There’s no denying that selecting a photographer for your wedding day can be a daunting task. What is our recommendation? Decide on your photographic style for the big day first, and then hunt for professional wedding photographers within your budget. Once you’ve reduced your options down to two or three, use these questions to ask wedding photographers to see if you feel at ease with them.
We can’t emphasise how critical this is—almost as significant as their abilities behind the camera. You’ll be spending your entire wedding day with this individual, and if you’re at ease, you’ll not only have a great time, but they’ll get better shots as well.
What is the secret to discovering wedding vendors you adore? Before you sign the contract, have an interview with them. This is particularly true for a photographer. You’ll be spending practically the whole day with the photographer you choose, so having an in-person or phone interview is a wonderful way to ensure you’ll be delighted to have them around. Do you need a wedding photographer in Melbourne? There is no need to look any further. Vines of the Yarra Valley has created a comprehensive list of wedding photography firms to assist you in making your decision.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to interviewing your prefered wedding photographer? We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your photographer to help you limit down your options for everything you need to know.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to interviewing your prefered wedding photographer? We’ve compiled a list of questions to ask your photographer to help you limit down your options for everything you need to know.
Availability
Is my desired wedding date available?
Will you be the one to photograph my wedding? If not, will I be able to meet the photographer who will be on-site?
How many more weddings are you going to photograph that weekend?
Will you be accompanied by any aides on our wedding day?
Some photographers always work with an assistant, while others decide if they need one depends on the scale of the event. If they do not typically work with an assistant, adding an assistant or second photographer to your contract will almost certainly result in an extra charge.
Background Investigation
How long have you been photographing weddings for? How many weddings have you documented?
Do you frequently photograph weddings of comparable size and style to the one we’re planning?
Can you show us the whole gallery from a couple of your previous weddings?
Have you ever photographed a wedding at our ceremony and reception locations? If not, do you intend to research the media beforehand?
Have you ever collaborated with our event planner? Videographer? Florist? DJ?
Style
What words would you use to characterise your photographic style? To what would you like to relate your work?
What words would you use to define your working style? Do you prefer to blend into the background in order to catch candid moments, or do you prefer to be more prominent and take command in order to choreograph images?
Do you use digital cameras? What about film? Or perhaps both?
Packages and pricing
What does your regular bundle include? What extras are included in the more expensive packages?
Can I tailor a programme to my specific requirements?
Do your packages include engagement photos? What about pre-wedding activities such as rehearsal dinners?
What is the total number of hours included in each package? How much do more hours cost?
Do you provide a photo booth?
Do you provide retouching, colour correction, or other corrective services? Are these included or an extra cost?
Do you charge for travel? How far is that? What does that entail?
Most photographers have a travel radius beyond which they charge a fee. You may be forced to pay for your photographer’s lodging as well if you travel a specific distance.
Albums and prints
- Can we get prints or albums from you directly?
- What kinds of albums do you have? Do you offer aid with image selection and album design?
- Do your products contain albums or photos? What is the number of pages or prints included, and what is the return time?
- How long will it be before we receive the wedding photos? How will they be distributed?
- Will we be able to use the photos?
- Will we be able to obtain the negatives and high-resolution digital photographs? Is there a charge for this?
- Will the photographs be made available online? How long will this last?
- Logistics
- When can we expect to receive the contract?
- How much of a down payment do you require? When will it be due?
- Do you accept instalment payments?
- What is your policy on refunds and cancellations?
- Do you have any kind of liability insurance? Is it also applicable to your assistants?
- Do you keep backup equipment on hand?
- What is your contingency plan if you are unable to photograph my wedding due to unforeseen circumstances?
- What will you and your assistants wear?
- Can we get a list of specific shots we want?
- Will you be sharing information about our wedding on your website and social media? Will you publish our images in magazines or on blogs?
What Style(s) Do You Specialize In?
Essential Questions to Ask Wedding Photographers Before Booking
This is possibly the most important question to ask wedding photographers. Most photographers utilise a combination of different shooting styles, but if portraits are important to you, make sure they shoot them. You wouldn’t commision Monet to paint a Picasso for you. Going with the style, a photographer who enjoys shooting (and has the most experience doing it) will produce the best results.
Will the photographs are retouched and colour corrected? Is that completed before I receive the proofs?
Some photographers will polish all of your shots, while others will show you new proofs and just work on the images you want.
How many weddings have you photographed, and how many do you photograph each year? Also, what is your favourite part of a wedding day and when is the best time to visit?
You only get one chance to capture great wedding photos, so find someone who knows how to get such shots under pressure (read: someone who shoots weddings for a living, not your old college roommate who takes pictures as a hobby). Check out their websites or Instagram pages to see examples of their work as well.
Do you use both digital and film cameras?
Why are you curious? While digital is the most common format today, the film has seen a rebirth. If you prefer the latter, be sure your photographer has the necessary knowledge and skills to execute this time-honoured format. If you’re preoccupied with the film’s dreamy quality, hire a professional in this field. In addition to inquiring how many weddings they’ve photographed in total (see above), tell them how many photos you’d like to be taken using the film.
Do you usually shoot a film in both colour and black & white? What percentage of each do you recommend if you’re going to do both?
Why are you curious? Nowadays, most shooters will use a combination of colour and black & white. By asking what balance they generally use, you can get a sense of their style and how your album might seem.
What Exactly Comes With Your Packages?
Why are you curious? When comparing prices, make sure to look at if prints, albums, and proofs, as well as extras like engagement shoots, are included. They can all have a big impact on the prices. It’s not always a negative thing if, for example, your album isn’t included—you can always produce it yourself or buy it separately—but you want to be sure you’re comparing apples to apples to get the best value. If you want your shooter to utilise film, enquire about film costs and processing fees. Check out our vast collection of Melbourne Wedding Photographers to help you capture those precious moments.
How many coverage hours do we get? What Is the Overtime Rate?
Why are you curious? If you know that over time will cost you a lot of money, you’ll be able to arrange their hours properly. For example, if you have six hours of coverage but your photographer charges a high hourly rate for overtime, you could have them leave after the cake is cut rather than after the last dance. Alternatively, you might choose a more comprehensive package and pay a bit extra up advance (and avoid the more significant hourly overtime rate later).
How Much Is the Deposit and Total Fee?
Why are you curious? In addition to this bottom-line figure, you’ll want to know when it’s due.
Will you be my actual photographer, or will one of your associates do the job?
Don’t assume Bruce of Bruce Photography will take your shots. That isn’t to say Bruce’s partner Frank isn’t good, but you’ll want to meet with him (and look at his images) before making a selection.
Do you have backup photographers who will photograph the wedding if you are unable to?
Why are you curious? If you choose with a company that has a team of photographers on staff, you’ll have a built-in backup. However, if you’re going with a lone shooter, find out if they have backup in case of an emergency.
Will there be a second shooter or any other help? Is there a separate charge for each?
Why you care: Second shooters can cover more ground and provide you with two viewpoints on key moments (for example, one can picture the groom’s face when he first sees his bride, while the other can capture the bride as she goes down the aisle). However, this may come at an additional expense.
How long do we have to wait to get the photos after the wedding?
Why are you curious? You’ll want to see the images as soon as possible, and the wait can be excruciating (it can take months!). However, if you plan ahead of time, you can limit your (and your mother’s) expectations.
How Will You Work With My Photographer? How Do You See Us Collaborating?
This duo will need to coordinate and stay out of each other’s way, which will be easy if they get along well. If you haven’t yet chosen a videographer, ask them for a recommendation.
How many weddings do you perform on weekends?
Why are you curious? If your photographer is shooting an afternoon wedding before yours, you’ll need to make a plan for what to do if the first event runs late.
Have you already shot at my wedding location(s)?
Your shooter should be aware of any lighting requirements or space-specific concerns. If they have never worked in your venue before, they should be willing to inspect it beforehand.
Will You Stick to a Shot List? or Would You Prefer Free Reign to Capture the Festivities? How Do You See It?
Why are you curious? Most photographers will appreciate a (small) shot list to ensure you obtain the photos you desire. But don’t bombard them with hundreds of requests—if you hire a competent pro, you’re employing them for their eye as well as their experience crafting fantastic albums, so let them do their thing.
What kind of paper will you use if you provide print albums?
The response should be an acid-free, archival-quality paper that will last a lifetime.
What Are the Restrictions for Sharing Photos Online or Publishing Them? Do you have the rights to the images?
If you’re a Facebook or Instagram addict, not being able to share some of your wedding images online may be torture—best it’s to be aware of this ahead of time.
Do you plan on bringing any lighting?
Why are you curious? Not only will you want to know if you’ll need to offer extra lighting (either by hiring a lighting designer or having the venue provide it), but you’ll also want to make sure the equipment they bring isn’t too large or intrusive.
What Are You Going to Wear?
Why are you curious? By discussing their wedding day attire, your photographer will be able to prepare to match the style of your wedding. Most people will be content to fit in with their surroundings (for instance, wearing black for an evening loft event or lighter hues for a daytime garden party).
Can We See the Entire Wedding Gallery?
We believe this is the most crucial question you can ask since after you see the entire portfolio, you’ll know exactly what to expect from your images and if they’re a good fit for you! If candid moments are important to you, for example, make sure you pick a photographer whose portfolios have a lot of photographs of laughter, happy tears, and enjoyable moments from the wedding day. Many photographers with beautifully curated Instagram accounts have mediocre total wedding galleries. If you do not request entire albums ahead of time, you may be quite disappointed with your photographs.
Can you describe your posing technique?
Rather than asking about their posing style, which you can see on their website, enquire about their posing procedure. This open-ended question will help you determine how much posing and direction they provide, as well as whether or not it sounds like a suitable fit for you. If they say they leave a lot of the legwork up to the couple, but you know you prefer a lot of direction, move on to a photographer who says they give a lot of direction.
Do You Sell Albums?
Assume you enjoy holding physical images in your hands and can’t wait to have a beautiful photo album filled with your wedding photos. In that case, unlike places like Ozphotovideo Studio you might be shocked to hear that not every photographer in Sydney includes albums, so if they’re important to you, make sure to ask photographers whether they do. If this is the case, you can ask to see a sample album and cover material alternatives. That way, you’ll know exactly what kind of album you’ll get for your wedding!
Which Vendors Would You Recommend?
Planners aren’t the only suppliers who can provide excellent hiring recommendations. Photographers can spend hours looking at images and determining how wonderful someone’s work is. Photographers are aware of these minor aspects and will be able to provide you with fantastic recommendations for vendors whose work photos well. As a result, even if you already have a planner, it’s worth seeking their opinion!
How Can We Assist You?
As a firm believer in clients working with their photographers, you can enquire about how you can assist your photographer in creating beautiful photos throughout your wedding day. Having a room with lovely light and neutral coloured walls for your getting ready shots, for example, provides for stunning images. Your photographer will go above and above to get the perfect portrait of your mother assisting you into the dress, free of distracting background objects. Having a clean open location with plenty of natural light will save your photographer time arranging the shot (moving furniture, relocating distracting things, etc.) and allow them to focus on capturing memorable moments of you and your loved ones. Putting on your wedding gown is such an important time, and as photographers, we want to make sure it is recorded in the greatest way possible.
What do you want to know about us?
You don’t have to ask this question if the photographer has already asked a lot of questions about the two of you, but it’s something to think about. This demonstrates that they are interested in who you are and want to have a wonderful relationship with you.
It is critical that your photographer is as interested in you as you are in them so that your personalities compliment each other and you feel at ease with them on your wedding day. On the wedding day, you’ll be spending eight or more hours with them, and having a wonderful relationship will make it so much more comfortable! Vines of the Yarra Valley has prepared an exclusive selection of Melbourne Wedding Photographers to assist you in capturing your special day.
How do We confirm the booking with you?
This may appear to be an easy task, but knowing what it takes to acquire a photographer for your date is critical. You’ll want to hire them as soon as possible, especially if you’re in love with them. At the end of your phone contact, enquire as to what they require from you (i.e. signed contract and retainer) in order to finish the booking process.
