10 things to ask your wedding photographer (before you book)
Booking Tips from a Lethbridge Wedding Photographer
Choosing a wedding photographer is more than choosing someone to click a bunch of pictures on your day. Your wedding photographer will be by your side from bridal preparations until your reception (at minimum) and loving your photographer cannot be understated. The way they operate a wedding day and the client experience you can expect to receive throughout the whole process are important aspects of selection when it comes to choosing the wedding photographer that is right for you.
Here are a list of questions you should ask, before booking your wedding photographer
one
What is your primary shooting style?
How your wedding photographer plans on capturing your day is the most important question you can ask them. At Allie Cooke Photography, I focus on the 70/30 rule when it comes to shooting weddings. This means 70% of all images captured on your day will be taken in a candid, documentary format, while the other 30% of your images and our time together will be focused on semi-posed and prompted portraits. I will set up specific shots with your guests, your spouse and your wedding party to deliver a robust gallery which gives my clients a ton of both candid shots and dramatic portraits to choose from.
TWO
How long will delivery take?
This question is IMPORTANT. Wedding photographers work weddings almost every weekend of the bridal season (May-September), so gauging their delivery time of YOUR wedding album is a priority question. Some photographers spend the full season shooting and start working on albums in the slower season, which means turnaround can be anywhere from 8-16 weeks (though sneak peeks are almost always delivered within 72ish hours of your wedding). Other wedding photographers, like myself, have massive anxiety when looking at a jam packed editing que and will book out a full week following your wedding to edit, retouch and deliver your wedding album in the following days/weeks. White glove treatment is my top priority when executing a couples wedding day and I book out editing time to ensure my clients know their wedding is a top priority for me. Additionally, the thought of having 20 weddings waiting in my que for slow season makes me want to cry! I prefer to streamline my work flow and edit each wedding as it happens - keeping my clients and myself happy. Each wedding photographer is different, so make sure to ask (specifically if you are going to be on the edge of your seat waiting to see your day!).
Three
will i receive a contract?
The answer to this question should always be YES. Contracts are important and should be thorough and specific. You, as a client, should know exactly what is included and what to expect. Contracts should include cancellation policies, refund policies, emergency procedures (what happens if the photographer is sick?) and a detailed outline of the services you are purchasing / what is included in your package. Contracts protect the client and the photographer - never book without one (and get a copy!).
FOUR
HAVE YOU EVER WORKED AT MY VENUE?
IF NOT, DO YOU PLAN ON DOING RESEARCH BEFOREHAND?
With thousands of wedding venue locations throughout Canada, there is a good chance your wedding photographer has not shot a wedding at every one of them. However, seeking out wedding photographers that HAVE worked at your venue is a huge bonus when booking. They already know the best photo spots, the best areas for lighting and every detail of the offerings at your wedding venue. If your perspective photographer has not done a wedding at your venue, ask them if they will be doing research and/or checking out your venue before the date. As a full time Lethbridge wedding photographer, I make it a huge priority to visit, collaborate with and photograph local venues whenever I can - so I'm fully prepared with ideas before my couples big day. For out of town weddings, I will spend approximately 2-4 hours looking through the venues website, reading blogs about the venue and reviewing portfolios of photographers who have worked there.
Five
Can we request specific photos?
Wedding photographers are artists, and may be specific about running the day in their own way. This is an important question if you do have a long list of specific shot requests and Pinterest inspos. Largely, your wedding photographer should be accommodating and open to suggestions and specific shot requests but don't assume before you ask. At Allie Cooke Photography, I always include questions like "do you have any must have images?" into my final wedding questionnaire, to make sure the couple knows I am open to their suggestions and happy to accommodate any special shot requests that they have.
six
How many edited photos will we receive?
Again, super important. Delivered edits can range from 25 images per hour to 100 images per hour, depending on your wedding photographer. If you are counting on 800 images for an 8 hour wedding coverage package- you might be disappointed. As a rule, wedding photographers include roughly 50-75 images per hour (400-600 for 8 hour coverage). As a photo nut, who simply cannot abandon a useable images, I include a minimum of 600 edited and re-touched images for 8 hours of coverage. Smaller or bigger packages will naturally include more or less.
SEVEN
Do you include unlimited downloads?
This might be surprising, but some photographers only include a certain number of gallery downloads. In these cases, you may need to pay for further access to your album. I always include unlimited downloads, so wedding albums can be shared by the client with their family, bridal party and guests (if they choose to grant access). Unlimited gallery sharing/downloads reduce headaches and anxiety to the couple, as guests clamor to see their pictures from the day, and is generally a task that is not at the top of the list for newlyweds.
EIGHT
Is a second shooter included?
If not, do you recommend one with my current itinerary?
Some photographers offer wedding packages that include a second shooter, in this case, ask how many hours the second shooter will be there for (not all second shooters stay the entire day). If your wedding photographer does not include a second shooter, ask them if they offer a second shooter (add on), what it includes and if they recommend it for the itinerary you currently have. I personally do not offer a second shooter in my current packages, but the option to add one is always available to my clients. If my clients have a large guest list, a beefy itinerary and have lots of specific shots in mind - I 100% recommend adding this service for multiple perspectives and full coverage of the day.
NINE
Do you carry backup equipment?
The answer to this question should always be YES. Accidents happen, lenses can break, cards can be damaged and batteries can fail. Carrying backup equipment is 100% essential to ensure hiccups and potential disasters can be avoided. I ALWAYS carry a minimum of 2 backup cameras (with fully charged and ready to go batteries) and 3 lenses in case of emergencies on the day. Preparedness should be your wedding photographers top priority when it comes to handling the responsibility of capturing such an important day.
TEN
is an engagement session included?
Hiring a wedding photographer that includes an engagement session with their wedding packages is a huge perk.
This allows the couple to:
- Form a real relationship before the big day and feel comfortable with their wedding photographer
- Get to know the personality of your wedding photographer and your compatibility
- Sample your wedding photographers work
- Get a sneak peek on how your wedding photographer operates post-shoot and what their delivery time/client experience is like
Engagement sessions allow your wedding photographer to:
- Gauge the comfort level of the couple and get to know what poses they are/aren't comfortable with
- Get to know the couples personality and compatibility with the couple
- Understand the most important photos the couple wants
- See which images from the session the couple posts online, so we get a glimpse of which angles/compositions they are most drawn to
I offer complimentary engagement sessions with every package that I offer, but if your wedding photographer does not, consider booking one anyways as this will enhance your wedding day experience ten fold.
other questions you may have
- Do you have a list of local vendor recommendations? (we do)
- Do you offer timeline assistance planning?
- Do you charge a travel fee?
- Do you work with a videographer or have any videography recommendations?
- How do you handle pushy family members or negative situations at a wedding?
- Are you introverted or extroverted? Can you take control of unforeseen situations?
- What information do you need from us before the wedding?
- What is your booking deposit and do you offer payment plans?
- If the wedding timeline gets pushed, do you offer the option to add additional hours on the day?
I would love to hear more about your day
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