Five Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

One of the most important days of your life is approaching–choosing the right wedding photographer can be a daunting task! Certainly, you want the highest quality of wedding photographs without going broke. You are looking for a wedding photographer who is in tune with your wedding style as you imagine your day. You also want a photographer who is professional, experienced, talented, and a pleasure to work with.

Partnering with the right photographer is easy when you know what to ask. Start by doing a quick phone interview of each wedding photographer to narrow down your choices. Find out first if they are available for your wedding day—if they’re not, it narrows things down immediately. Ask about prices, who will be photographing the wedding, what style of wedding photography they use to shoot weddings (black and white, color, posed photos or candid shots).

After you narrow down your wedding photographer choices, you’ll want to set up a date to interview the photographer. In some large companies, the photographer you talk to might not be the one they send out for your event. Make sure you interview the photographer who will actually be at your wedding and see his/her portfolio, in order to evaluate their style.

You’ll also want to find out what happens if the wedding photographer you choose is fired before or right after your wedding date. It will put your mind at rest if you are assured that your wedding will be photographed even if your photographer is no longer with the company and that you will also have access to your photos no matter what the hiring status of the photographer.

Be sure to ask these questions when interviewing the photographer:

1) Experience Level.

On the most important day of your life, you want someone who is an expert at wedding photography to preserve your memories in a professional manner. Therefore, it’s very important to make sure you ask your wedding photographer questions about their experience.

Is this a job or a hobby for the wedding photographer?

Do they have formal training or education in wedding photography?

You might be tempted to save money by hiring a novice wedding photographer, but do you want stunning photos that capture your special day or just so-so ones?

Do they frequently photograph weddings?

Some photographers are better at static and posed studio photography than action oriented and “on location” wedding photography. Photographing a wedding involves capturing spontaneous moments, not just poses, so it’s important to have someone who is an expert.

Does the wedding photographer use professional-grade equipment, and do they have back-up equipment available, just in case?

Have they photographed weddings in your chosen location before?

Prior experience in a location gives the wedding photographer an advantage because he’ll know ahead of time what film, filters or flash he/she might need to get the best results.

2) Ask About Their Portfolio.

Photography is an art, so it’s understandable that you may or may not like the style used by the wedding photographer. To make sure you’re going to love the way your wedding is photographed, request to see a portfolio featuring their work.

To make an educated decision, you’ll want to view an entire wedding portfolio from start to finish, not the best few photos from many weddings. Ask what style the wedding photographer uses. Some photographers tend to like more posed shots while others have what is called a photojournalistic style, which involves more candid shots.

Ask if he/she likes to use color photos, black and whites or a mixture. Also, ask if they use a digital camera and retouch the photos to make them black and white, or if they use film.

3) Will They Dress the Part?

Your wedding photographer will be spending a lot of time with you on you on the most important day of your life. It’s crucial that his or her personality blends in, making it a pleasure to have him/her at your side.

If the wedding photographer makes you uneasy in a short interview then don’t hire them for your event!

No matter how charming he is, you’ll want to make sure the wedding photographer will dress the part and look professional while taking those important photos.

Finally, ask about any assistants. Ask if you can meet them and ask about how they will dress and conduct themselves to ensure your wedding goes smoothly.

4) Money and Technical Matters.

Though you don’t want to skimp on wedding photos, it is important to make sure this particular photographer isn’t going to break your budget. Find out ahead of time about how much it will cost to have him/her photograph your wedding.

You’ll want to know how much time you’ll be allotted, and how many rolls of film they’ll take during that time. If the wedding photographer uses digital cameras, ask how many shots they will take to ensure the event is well-documented.

Most photographers offer packages that specify a certain amount of pictures for a set fee. If you don’t see a size of photograph that you want, ask if those packages can be customized to meet your needs.

You’ll also want to ask about the cost of albums and copies, since you’re probably going to fall in love with a lot more of the photos than you bargained!

Ask about deposit and cancellation policies. In order to hold your date, what method of deposit is needed? What are the cancellation policies? If the wedding photographer cancels, will your deposit be refunded?

5) Ask If You Can Get It In Writing!

You’ll want a contract to protect you in case you’re unhappy with the services of your wedding photographer. If you end up going to court to settle matters, the judge will only be concerned with the conditions written in the contract. Therefore, it’s very important to make sure you get all of the details in writing.

The contact should include:

Expected services, fees, cancellation policy, fee schedule and all aspects of your photo packages written in detail.

You’ll also want their name and address, as well as your name and address on the contract. Be certain that the contract has a signature and date for both of you and that you receive a copy of both sides.

Wedding Questions

I’ve booked the company already, this is the meeting with the actual person who will be taking pictures at my wedding (which isn’t until July). What questions do I need to ask him? Obviously, I’ll be asking to see his portfolio, just to make sure he does what I”m looking for, but what else?

What are some questions I should ask those whom my [potential] photographers list as references?

We are only having one attendant each and have three sets of parents and only two grandmothers.
Our budget is $7000 to $8000. We are having about 85 people at our wedding and reception.
This includes my dress, the groom’s clothes, everything. The ceremony, reception & dance are going to cost us about $5000 already. Includes drinks/wine, supper, cake, bartenders.

i have been asked by my friend to take some pictures for him on his wedding day. His soon to be wife is having a professional photographer with her in the morning and then at the wedding, but i will be with him and the best man and all the other people at his house before he sets off to the church. Only problem is, i have never done anything like this before so not sure what to expect and would just like some tips or guidance. My photography isn’t too bad ( few pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/lukemccarthy19/ ) but just a bit daunted and don’t want to end up with poor pictures that any joe bloggs could have taken. your comments and tips would help loads.

THanks

Many brides are comfortable with such priorities as reception site or catering selection, but may not be as familiar with the process of hiring the right wedding photographer. Wedding photography is one of the most important aspects of your day, so you’ll need to choose wisely to get the wedding pictures you desire. This guide will walk you through it.

1) Consider Chemistry
Brides often underestimate the importance of the photographer´s personality, yet this person will end up being a very personal guest at your most important event. Evaluate carefully whether you feel comfortable with this person. Some of the most beautiful moments happen behind the scenes, while the bride is dressing, while the couple steals a kiss, and you should feel comfortable inviting the photographer to capture these moments. First find a wedding photographer you like as a person, then evaluate the artistic criteria.

2) Review the Portfolio
Seasoned wedding photographers have what is called a “book,” which is a portfolio of their best work. Evaluating a photographer´s portfolio depends on your own stylistic and artistic preferences. His or her work should match your tastes and style. Make sure the images speak to you and reflect your personal visions for your wedding day. Look for crisp images, thoughtful composition and good lighting. Also ask to see the shots from a complete wedding; that way you can see it all – not just the highlights – and you will have a better feel for his or her ability to capture your day.

3) Ask the Right Questions
During the interview, make sure you have answered these important questions:

Who will be taking the pictures?
Make sure that the photographer whose portfolio you review will be the actual person who takes the pictures at your wedding.

What is the photographer´s primary style?
Many photographers claim to shoot both classic and photojournalistic photography, but in reality, most are better at one or the other. Make sure you know his or her strengths and background to ensure you get the wedding photos you want.

Do you shoot mostly in color, black and white, or both?
Your photographer should have experience with both and be able to customize to meet your needs.

How many rolls do you shoot?
Obviously more rolls of film means more wedding photos to choose from, but remember that more rolls usually cost more money.

Are you familiar with the location?
Your photographer should be familiar with the ceremony and reception site so that he or she can quickly and efficiently capture the best shots.

What are your references?
Call each reference and ask whether or not the person was satisfied with the overall experience and received the desired photos.

4) Get Everything in Writing
To avoid any confusion, all of the details that you have painstakingly discussed should be in writing. Read the contract carefully, especially the fine print.

Get even more photography advice and access to the best photographers near you in this complete wedding photography resource.

Wedding photographers require creative zeal as well as technical knowledge of cameras, lighting and posing. Creative wedding photographers constantly strive to improve their work and endeavor to avoid the pitfall of producing the same poses week after week. Today’s brides want something a little bit different, so that their wedding pictures will be truly distinctive.

Unlike most other commercial areas of photography, wedding photographers need not be full-time or “professional” photographers. Most weddings occur on weekends-when most people are not working at their regular nine-to-five jobs-and anyone who owns the proper equipment and possesses the ability can photograph a wedding. For this reason, many people are or would like to become what professional full-time photographers call “weekenders”. Weekenders frequently start out very innocently, when a friend or relative who knows that they take “nice pictures” asks them to take pictures at a wedding.

Temperament is as important to a wedding photographer as fine pictures. A typical wedding day may include encounters with crying mothers, intoxicated or angry guests and a variety of people who may intentionally or unintentionally become bothersome. Being able to deal with interpersonal relationships is therefore an invaluable asset. Short tempers, ulcers, a heart condition, and the like are not conducive to this type of work. On the other hand, some photographers, because of their charm, are so well liked that the client will be very happy with the pictures if they are slightly flawed in some way.

Once you decide to become a wedding photographer, two important questions arise. The first is how to learn to become a good wedding photographer. The emphasis here is on the word good, since anyone who takes pictures, assuming that the photographs are relative clear and properly exposed, can be considered a wedding photographer. The second question is whether to freelance or work for a studio. Apprenticeship may be a little-used expression in most other fields. It is however, the best way to learn wedding photography.

To really appreciate the strains and complexities encountered, you must go out and see what it’s like. The standard procedure calls for the apprentice to first watch what the photographer does. Once he thinks he knows what is happening, he will be able to assist the photographer in setting up equipment, he will be able to assist the photographer in setting up equipment or posing people. Later, using his own equipment, he will be allowed to shoot doubles of what the photographer takes. When the photographer feels confident in the work of his apprentice, he will allow him to shoot parts for the wedding alone. The final stage is when the apprentice-now photographer-does an entire job on his own.

Some wedding photographers work for studios as weekenders, some for themselves as weekenders, and many, to the chagrin of studio owners, do both. Most studios want people who are experienced and who can show samples of work already completed. A studio may train you if it feels that you have potential and show desire. Even if you have experience, a studio may want to retrain you to follow its particular style. Studios expect their photographers to work on a regular basis. They do not want to book your own jobs, nor are they happy if you work for their competitors. The greatest competition for most studios are weekenders,and usually their own! Talented freelancers have the potential to earn high fees. Getting started is the most difficult problem. No one wants you to experiment on their wedding day. One shortcoming of being a freelancer is that some brides insist that some formal pictures be taken in a studio.

Wedding photographers require creative zeal as well as technical knowledge of cameras, lighting and posing. Creative wedding photographers constantly strive to improve their work and endeavor to avoid the pitfall of producing the same poses week after week. Today’s brides want something a little bit different, so that their wedding pictures will be truly distinctive.

Unlike most other commercial areas of photography, wedding photographers need not be full-time or “professional” photographers. Most weddings occur on weekends-when most people are not working at their regular nine-to-five jobs-and anyone who owns the proper equipment and possesses the ability can photograph a wedding. For this reason, many people are or would like to become what professional full-time photographers call “weekenders”. Weekenders frequently start out very innocently, when a friend or relative who knows that they take “nice pictures” asks them to take pictures at a wedding.

Temperament is as important to a wedding photographer as fine pictures. A typical wedding day may include encounters with crying mothers, intoxicated or angry guests and a variety of people who may intentionally or unintentionally become bothersome. Being able to deal with interpersonal relationships is therefore an invaluable asset. Short tempers, ulcers, a heart condition, and the like are not conducive to this type of work. On the other hand, some photographers, because of their charm, are so well liked that the client will be very happy with the pictures if they are slightly flawed in some way.

Once you decide to become a wedding photographer, two important questions arise. The first is how to learn to become a good wedding photographer. The emphasis here is on the word good, since anyone who takes pictures, assuming that the photographs are relative clear and properly exposed, can be considered a wedding photographer. The second question is whether to freelance or work for a studio. Apprenticeship may be a little-used expression in most other fields. It is however, the best way to learn wedding photography.

To really appreciate the strains and complexities encountered, you must go out and see what it’s like. The standard procedure calls for the apprentice to first watch what the photographer does. Once he thinks he knows what is happening, he will be able to assist the photographer in setting up equipment, he will be able to assist the photographer in setting up equipment or posing people. Later, using his own equipment, he will be allowed to shoot doubles of what the photographer takes. When the photographer feels confident in the work of his apprentice, he will allow him to shoot parts for the wedding alone. The final stage is when the apprentice-now photographer-does an entire job on his own.

Some wedding photographers work for studios as weekenders, some for themselves as weekenders, and many, to the chagrin of studio owners, do both. Most studios want people who are experienced and who can show samples of work already completed. A studio may train you if it feels that you have potential and show desire. Even if you have experience, a studio may want to retrain you to follow its particular style. Studios expect their photographers to work on a regular basis. They do not want to book your own jobs, nor are they happy if you work for their competitors. The greatest competition for most studios are weekenders,and usually their own! Talented freelancers have the potential to earn high fees. Getting started is the most difficult problem. No one wants you to experiment on their wedding day. One shortcoming of being a freelancer is that some brides insist that some formal pictures be taken in a studio.

Most people will say that wedding photography can only be captured by a professional with a keen sense for creativity. These emotions will only be available over a short duration and can not be recreated. Most brides will first wonder how much does a wedding photographer cost. I will tell you this much, you will usually get what you pay for. This includes the creativity and time spent to create something unique. A professional wedding photographer in Michigan works very hard to preserve these once in a lifetime events.

You want your wedding to be perfect, and nothing is more important than the images from your big day. You will look back on these photos ten or twenty years from now reflecting on these precious memories. What do you expect from your wedding photographer? Do you want something simple, or something truly customized to your needs? This is a question you will have to ask yourself before finding out how much a wedding photographer will cost.

How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost

Well have you decided on what you are looking for yet? Before you do, you will need to understand the difference between cheap and good. I am sure you heard the slogan, ‘Cheap is not good and good is not cheap’. You will usually get what you pay for. As mentioned earlier this will be reflected in the time and energy put into your wedding day.

Knowing that your memories are on the line, you will have to feel comfortable with the wedding photographer you hire for your special occasion. Do you get the vibe that they will be able to deliver on your wedding day? Can they handle the expectations you have set for them? The best advice is to look over their portfolio and see if you notice any trends. If you do, then you are probably dealing with a cookie cutter service that does not step outside the sphere of influence often. Another biggie is recent references from brides within the last six months. These people will be able to tell you how they felt about their decision and the wedding photographer you are considering.

Cheap Wedding Photographers in Michigan

Buyer beware, there are many part time hobbyists out there that claim the title as a full time devoted wedding specialist. When looking over their portfolios do you notice color and emotion? Do their pictures tell a story about the day as it unfolds? Some different poses and indoor outdoor shots will give you an idea of the imagination of the vendor you are working with. This has to be one of the most important aspects of the choice you make. For example, many cheap wedding photographers in Michigan might not carry this trait. If they do, then their prices may be set low to acquire business because of a lack of referrals. You will have to do the investigating to figure out how their prices compare and what is the reasoning behind their pricing structure.

Average Wedding Photographer Prices

Many brides to be will consider price their deciding factor in going with a photographer. This is a big no no when it comes to hiring the company that can make or break the entire evening let alone day. Going back to what we said earlier price should be the least important factor. Now I would like you to think really hard for one moment.

Do you want your wedding reception and wedding ceremony pictures to be average?

Honestly, no bride does. Your wedding is different from all the others being planned. So how does your photographer set him/herself apart from the competition? Do they bring additional assistants to get more than one perspective? What is the turn around time on the proofs? To help you distinguish between the average and the exceptional, I have laid out a couple of helpful tips on how to choose a wedding photographer below.

Final considerations for a Wedding Photographer in Michigan

So there are several important questions you should be asking before going out of your way to pick the perfect wedding photographer. A couple of final considerations are the type of lighting your photographer will be using, the equipment/filters, how many assistants, and photo copyrights. Now that you have been given some great advice on how to choose a wedding photographer, it is up to you to make the final decision.

So, if you are looking for a creative and professional wedding photography company in Michigan, then keep in mind the following advice and you should get outstanding results.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.