here.)
If you’re searching around for things you should be asking your photographer in the pre-booking meeting, the internet feeds you tons of crappy questions like “what kind of camera do you use?” and “what is your style?” (barf. I feel like either you can tell this from looking, or you don’t really care.) That said, it helps to have some conversation points while you and your photographer are figuring out if your personalities match, so here are 5 questions I think you should ask:
1. What does your package include?
Everything that the photographer is offering as part of a package should be clearly described, and included in the contract you will both sign. Go over the contract together and make sure that you understand everything. Find out how many hours are included; what kind of final product you’ll receive (prints and/or digital files? How many? Edited or unedited? In what format* on what media? Watermarked or not?); and how much is the retainer fee. Take the time to clarify the details, such as what happens if your photographer stays at your wedding longer than the time booked (for example if your wedding runs late); what kind of printing licence you will receive; when payments are due and what happens if payments aren’t made on time; and travel and other associated fees where applicable.
*Format: not everyone makes the distinction between “digital negatives” (which are usually unedited files straight from the camera, often in RAW format), and edited files (corrected for colour and contrast, and in printable JPG format).
Two Pro-Tips:
a. a professional photographer will require a signed contract and a non-refundable retainer for your wedding. This protects both of you: you’ve secured the services of your photographer to the exclusion of all others; your photographer is protected from loss of income if your event is changed or cancelled.
b. a professional photographer will NEVER “give you the copyright” to the images – we need that to display, reproduce, and profit from our work. Instead you would get a personal printing release (also called a licence for personal reproduction of images), which lets you make prints, cards, books, and anything else your heart desires, as long as you are not profiting from the images.
2. Do you have back-up equipment?
I don’t think it matters what equipment a photographer uses, so long as you like the work they are producing. That said, any experienced, professional photographer will have at least two cameras and two lenses, because problems can and do happen! Having back-up equipment protects you and your photographer from the worst case scenario: missing out on your wedding. Case in point: I had a camera die on me in the middle of a wedding ceremony this past year! (Yikes.) I could have missed the couple’s first kiss (and everything after that), but because I came packing, instead I was able to quickly switch to using my back-up camera… and they never noticed anything was wrong! Back-up equipment = peace of mind.
3. Can we see a complete album or wedding?
This question is admittedly debatable. If you’ve seen enough of your photographer’s work that you’re already completely comfortable with them, skip it! If you’re not quite certain, it is another great question to ask for peace of mind. Seeing a complete album of final images from a wedding will let you know what the photographer is capable of throughout the many changing environments and lighting conditions of a wedding day, and give you a better idea of their skills than a few choice images in a portfolio. While you’re viewing the images, ask yourself if you can see yourself in them – what you see is usually what you get!
(If you’ve seen a whole wedding or several weddings and still aren’t sure your photographer is right for you, maybe you should cut your losses and hire someone else whose work you’re more confident about. Trust your instincts!)
4. How long will it take to get my images?
Every photographer has a different turnaround time, and it will often depends on what point in the season your wedding occurs. You should have a rough idea of how long it will usually take to see your images, and your contract should also include a firm deadline for delivery. (Once you’re married it is probably going to become very important to you to see your images ASAP, so in your eagerness remember that if the contract specifies 1 year for delivery and it’s been 5 months, you can’t fairly complain yet. But if it’s been 5 months and the contract said 1 month? Complain early and often.)
5. What do you love most about photographing weddings? What do you most dislike about them?
Now that you have the key details worked out, this is a question that will kick off a conversation and help you get to know your photographer better. Photographers are often asked how they do things, but rarely asked why they do things, so dig in there! It will also give you a better sense of their business, of their personality, and if you would be a good match for each other.
That’s about it, so chime in below if you think I’ve forgotten anything!
