Q's for Tog

Have a list of what shots you really really really want. That helps us more than anything.

Though here are some we've been asked and I intend asking

How long have you been in business? How many weddings have you shot? Have you done many that were similar to mine in size and style? How would you describe your photography style (e.g. traditional, photojournalistic, creative)? NOTE: It’s helpful to know the differences between wedding photography styles so that you can discuss your preferences with your photographer. For descriptions of the various styles, click here. How would you describe your working style? NOTE: The answer should help you determine whether this is a photographer who blends into the background and shoots what unfolds naturally, or creates a more visible presence by taking charge and choreographing shots. What do you think distinguishes your work from that of other photographers? Do you have a portfolio I can review? Are all of the images yours, and is the work recent? Always ask to see a full wedding of one couple rather than many weddings How soon can I expect to see proofs and album? Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like? What about an “instant” slideshow of the ceremony? What information do I need to provide you before the wedding day? Have you ever worked with my florist? DJ? Coordinator, etc.? NOTE: Some vendors have great working relationships that help things go smoothly. It’s especially helpful if your videographer and photographer work well together. May I have a list of references? NOTE: The photographer should not hesitate to provide this. what happens if you are ill on the day?

I'm sure there will be a few HIB TOGs around shortly. But I would ask:

Have they shot at your venue before?

Can you see a complete wedding (not just the edited pics)?

What is their contingency plan if something unexpected happens? (camera breaks, ill on the day etc)

What style of photography do they prefer to use - formal posed shots/relaxed reportage style?

When will you receive edited photos?

That's about all I can think of at the moment!

Ask if they expect to be fed, I havent had this problem but my wedding corridinator said that quite often they put it in there contract that they expect a meal and so and so drinks etc but never really bring it up with the bride and groom till after deposits have been paid!

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Hi,

The most important thing is that you love their work - so what you've said above does ring alarm bells for me. You've said their work isn't your favourite, but the photography is all you'll have in 30 years time to look back and remember your day, so if you're not 100% sold on their style I'd really keep looking.

Have you looked at a full wedding on their website? When you meet with them make sure you see all the photos that a couple have been given, this will give you a better idea of what you'll get than a selection of images in a portfolio as this will be their best work and is usually just the best few shots from each wedding.

Hope that helps a bit, I don't mean to be negative in my first paragraph, but it's important to choose the right photographers ?

Ali

Great stuff, thanks!!!!

As for shots we really, really want, we just don't know! We're less than a month in to planning so I guess we've not got our heads in to the finished article of the wedding yet. I must give it some thought.

Regarding not super-lovin' their work, there's not many I *have* loved, and the few I have were expensive enough that I wouldn't be looking to book them. I do like the pictures, I've trawled right through their site and many weddings and some other events. I do take the point though, and will bear it in mind when we look through together.

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Ah ok if the others are well out of budget then it makes sense ? The prices do range dramatically and you have to weigh everything up when making a decision. It's also really important that you get on well with them, the last thing you want is someone getting on your nerves during the day ?

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Because obviously, that is the groom's job.

Hahahaha!!

Everything is pretty much covered here. Most important things are you LOVE their work and you get on with them. They are with you all day.

If you are still looking then also look further a field. Many will travel x

You know a lot of these threads come up, and often but nobody ever asks 'what to look out for'?

(caveat, I mention myself a few times not to promote, but as a yardstick to compare)

There are lots of pitfalls and a huge level of variance between togs. I recently met a couple at a wedding who charge roughly the same as me but include a graphi album.....but only deliver 60 images. I deliver a minimum of 400 but no album.

I deliver mine in both colour and then again in black and white, another tog I know charges £1000 more than me and delivers a mixture but not both, so one image will be in colour, another few along with be black and white....you want it in colour...you might have to pay.

The biggest place where people fall down is what they actually get, what high resolution means, high resolution is not the same as full resolution, is there a minimum number of images, is there a maximum, proof of insurance, is the second tog a tog or your girlfriend, or both. Is there a time limit to their attendance, what do they classify as all day. Will the images I get have your logo across them?

I do special edits on my photos, for a price, so I make it clear that some of the images on my site are special edits and cost extra. Some togs don't and their websites lead couples to believe that what they see online is what they will get.

Also these things go for other suppliers. I had a wedding this year where the DJ had a photo booth of all things, free as part of the disco. Yet he then charged the couple for the images, free booth, sure, but you have to pay for the images. Yet they could of had my second shooter all day with a booth in the evening for an extra £350 with the photos included.

Or, you see your lovely table decorations / venue ruined by other suppliers cards or pop up banners (seen this with a few bands). Other suppliers, canvassing at your wedding? Don't think so.

Loving their work and personality is a good sign, but it won't stop you getting screwed on the technical details later on.

Hi, as already stated by others prices to vary a lot, I would really do your homework and find some where you really like their work, I am sure you will find someone you like for the right price, I think you may regret going with someone that you are not that keen on. Put a post on here or other wedding sites and get some feedback, that's what I did. I recently met up with one guy and i really thought he would be ok but for some reason I didn't warm to him and then had second thoughts, I am really glad I didn't pay that deposit. I am now meeting with someone else on Monday. I will definatley be askkng some of the questions posted on here they are very useful.

Not sure if you can PM on this site but I have a list of photographers that people recommened to me so I could send them over to you? ?

Chris, thanks for posting, much appreciated. Interestingly it was browsing your work (which I loved!) which convinced me I couldn't stay in denial wrt not needing a photographer any longer!!!

Suestew, I'm in SE Kent, if you're not too many miles from me that list would be marvellous, thank you!!

You've seen the work on their website, Just go with your first impressions when you meet them - do they seem pleasant & trustworthy.

To me, all the things about insurance, back up gear, back up photographers etc, etc should be taken as a given, ask, if youre not happy/confident with the answer walk away.

Don't dismiss a photographer because they haven't shot at your venue - we all like to shoot at new venues - if it's a great venue you might get offered a good deal?

if you are confident in the photographer (when you meet them) & confident that the work you've been shown is theirs, then you only need to give them a list of group shots that you want. Let them get on with photographing your wedding in their own way ( that is, after all the way you where attracted to on their website & in their albums).

Good luck,

Andrew

I'm so glad I posted!! I took 90 minutes out today and did more research, I have 2 more appointments set up and 2 more possibles, and not THAT much more than I was looking to pay. My issue is my budget was tog-less (I know, I know, my error) and so now I'm restricted.

I feel more confident now about the chances of finding the right one, and I'll revisit this thread once I'm off hols and going to meet them. The input is much appreciated.

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That is great news!

First you have to love the work. Then you have to want what they are offering. Be really clear about what you want, and what is being offered

Then you need to take a step back and look at the work again.. How many brides are shown, from how many weddings? Good experienced photographers will be swimming in good wedding photographs, so will be able to show lots of depth in their work. Inexperienced photographers often show a lot of "guests" and details" to pad the lack of real weddings covered

Don't be pulled in with the girlie or baby card - a lot of inexperienced photographers use on their websites - this one goes something like this: "I'm sweet, my baby is cute, I love my family, I am in love with photography, and specialise in Vintage... " - this is a marketing ploy used generally to mask inexperience, and to connect with you (as a woman) in a way that to be frank is irrelevant. What you really want is a good solid professional (man or woman), who is going to last the day, and put in a hard days work for you, 100% focussed on you, without worrying about their baby, their family or anything else

Simple things like doing a WHOIS on the website may tell you how long they have been trading

Generally, you pay for experience, and experience shows in the work, and how they handle themselves on the day

Hi Kentish Gal, i will send them over by email, I am in London but I would say most do travel.

Hi Kentish Gal, i will send them over by email, I am in London but I would say most do travel.

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That's a lovely thing to hear on a Monday morning, thank you x

Also Kentish Girl, remember you can haggle! If you prefer one TOG over another but they are say £300 more expensive you can mention this and they may take it all off/meet you half way etc.. We haggled a bit with ours (terryfying!) but we ended up with a great deal!

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To balance this comment, which I don't totally disagree with, is to say that over the years I have known very many weekend photographers who are very very good and simply branding them as part time and therefore substandard, does them an injustice. Many are better than some full time pros. The issue is finding photographers that are good.......full time or part time....and finding the right photographer that delivers the style of photography that you want for your wedding.......FWIW, I do other photography and image creation outside of weddings......I believe that this gives me a different perspective on wedding coverages as I can bring other experiences and techniques to your day...

as bill says though, don't underestimate the importance of good photography....it's the one thing apart from your rings and oh that matters after the day will last a lifetime......on your 25th anniversary, can you show your children the cake, starter, main course, dessert, cake, car, flowers, family, favours????...ok, you can, yet only through the photography....