Photography Takes an Instance Out of Time. Altering Life
After months of preparing, the big day is nearing. You’ve meticulously planned every detail of your wedding, and you’re certain that nothing will go wrong. Yet, you still need a wedding photographer, and you are about to narrow down the endless possibilities. But do you know what you’re searching for?
In order to discover the right wedding photographer for you, it’s important to get down with them and talk about your vision, ask questions about their portfolio, and determine if you click. Because you’ll be spending the whole of your wedding day together. Therefore, a video or in-person meeting with your potential photographer is suggested. Sirwiss has commissioned industry professionals linked with Sirwiss to compile a list of questions you may want to ask a wedding photographer to help you assess whether they are the perfect one for you.
The Most Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Here are the important questions to ask your photographer which will ensure you find the perfect one.
General Questions
1. Are You Available on the Scheduled Date?
A seemingly straightforward question, yet we can’t stress this enough as photographers are sometimes booked 12 to 18 months in advance. Make inquiries in your first contact email whether the date is available and confirm in person of your days schedule. Determine how long in advance a deposit is required to acquire their services.
2. How Many Weddings Do You Cover Per Year?
This is not to gauge their popularity, but rather to ascertain their availability. Some photographers have additional day jobs; by asking this question, you may determine the person’s adaptability. Don’t disregard a photographer if it’s not their full-time job, but keep in mind that photo editing is a lengthy process, so you may not get your photographs as soon or the date you want may be booked by another couple if they only shoot a limited number of weddings per year. If the photographer you admire only photographs a limited number of weddings year, you may need to be flexible with your wedding date.
3. May I See Any Wedding Photo Albums? Are All Photographs Your Own? How Long Have These Being Taken?
Examining their website’s portfolio will give you a sense of their style, but they are only representative samples. To really determine whether you enjoy a photographer’s work, you must peruse a whole album. This will indicate if they capture the story of the day, whether you appreciate how they shoot images in varied lighting settings, and if their quality and style are consistent. You’ll want the albums to be current and to include photographs taken by your photographer, not by someone from the same agency, for instance.
4. Have You Previously Worked at Our Venue? If Not, Do You Plan on Visiting Prior To the Event?
Again, this is not a deal-breaker, but a photographer who has already worked at your location will be familiar with the lighting and layout. They will have previously investigated the ideal locations for nighttime photography and where to take you for your couple shots. Even better, you’ll be able to see a whole photo album of photographs they’ve shot there in the past. If they have never photographed at the location before, your photographer may like to see it first. Your venue’s coordinator may coordinate with them. If the location is compatible with your wedding venue and photographer, you may consider doing an engagement shoot there.
5. What’s Included In Your Wedding Package?
If you cannot discover pricing or package information on the photographer’s website, you will need to inquire in order to determine whether you will get what you want and if it will fit within your wedding budget. According to our survey, couples spent AED5,200 on wedding photography in 2021. Keep in mind that this is only an average. Pricing and packages for wedding photography will vary from photographer to photographer, and there will be a variety of reasons for their pricing and package structure, so be sure to discuss it with them in order to understand what is included.
You’ll want to know how many hours the photographer will be present on your wedding day, what images you’ll get and in what format, whether there will be an engagement session, and if there will be a second shooter. Obtain a written statement of what is included in your package so that both parties have a clear grasp of what is expected. If your budget is limited, discuss this with your photographer; they may be able to provide you with more cost-effective solutions, such as spending less time with you or providing fewer images.
6. What Information Do You Need from Us Prior to the Wedding?
The photographer will need to know the specifics of the big day well in advance, including the location of the ceremony and reception, the location of the bridal preparations, the time of departure in the morning, the time of the speeches and the cutting of the cake, the time of the first dance, and the lighting conditions. He/she will prefer having more data.
Photography Style
7. Explain Your Photography Style.
We’ve compiled a photography vocabulary where you can learn the ins and outs of the three most common photographic emphases. In a nutshell, there is reportage, which is documentary and tells the narrative of your day, traditional, which emphasizes formal, set group images and classic shots, and modern, which is more fashion-led and editorial. Get a sense of your wedding photographer’s aesthetic by asking to see their favorite shot.
8. Can I Read Testimonials?
Can you find reviews easily, and are these reviews consistent across different platforms? Check out what previous customers have said about them on review sites like Hitched, Google, and Facebook, and see how the company handles negative feedback.
9. Can We Provide You with a List of Specific Shots That We’d Like?
A shot list is a list that a couple sends to their photographer of the absolute must-have images that they want them to capture, such as a memorable snapshot with your grandparents. Most photographers should have no trouble doing this, but don’t request too many or it will take time away from shooting the candid moments of the day. Most photographers will know precisely what photographs to capture since they do it as a profession, so don’t get too caught up on a list.
10. Do You Include an Engagement Shoot in Your Package?
An engagement session is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with your photographer while also becoming more comfortable in front of the camera. You’ll get used to being instructed and will refine your appealing grin. If your package does not include an engagement shoot, it is worth bargaining one in or paying extra for one.
On THE Day
11. When Do You Plan to Arrive at the Venue?
Make it clear in your contract if your photographer will accompany you to the ceremony or will meet you there. Most couples would want the preparations and travel to the venue photographed since it is such an important part of the day, but if you’re on a tight budget, it may be cheaper to cut down on the photographer’s hours and exclude these.
12. Will You Be the Main Photographer on the Day?
Bigger agencies have several photographers on staff, so you must ensure that the photographer you are speaking with is the one you will get. Even if they are attending the wedding as a second photographer, you should see the lead photographer in person before paying a deposit.
13. What Does a Second Shooter Cost?
A second photographer is often included as standard with more costly wedding packages. This is a second photographer who is there to complement the first photographer’s photographs, either by getting various viewpoints or by being in locations where the first photographer cannot be, such as the drinks reception during the group shots. It is vital to have a second photographer for a huge wedding in order to catch the morning preparations of both sides of the marriage.
14. What Is Your Plan B If You Cannot Attend the Event?
People become sick and have family crises. Your photographer will likely have a network of colleagues they may rely upon in the event of unforeseen changes. Wedding insurance is usually suggested to cover any last-minute mishaps, regardless of how well you’ve planned. You will only get one shot at this day, so you must trust that they have you covered if they choose to dismiss your inquiry.
15. Can We Pay an Additional Fee If You Must Stay Longer?
If you want to capture a late-evening sparkler send-off, for instance, or if the day goes longer than expected, it’s always a good idea to inquire about the photographer’s rates for additional time.
Packages and Payment
16. How Much Is the Down Payment and When Is It Due?
Knowing when the deposit is due will allow you to budget for your wedding and book your photographer. The due dates for installment payments should be communicated in writing.
17. How Long Will It Take for the Photos to Arrive?
Two to six weeks following the wedding, your photographs will likely be uploaded to an online gallery. Check with your photographer before booking. In the days after your wedding, some photographers may give you a limited selection of edited photographs (called sneak peeks/highlights/previews), so you may get a sense of how they appear. Plan to wait longer for your images during peak seasons; your photographer will give you a clear idea of how long the process should take, and many share their edit queues on Instagram so you can gauge their pace.
18. Are You Offering Album and/or Printing Services?
With more premium packages, a photo album may be provided. In the alternative, inquire about the price and request samples. Although you’ll have a license to print your own images, you may be able to make something more personal and in your style by printing them yourself at a shop.
19. How Will We Get Our Photographs?
The majority of photographers use digital rather than film, therefore you can expect to get a complete set of edited digital copies of your wedding photographs as part of your wedding package (the quantity of images you will receive will vary; ask your photographer how many shots they typically provide). Unless your photographer has said otherwise, you may expect to get between 650 and 850 edited images for a full-day wedding. Keep in mind that a variety of factors determine the number of photographs you get and inquire with your photographer before to booking how many they typically deliver. The majority of wedding photographers will provide as many high-quality images as possible, whilst blurry or ugly images will be eliminated.
21. When Must the Final Payment Be Made?
Understanding how many installments you must make and when the final payment is due may assist you in budgeting for your wedding. Note that the majority of photographers are independent small companies with rent to pay, so avoid delays. There’s no harm in asking whether your photographer would provide a discount or throw in a freebie if you pay them in full when you hire their services.