With so many suppliers to book, when picking the perfect photographer it can be hard to know where to start and what you should be asking. The wonderful Denise from Angels with Dirty Faces Photography has joined us today to demystify selecting your ideal photographer!
Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
1. Is my date available?
Photographers are one of the suppliers that get booked up very quickly, especially during summer months. Start making enquiries as soon as you have booked your venue. This is be the first and more important question!
2. What are the packages you offer?
Photographers will offer different packages, from shooting the bridal preparations to the first dance. Other photographers may offer half day options, capturing the ceremony and beyond. Certain days or dates can also be cheaper than summer weekend weddings, so make sure to double check what your date falls under.
What you receive may differ from package to package also, some including albums and prints, and others the jpegs as a digital download.
Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
3. How local are you to me and the venue?
Some photographers will include travel in their package price, although there may be additional fees over a certain distance. Bear in mind that if your photographer is coming from further afield they may need to stay in a hotel in the before to ensure they do not get caught in any traffic, this is likely a cost you will be charged for. It’s always good to know if your photographer has been to your venue before, they may know some great areas around the venue for photo backdrops!
4. What is your style?
Every photographer has their own style, so it’s a great idea to find out how they shoot and whether it aligns with what you are hoping for. Do they blend into the background and shoot lots of candid images, or are they quite hands on in getting the exact photos you want?
Any photographer you are considering will showcase their work for you, take a look through their galleries (online and in print) to see their consistent style. This will help you see if it matches your image for your big day.
5. What experience do you have?
It is more than OK to ask how long your photographer has been shooting weddings, or how many weddings they shoot a year. This is a supplier which you wouldn’t want to entrust with someone who has no experience, and you need to be able to trust your photographer to provide you with the perfect reflection of your wedding day. Make sure to read the testimonials and reviews on their site, or social media, better yet ask any friends that you know have used that photographer to set your mind at ease.
6. Can we meet?
The best way to get to know your photographer is to meet face-to-face! You will be with your photographer all day and need to feel comfortable around them. You could consider having an engagement shoot to get to know your photographer further.
Understandably there may be circumstances when meeting up isn’t possible, so be sure to FaceTime or Skype at the very least!
Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
7. What is the booking process?
Securing your date is very important to do as soon as possible. Ask how to go about booking your photographer and paying the booking fee to secure your chosen photographer. You will often have to pay the remainder of the balance a few weeks before the wedding, so make sure to include it in your budgeting.
8. How often do we keep in contact?
Keep in contact with your photographer after booking. It is always helpful for them to have a timeline of your day, so that they can plan accordingly. Furthermore, consider the group or family shoots you may want and send this list over to your photographer.
Personally, I like to meet up a couple of weeks before the wedding to go over the details and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
9. What happens if you can’t make it?
Whilst your photographer will stop at nothing to get to your wedding, it is good to know what their contingency plan is. This is usually a team of fellow photographers with a similar style!
It is also a good idea to check that your photographer has back-up equipment and insurance for full cover on your day.
10. How long will I wait for my photos?
The turn around for the editing of your photographs will vary depending on the season, as such it’s a good idea to ask for the rough time frame, this will help manage your expectations. Additionally, if you hope for prints, or an album, ask how much these will cost if not included in your package.
Photo Credit: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
And finally, Will you cry at the ceremony or speeches?
I’m kidding! This is not one you need to ask. For me, I get very involved in your day, you and your partner matter to me. So if I get a bit teary, don’t worry, you wont notice, I will be behind my camera!
Photo Credit: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
Thank you for these great questions Denise. If you have any further questions, feel free to have a chat with Denise at Angels with Dirty Faces Photography to discuss your wedding day!
Photo Credit: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
Thanks for the mention guys! Hope this helps a little with the wedding planning!