Meeting photographer - what to ask?

Has he done your venue? If not, will he go before hand to look around? With you?

Ask to look at an example of a wedding he has done.

Will he want feeding?

I can't think of anymore at the moment!

Good idea about the venue - its not on his list on the website and there are particular parts I want photos in

Thanks

I would ask how long they will stay until and if they charge extra for staying longer - I think ours will stay until 8pm and then it's £100 per hour after that.

What style of photo's they prefer to take e.g. posed or reportage

If they offer any extras such as photobooth

Can't think of anymore at the mo but hope you enjoy it and don't feel pressured into anything!

If you feel pressured in the slightest- don't book. A "professional" who applies pressure to secure a booking, isn't someone you want to enter into a contract with & isn't worth your time

Be sure to ask questions such as what happens if he/she is unable to attend on the day of the wedding for whatever reason.

Do they have a plan B, what is it? Make sure it is acceptable to you and not just something like " i'll be there no matter what"

Ensure that they are insured (don't be afraid to ask for evidence of this)

Ask them about how they work on the day and does this reflect what you want from your coverage? Do you get a set number of hours..that kind of thing.

What is included in their package? Are there any additional (hidden) costs such as travel or meals. Do they require a meal as part of their contract? Do they have any other requirements in their contract that you should know about.

Ask them about their equipment and whether they have spares/back up cameras, lenses, batteries, flash etc. Is their backup equipment of the same standard as their usual equipment? (It should be)

It's always good to ask to see a full wedding. Quite often you'll see only a few cherry picked images from each wedding in portfolios or albums, its important to make sure they are consistent throughout the day and across different weddings and shooting conditions.

What are their plans or provisions in the event of rain/snow/bad weather etc.

If payment conditions are something that may be a deal breaker for you, ask them about their terms, when payment is due etc. What happens in the event of cancellation/postponement.

Sorry, I could go on forever

Thank you

Im going to print this out and take it with me ?

Thank you

Im going to print this out and take it with me ?

Thank you

Im going to print this out and take it with me ?

Thank you

Im going to print this out and take it with me ?

Thank you

Im going to print this out and take it with me ?

Certainly don't be pressured in any way. I'd also add, don't book after having seen just one photographer - have a close look at at the work of at least three.

Don't worry about them not having shot at your venue - every good photographer loves shooting at a new venue & should visit it with you before your wedding, just make sure you ask them to.

Definitely check terms for cancellation (by you or them).

Make sure you know exactly what you will get for your money, in terms of time & albums, cd of images etc.

Do they work alone or have a second photographer with them.

Andrew & Vanessa

In all fairness, you could get most of these questions/answers by email prior to the meeting.

Most of these questions are probably more relevant to the lower end photographer in my opinion, but I guess it's better to ask than be disappointed.

They should also be able to send you a link to a full wedding on their site before the meeting, if they don't already post a full or nearly full set on their blog anyway etc.

The meeting is actually a good opportunity to get to know each other and have a good chat about your wedding plans, what you like or any worries you both have etc.

You should already know at this point if you love their work, so what's most important in the meeting in my opinion is how the photographer makes you feel. For instance do you both feel comfortable with him/her. "Interview" scenarios are never comfortable in my opinion, at least I don't enjoy them. And don't forget if the photographer in question produces work of a high standard and is very popular, they may actually be qualifying you just as much as you are qualifying them.

For me personally, I love it when a couple have a good sense of humour, I know right away that I want to shoot their wedding. If there was no connection at all, then we probably wouldn't be a good fit, so it wouldn't be ideal for me to shoot their wedding.

Best of luck.

Wet weather suggestions......what would they do if it pours down on your wedding day?

What if they are ill on the day?

Timescales for proofs and delivery of album.

Is there any photoshopping included in the cost. Whats the price if you want anything above their limit.

If having a disk, check filesize and DPI....and that the images will not be watermarked.