Planning a wedding can be stressful. I know, as I just had my own last year. For a lot of brides and grooms, this may be your first experience with hiring a professional photographer.
Once you find some one whose pictures you like, what should you ask them other than “how much?” How can you determine if they’re a good fit for you? Here are 25 things that you should ask your photographer before you hire him or her.
The answers to these questions will help you get a better feel for your prospective photographer and help remove any confusion.
1. Are you available on my date?
2. Do you book more than one wedding a day?
3. How many weddings a year do you book?
4. How many weddings have you covered?
5. What are the payment terms?
6. What sort of training do you have as a professiona photographer?
7. Do you use backup equipment?
8. How do you protect my images in case of disaster?
9. How would you characterize your style of photography?
10. When can I expect proofs/prints/album?
11. Do you shoot digital?
12. If you do black and whites, do you also deliver color?
13. Are you the person actually taking the pictures?
14. Can we give you a list of shots we would like?
15. Do you use any assistants or second photographers?
16. Do you sell the digital images?
17. Can I make my own prints?
18. Do you mind if other people take photos too?
19. Do you belong to any professional organizations?
20. If the day goes long, can you stay late? Is there a charge?
21. Do you have liability insurance?
22. How much input do I get into the design of an album?
23. What is your coverage area?
24. Can you provide me with some references?
25. What kind of equipment do you use?