Let’s face it, the first thing that’s going to draw you to a particular photographer is their style, but there are a ton of other things you should look into when hiring a photographer. Ya girl doesn’t want you getting screwed over, so here are some questions to ask wedding photographers before booking with them!

Let’s face it, the first thing that’s going to draw you to a particular photographer is their style, but there are a ton of other things you should look into when hiring a photographer. Ya girl doesn’t want you getting screwed over, so here are some questions you should always ask before booking.

 

1. Do you have insurance?

When it comes down to it, a professional wedding photographer should have insurance for their business. Also, a good amount of venues require all vendors have proof of insurance, and you don’t want your photographer to show up and be unable to shoot. I’m covered for up to $2 million!

 

2. What’s the delivery time for the final images?

Delivery time for wedding photographers can vary greatly. One of my best friends waited almost six months for her photos without any sneak peeks, so having a quick turnaround time is  one of the most important aspects of my business. I send sneak peeks within 24 hours and wedding galleries within 4-6 weeks!

 

3. How do you back up your photos?

Other than your dress, what else is going to bring back the memories of your wedding day? Photos and videos will be around for decades after the wedding, and if you’re paying good money for a photographer, you should feel confident they have a plan in place to back up your photos right after the wedding. Personally, I have all photos on two memory cards and then save them on two external hard drives!

 

 4. Does your camera have dual card slots?

Along the same vein as the previous point, make sure your photographer is using a camera that has two card slots that allows them to shoot on both an SD and a CF card. I shoot on a Canon 5d mark iv and mark iii and all the photos I take at sessions and weddings are copied on to both of my cards. That way if something goes wrong with one, I always have an immediate backup.

5. Will you be photographing other events on the same day as our wedding?

Definitely not, I block out that entire day regardless of how many hours you hired me for!

6. If our wedding lasts longer than the amount of time we hired you, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?

I always ask you guys if you have any other photos you want me to grab before I head out, so an extra 15 minutes is no problem! If you guys want me to stay an extra hour or more, I’ll just bill you for the extra time after the wedding!

7. Do you work with a second photographer?

I’m a big proponent of helping couples figure out what they need before booking. In most cases, having me as a solo photographer is perfect! I do suggest packages with a second photographer if you have over 150 guests, are getting ready more than walking distance from each other, or just if you want those extra shots and angles throughout the day!

There ya have it. Seven things to ask your photographer before booking them! Let me know if you want more details on any of these!