| Don't be afraid to ask questions. Questions are | | | | wedding photography. |
| GOOD! The more questions you ask, the more | | | | There is also the practice of 'second shooting' which |
| involved you become, the more informed both you | | | | is where photographers gain experience by tagging |
| and your photographer are, the smoother the | | | | along at a wedding and assisting a 'main' |
| process will be. | | | | photographer. It's a great way to create a fab |
| I love it when I get 'fussy' brides. It means that I | | | | portfolio of wedding images, but working your own |
| know exactly what they want, they feel assured I | | | | wedding as a main photographer is an entirely |
| know what they want - the more demanding the | | | | different experience. |
| bride before the day, the better I like it! | | | | 6 - Will there be a contract of the services to be |
| So here's my top ten questions to ask: | | | | provided? |
| 1 - Will you adjust your style to suit what I want? | | | | Answer - should be an emphatic yes! You should |
| Answer - within reason. Any professional | | | | require a contract from your photographer that |
| photographer would rather pass a non-fitting client on | | | | details what services they will be providing, pricing, |
| to a more-suited colleague than try and be something | | | | cancellation policy, delivery expectations etc. A |
| they are not, just to keep a job. But flexibility is of | | | | contract is created for your protection, and for the |
| course essential, too! Be sure before you meet that | | | | wedding photographer's protection. Be wary of |
| the photographer's style is what you are looking for - | | | | investing your cash in photographers that "don't |
| and if you change your mind whilst viewing more of | | | | usually bother with a formal contract." |
| their work, do not be afraid to say so. It saves | | | | 7 - Do you have insurance? |
| everyone time! | | | | Answer - It may seem an insignificant thing now, but |
| 2 - What is your method of working on the day? | | | | professional wedding photographers should have the |
| Answer - there is no right answer to this, but your | | | | proper insurance for their business. Insurance means |
| photographer should have a very clear and | | | | that if anything hideous occurs, the photographer is |
| experienced idea of the layout of a wedding day, | | | | insured to restage the photographs for you. It also |
| how they will cover each part, which parts they will | | | | protects the photographer against equipment theft, |
| control and which parts they will allow to flow around | | | | of course. But most importantly to you it provides |
| them. As long as they're not hesitating and fudging | | | | liability protection in case Aunty Mildred trips over the |
| over what actually will happen, it is down to your | | | | photographer's bag and breaks her hip. If a wedding |
| judgement to decide whether their answer matches | | | | photographer does not have insurance, chances are |
| your wishes. | | | | that they are either new to the industry, or simply |
| 3 - What is your back up plan? | | | | aren't taking their business seriously. |
| Ask for details - its easy to say 'oh, don't worry, I | | | | 8 - How long do you work on the day? |
| have it covered', but really, what will they do if they | | | | Answer - again, no right or wrong answer, but one |
| break their leg the day before your wedding? You | | | | you need to weigh up in importance to you |
| need to believe they have genuine back up available. | | | | personally. Many photographers charge extra for the |
| Working with other good local photographers also | | | | evening, some have strict hour limits, some will work |
| means they are respected professionally, which is a | | | | on to their own discretion. It doesn't really matter, |
| great testimonial in itself. | | | | you just need to know in advance. |
| 4 - How long does the photographer anticipate the | | | | 9 - What about the pictures? |
| family formals and the bridal formals will take? | | | | Answer - When you ask to see a sample of wedding |
| Answer - Again, there is no right or wrong answer to | | | | albums, makes sure you see a complete album of |
| this - just a matching of your own expectations. | | | | photographs from one wedding, rather than a |
| There is no point in hiring a photographer who takes | | | | collection of good pictures from a selection of |
| the most beautiful bridal portrait images if it takes | | | | weddings. Look carefully at the photos to check how |
| them over an hour of posing to get them, when you | | | | shots are set up - can you see a selection of tidy, |
| only want to leave your guests for 15 minutes. | | | | well organised group shots, and are all of the group |
| Equally, if those posed beautiful images are what you | | | | positioned in the shot, or have people been missed |
| desire, don't choose a pure photojournalist | | | | off at the edges? Do the people in the photographs |
| photographer who will only take 5 minutes. | | | | look relaxed, happy and comfortable? It is helpful to |
| 5 - How many weddings have you shot? | | | | check not only the bride and groom but also the |
| There are no guarantees of course, but do a job | | | | friends and relations in the photos. |
| often enough and you can't help but learn it well. And | | | | 10 - Would you feel happy owning your version of |
| how many as opposed to how long is a far better | | | | the pictures you are shown? |
| indicator - your photographer could have been a | | | | A question that only you can answer. If the answer |
| brilliant studio photographer for 20 years, but only | | | | is "yes" then you have probably found your perfect |
| shot 10 weddings in that time. Meaning they're a | | | | wedding photographer. |
| great photographer, but very inexperienced at | | | | |