Have you ever thought about what questions to ask your wedding photographer?
If you know exactly what to look for, your experience will be much easier and more relaxed.
There are many potential good questions, and they are all valid.
In this article, I’ll explain what I believe are the most important questions to ask your photographer before getting married.
Let’s get started!
How long does it take before I can see the images?
This is possibly the most common question my couples ask me, and for a good reason!
After all the excitement of your wedding day, you will soon want to experience again the magic of the day through your pictures.
Many photographers nowadays deliver their images within a few weeks. But be careful, some photographers can take up to a few months.
Especially if they are very busy, or very lazy.
The photographer should always state in the photography contract how long it will take for them to get your beautiful pictures ready.
And some even offer a “rush edit” fee: if you are willing to pay extra, they will get the pictures ready in just a few days.
What can I do with the images?
You might not be aware that some photographers keep the copyright of the images and grant you a license to use them.
Others instead just give you the copyright. Some others might keep the copyright and not even grant you a license to use the images!
They will push you to purchase the images after they are ready.
Be aware of all these differences and always ask your photographer before booking.
Then, double-check the terms and conditions of your photography contract. There is nothing worst than waiting weeks to see your images, to then realise you have to pay more to access the digital files or the full resolution file.
What happens if I have to cancel or reschedule?
The year 2020 and 2021 have been really tough on photographers, among other vendors.
Many couples had to reschedule their weddings because of Covid, and this helped shed some light on the photographer’s refund policy.
Most of the photographers require a non-refundable deposit in order to book them, and basically, you won’t have your deposit back in case you have to cancel or reschedule.
Many photographers will be happy to reschedule your wedding if they are available for the new date though.
However, if you pick a date when they are already booked, this can be a problem.
The photographer could simply refuse to shoot your wedding and hold on to the deposit. As always, read carefully your photography contract to avoid any surprises!
What happens if you are sick or unable to attend?
This is possibly the most important among what questions to ask your wedding photographer.
I am 100% sure no photographer in the world would bail on your wedding on purpose.
Simply because this would instantly destroy their career! But life is unpredictable and we can all get sick or injured when we don’t expect it.
Most photographers always have a backup photographer ready to cover for them when things turn bad.
And many times this will also mean you’ll get a discount on your photography package!
Will you be the photographer shooting my wedding? If not, can I meet the other photographer?
This can be really surprising for many couples.
If you are hiring a very well known or busy photographer, there is a chance the person you speak with won’t be the one shooting your wedding.
In the industry, this is called associate shooting. A photographer that is very requested can easily multiply his income by sending other photographers to shoot a wedding for them.
But if you are not aware of this before your wedding day, it can be such an awful surprise.
Ask your photographer if he or she will be the one shooting at your wedding, and if not, ask to meet with the person that actually will be there.
Being comfortable with your photographer is the key, and you really want to meet the person and establish a relationship with them before the big day!
What’s exactly included in your package?
This might seem silly, but many couples don’t even think to ask what’s actually included in the package they’re paying for.
Nowadays photographers can add so many products to their offer. Slideshows, sneak peeks, albums, gifts, engagement sessions, vouchers, guides, wooden boxes, USBs, the list can go on.
A great photographer will always put in writing what’s included in the package you are purchasing. And you should always be able to make sure the photographer delivered exactly what you paid for.
And if you are not interested in some of the products already included in the package, this might help you get a little discount. Happy days!
Are there any extra fees?
It’s very rare, but it can happen that you incur some extra fees, mainly depending on the nature of your wedding
Many photographers charge a travel fee if they have to travel more than 1 hour to get to your wedding. Or if you’re having a destination wedding, you will have to pay for travel and accommodation.
Always ask before booking to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
I believe it’s important knowing what questions to ask your wedding photographer before booking them.
If you have any other questions you’d like to ask me, just drop me a comment and I’ll be happy to help you.
If you want to check more guides on how to get ready for your wedding day, click here.
