Questions To Ask Your Prospective Photographer

When you sit down to interview a prospective wedding photographer, here are a few questions you can ask to get a better idea of what working with them will be like. Explanations for asking these questions and my answers to them in italics below:

How long have you been photographing weddings?
(There are no right or wrong answers here, but experience does count. The longer a photographer has been shooting weddings gives you an idea that they know what to expect and know how to handle the day. A photographer with less experience [say, only a year or two] may still be trying to find their bearings and may not make you feel as confident in their abilities.

However many [or few] years of experience they have, in the end, it is their photographic style that speaks for itself. If you like their photographic style and “see” yourself in those photos, then that is the best way to tell that this is “your” photographer.  Me: I have been shooting weddings since 1997. I have been doing it as my own full time business since 2003 I love it! It’s a wonderful and rewarding business to be in.)

Do you bring backup equipment?
(Professionals do and should. They should have more than one camera body, lens and flash.
Me: I bring several camera bodies, lenses, flashes, batteries, media cards, etc. for every wedding. If something breaks, I just grab a backup right out of my camera bag and keep shooting.)

Do you bring an assistant/second shooter? Is there any extra charge for that?
(Having a great assistant is golden to a professional photographer, having someone else there to help with the bride’s train, arrange formal group shots, get the photographer a lens they need, setting up lights, etc., makes it easier for the primary photographer to focus on photographing the day. Having another shooter is great—they can catch another point of view of the whole day and are automatically there as back up if the primary photographer has an emergency. Some photographers don’t work with or need assistants—and that’s OK! It can just really be a little extra vote of confidence if they do.
Me: I bring an assistant to every wedding, no matter what package my client has chosen. I do not require any extra charge for this. All of my assistants that I use have college education in photography and their work was carefully screened by me before they were hired. Having their help on a busy, hectic wedding day is priceless to me.)

How long will it take to get our photos after the wedding?
(Again, no right or wrong answers here. Some photographers take weeks, some only a few days to get your images to you. Every photographer has a different workflow style. Faster times may sound good, but are not necessarily better.
Me: I take about two to three weeks to deliver the finished wedding pictures. That may sound like a lot, but when you consider that the bride and groom will probably be on their honeymoon the entire first week, it isn’t, really. I also take my time with my images. Photography is a craft and great craftsmanship can take a little time. All my proofs are finished, color corrected, retouched, sharpened and a few other special treatments done to them before they get into my client’s hands. They have to look perfect—not just half-finished!)

What time would you arrive on the wedding day to start pictures?
(This is a great question that gives you an idea of how organized your photographer will be on the big day. If you tell them your ceremony time, they should be able to walk you through their typical timeline. They should tell you what time they would arrive at the church, what they will be shooting before the wedding, what will be shot after the ceremony and how long they will stay at the reception.
Me: Here is a typical timeline for me for a wedding day where they have an 8 hour package and do not see each other before the ceremony. Let’s just pretend we have a one hour ceremony that begins at 1:30 pm.:

11:30 am—photographer arrives at church

11:30-Noon—candid photos of bride getting dressed, groom getting ready

Noon-12:30pm—photography of bride and bridesmaids

12:30-1pm—photography of groom and groomsmen

1-1:30pm—“downtime” before ceremony, I am still taking photos of guests arriving, decorations, guestbook and program people, etc.

1:30-2:30pm—photography of the wedding ceremony

2:45-3:15 or 3:30pm—photography of bride and groom together, B&G with each side of the immediate families and B&G with entire wedding party

Then, at some point before the B&G arrive at the reception, I like to take them somewhere [on the church grounds, a nearby park or some other pre-discussed location] to take “fun stuff”. Romantic photos, silly photos, whatever they want to do. The bridesmaid and groomsmen usually come along for this too for some more relaxed and fun group shots. This is usually my favorite part of the day!

Once we arrive at the reception the bride and groom have me until 7:30 [they had an 8 hour package—remember?] for all of the reception activities. This is almost always enough time, depending on what time the main meal at the reception began [on a day like this, the meal would usually be around 5 or 5:30pm]. If I am needed to stay longer, that is no problem. I never plan anything else on a wedding day, so, if needed, I can stay overtime for an hourly rate that does not need to be paid until later. Either way, I do not leave without checking with you first!)

You may have many more questions—ask away! A good photographer should be willing and able to answer any that you may have. Having a great, thorough conversation with a wedding photographer can tell you so much about how comfortable a relationship you will have once you hire them.

Written by: Jeannie Turnock of Equinox Photography 

If you would like to see some of Jeannie's work, click here!