Hiring a Wedding Photographer
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Whether you’re a bride, groom, or in some other role at the wedding, this is an exciting time. It’s also a nerve-wracking one. After all, there are so many things to plan and organize—so much work to do! In addition to choosing your venue and guests, you may want to think about hiring a professional photographer for your big day. While it might seem like hiring someone else would be less stressful than doing it yourself (and I won’t dispute that point), there are still lots of things that need to be taken into consideration when choosing someone who will capture this special day for you forever:
You can use these questions to help you hire a great wedding photographer.
In this article, you'll find six questions to ask before hiring a photographer for your wedding.
- What is your preferred method of communication? In other words, how do you like to connect with your clients and how often should they expect to hear from you? Referrals are always great but let's face it: sometimes they're hard to come by or not applicable in the current situation. So if someone has never heard of the person and doesn't know any referrals, what should they do? How can they select wisely if there aren't many options when it comes down to it?
- How many hours will we get coverage for our wedding day/ceremony/reception/etc.? This may seem like an odd question but there are some photographers who offer packages that include only certain portions of your wedding day; for example: "4 hour coverage includes ceremony only." Or perhaps "full day coverage includes ceremony and reception." If so, what does all this mean exactly? Is there anything extra required when booking a package like this (i.e., album purchase)?
What is your style?
This is one of the most important questions to ask. A good wedding photographer should be able to articulate their style and how it would work for your particular wedding. You want a photographer who can give you an idea of what kind of photos they will take, but not someone who goes into so much detail that it becomes overwhelming.
Shoot the Shutter, a website dedicated to helping couples find photographers, has put together a great list of questions you should ask before hiring any professional:
- How do you describe your style?
- What do some of your favorite pictures look like?
- Do you have any examples from past weddings where my dress/grooms attire might fit in well with the color scheme already determined by our family members and friends (ahem…grandma)?
Do you have a second photographer?
Make sure your photographer has a second photographer.
Having a second person on your wedding day can make all the difference in achieving the photos you want. A second shooter allows for more angles, different perspectives and options for when things go wrong (which they will). It also means that you don't need to worry about getting all of your shots done by one person.
Does the photographer have experience shooting at weddings? Do they know what poses work well? Do they take direction well? Are they comfortable with posing couples/groups/families so that everyone looks natural and happy in their pictures? Can they handle being around strangers all day long without being weird or pushy about it? Once again, these are just some questions that should be asked when considering hiring someone who doesn't have experience working at weddings before—it's not meant as a slight against photographers who haven't worked at many weddings; rather, it should be used as an opportunity for couples seeking out new photographers (or those wanting to hire people with less experience) to discuss expectations and understand how it might affect their overall experience on this very important day!
How many weddings do you shoot in a week?
The number of weddings a photographer shoots in a week is completely dependent on that individual. Some photographers shoot one wedding per week, while others will shoot two or three. If you want to know how many weddings they shoot in a given week, ask them directly!
Are you insured?
Insurance is a legal requirement for wedding photographers. If they are not insured and something bad happens to them or their equipment during the shoot, you could be sued and end up in a lot of legal trouble. So it’s important to ask your photographer if they have insurance before hiring them.
Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of?
Before you sign a contract, ask the photographer to explain all costs and fees. You should be able to tell how much money you will have to pay at each stage of the process, as well as when and how you'll be expected to pay it (for example, in full or in installments). Some photographers include their own equipment rental costs in their final bill, while others charge extra for each piece of equipment they use. Ask what's included in your quote so there aren't any surprises later on down the line.
If you're still unsure about what's included and what's not when it comes time for payment, ask if this can be added into a contract before signing anything official. Remember: there should be no hidden fees! The photographer should be upfront about all costs before handing over their services—including any materials used during an engagement shoot—and if they don't offer one up front then that should raise some red flags around whether or not this person really cares about transparency (a big factor when working with any professional).
How many photos will I receive and how long will it take to get them back to me?
When hiring a photographer, it’s important to know how many photos they will take and how long it will take to get them back. Some photographers offer unlimited images, while others have a set amount. If you aren’t sure what type of package you want, ask what their most popular options are and why they chose those options above all others.
As for delivery time frames, this is another thing that is largely dependent on the photographer's style and turnaround rate. Some photographers take longer than others because of their busy schedules or due to technical issues with the equipment used during shoots (for example: poor lighting). Since there isn't anything that can be done about either issue except wait patiently until the vendor returns your calls/emails/messages--it's best if both parties agree on an appropriate amount of time beforehand so as not to cause any unnecessary stress during this special moment in your life!
We hope this blog has helped you to better understand the questions that should be asked when hiring a wedding photographer. If you have any questions for us, or if you'd like to see more in-depth information about our work, please don't hesitate to contact us!
If you're interested in learning more about budget-friendly options for your wedding photography, please contact us today! We'd be happy to chat with you about our packages and discounts.
Thank you for reading!
Affordable Wedding photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography.
Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in affordable wedding photography as well as backyard wedding photography and small intimate weddings. Currently accepting weddings in East Brunswick, Highland Park and surrounding areas in New Jersey.
