What questions do I ask a photographer?

My fiance and I are looking into photographers for our wedding next summer, we have over a year but I want to be sure I get the right one. What questions should I ask when interviewing potentials?

Look through their work - not just the awesome showcase photos they have on their website, but go through each and every picture from a single wedding to check consistency.

If you have a friend that's into photography, get them to ask about the equipment they'll be using to shoot the event.

Find out what their rates are and what EXACTLY is included in the photography packages. Remember to check out how much reprints cost if they aren't willing to give up the negatives, because that can be a black hole for money.

Ask them if they have a partner or if they work alone. My fiance was specifically looking for a team of two or more because he wanted the second photographer to "spy" on our guests while we are having the bridal party photos taken (he wanted a lot of candids).

Find out what their policy is regarding overtime - if your wedding goes longer than expected or you decide late in the game that you'd like an extra hour, how does that affect the pricing?

Will they attend the rehearsal so that they can plan out where they might like to stand / discuss what moments you really want captured on film?

Are their shots during the ceremony going to require flash?

Will they let you have a "right of first refusal" for your date as you continue to shop around? (Tentative reservation of your wedding date -- if somebody else wants to book them, they call you first; You decide right then if you want that vendor or relinquish the date to the other party.)

How do they approach the day? Will they take the time to get to know YOU as a couple, or do they have a handful of "wedding poses" that they repeat for each wedding? (You can also figure this out by looking at their work from other weddings)

Photography is important because it is probably the number one reminder you'll have of the day, not to mention one of the most expensive parts of planning a wedding! Good luck finding your vendor!!

How long have you been doing this? Or how many wedding have you done? Did you go to school or did you study under someone?

You should always look at their books or website. Also you need to tell them what type of photos you're looking for (more formal types, mostly candids, or a balanced mix). Then tell them a little about the wedding, the location(s) and about the wedding party. Make sure they understand what they are looking for and ask if they think they could handle it.

Also maybe ask if they have some reference of past jobs that you could talk to.

Everyone has given you wonderful answers. I have just a few things to add to what they have already mentioned:

Make sure you find out if they are using film or digital. Find out what happens if the film doesn't work right, or gets lost. Do you get a full refund? Will there be one photographer, or more? How many cameras are they going to have with them? Do you get a CD of all the pictures? Are they planning on taking any black and white photos, or will everything be in color? (I suggest all in color, and you can always change them to black and white if you desire! My step-daughter's photographer did some in black and white, and they were ones she would have preferred to have in color. Make sure you get the ones you want in color, in color, if you decide to let them shoot in black and white.) Read the contract very carefully and make sure you agree with everything on there. Make sure your deposit is refundable if the photographer flakes out. That's all I can think of...

Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!

Look at his wedding portfolio and get him to explain who owns the film and t what his wedding package consists of.
Shop around.

ask to see a brides photo album that is ready for pick up this way you can see that actual kinds of prints and quality they do... instead of an album of thier best work
ask who gets to keep the proofs (you want them) ask how many locations, how many hours, if there is a traveling fee....what kinds of packaging they do for your album, how many pics they take at the wedding, and just look at them are they professional, do they look like someone who you can trust, ask if it is going to be them personaly or someone else, and make sure you can meet with that person bofore hand, ask for references from brides, good luck i know how stressful wedding planning can be at least you have alot of time to shop around!!!

Ask to see samples of his wedding-related work; and ask to see in writing what his rates are for his wedding-related packages or orders.

Also be sure to ask how many proofs you will be getting. Find out if the negatives are included or if you need to pay extra for these (usually several hundred dollars extra).

1. Ask to see their work, specifically.
2.Ask who the job would go to if they were unable to make it in an emergency
3. Ask exactly what you get and who gets the rights to the pictures.
4. Ask if they are comfortable giving directions to the wedding party.
But all in all, just make sure their work is the kind of pictures that you want. Ive seen so many brides dissapointed because they asked for journalistic style work but it wasnt what they expected.

This is a pretty thorough list of questions to ask your photographer.

Modern Wedding Advice
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