Eleven Questions to Ask a Photographer Before You Book
Nashville, Tennessee Wedding Photographer
Choosing a photographer for your wedding day might be difficult. What is our recommendation? First, decide on your day-of photography style, and then search for professional wedding photographers within your budget. Once you've limited your selection down to two or three potential wedding photographers, ask them these questions to see if you feel at ease around them.
While these are vital questions to ask any professional photographer you meet, they are also helpful things to think about when considering a photographer whose work you admire but have never met. The answers to these questions will give information about what it takes to be a good photographer.
So, here's how I'll explain the questions and offer you my responses:
1. How many weddings have you photographed?
You only have one chance to capture amazing wedding photos, so hire someone who knows how to take them under circumstances. Someone who shoots weddings for a living, and passionately doing the job. Knowing how many events they've photographed will give you the impression that they're already professionals. Their professional photography has developed as a result of their various experiences at those events.
2. Do you bring backup equipment with you?
If you are a working professional, you must have as much backup equipment as you can afford. Most photographers understand the importance of having backup equipment. The significance of this is that if a piece of equipment breaks down, you have a backup. As a client, you must ask this question so that you never find yourself in a situation where a camera breaks and a smartphone is used as a replacement. This isn't the service you paid for.
3. What happens if you get sick and can’t shoot my wedding? Will you find a replacement?
This is important. You'd like to know what would happen if your photographer became ill the day before or on the day of your wedding. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't want my second shooter to conduct the wedding alone. If your photographer is a member of a local photographic association, he or she will be able to connect with others who can assist them with the event, as well as your second shooter.
4. How do you back up your files?
Many of us will encounter data loss at some point in our lives and you don’t want to happen that on your wedding. A good backup solution to avoid data loss, one would deal with a situation involving deleted wedding photos, because those priceless moments would be impossible to replicate. Unfortunately, it appears that data loss is required for many of us to seriously consider a strong backup plan and workflow.
We have a lot of photographs and other digital properties that we need to preserve as photographers. The most important thing is that you completely understand the strategy you have in place, regardless of which option you choose to store and back up your files. Know where the original copies of your files are kept.
5. Will you help me put together the timeline?
The wedding day timeline is the most important component of your wedding day planning. As your photographer, we understand that the majority of couples have never planned a wedding and are unaware of what to expect. You want a photographer that will not only be present on your wedding day but who will also assist you with your wedding timetable. A professional photographer will be delighted to collaborate with you on your timeline, resulting in zero mistakes.
6. What is your turnaround time for photos?
You'd like to know when you may expect to see the images. It takes between two and six weeks on average. Of course, photographers will do everything they can to get your images to you as soon as possible; many will even provide you a sneak peek of a selection that has been edited for you to see. However, the complete wedding album can take some time, but it's crucial to remember that what they're doing takes time, and the wait is typically well worth it.
7. How do you stay creative during the busy season?
Autumn is known as the "busy season” for all photographers. While we enjoy being busy and booked, we must stay on top of our business to ensure that our clients are satisfied. Photographers can get trapped in a rut with their creativity from time to time. One of my most effective strategies for staying on top of things is to plan out my week before it begins.
I have my planner in which I write out my entire week's itinerary. I start by putting down all of my weekly duties and goals on a separate piece of paper, and after I've filled in all of my forthcoming sessions for the week, I time slot each task that has to be completed. This strategy keeps me on schedule for the entire week, and I know exactly what I need to accomplish each day!
8. Do you offer albums and wall art?
Every couple who books with us is encouraged to purchase an album. An album is a valuable heirloom that you may keep and use to cherish your memories for a lifetime. Another service we provide is wall art, which is the most customer-friendly and appreciated by every couple. Unsurprisingly, photographers' most commonly requested print product is this one. It's easy to see why wall-art is a low-cost, high-quality product that's lightweight and easy to admire because it's always on display.
9. Could I see a full wedding gallery?
Requesting a full wedding gallery is one of the most important things you should do while looking for the best wedding photographer for you. Why? At this point, you'll be able to tell the difference between photographers. This is the most efficient way to get to know their style and get a sneak peek at what to expect on your wedding day! To guarantee that you're making the greatest option possible, you should review your wedding photographer's work in further detail.
10. Have you shot at my venue before or one similar?
Finding a photographer who has shot at your location previously would be excellent because it's easy to imagine they have some sort of mastery of the place over someone else. But even if your photographer hasn’t been on a shoot in your wedding venue, as long as the photographer is willing to ocular or visit the place. Your photographer should be aware of any venue requirements or concerns unique to the location.
11. What are your COVID policies?
The importance of our shared safety demands us to maintain the safest environment possible. All attendees and vendors are assumed to be COVID-19 carriers who are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. We've structured our cleaning and workflow based on the assumption that everyone is a carrier. Our photographers will strictly follow the Covid-19 protocols. Subjects will be kept at least 6 feet away from the camera and lighting equipment, and they will not be allowed to touch any of it under any circumstances. As photographers, we want to make sure there are some basic parameters in place to help stop the virus from spreading and keep everyone healthy and happy.
Do: Maintain Social Distancing
Do: Clean Your Gear
Don’t: Share Equipment
Do: Wash Your Hands
Don’t: Get Overwhelmed
All of the present rules and changes can be frightening, so it's critical to remember that things will improve and that people are available to help. Try to adhere to all of the guidelines and rules to the best of your ability.
Do you need assistance putting together your wedding day dream team? Save time by letting us help you choose the perfect providers by giving you a shortlist of trusted vendors based on your wedding vision and goals. Please contact us to learn more about how we can assist you in planning your wedding. Continue to follow us on Instagram and check out our Pinterest board for more wedding ideas.