meeting with Photographer

Questions to ask

Things to make sure you have in your contract:
1) Who your photographer will be
2) whether they will bring an assistanthow many photographers will be there
3) How many hours they will be with you
4) What time they will come to you
5) How MANY proofs they guarentee(it should read something like a MINIMUM of XXX amount of proofs). Be wary if they won't guarantee a specific number - everyone we saw said minimum of X amount but you could get as many as Y amount. Just make sure you have a minimum in there. You would hate to go in thinking you are getting 500 proofs then to only get 300.
6) Whether you get your proofs to keep - do they come in an album or box.
7) Your payment schedule
8) how much money is due at each payment
9) whether they will travel with you IF you leave the temple for photos for any reason
10) Many companies give a free engagement shoot -if they do:a) when it has to be done by b) WHO will shoot them c) WHERE you can take them (some places will let you go to a park others make you take them in their studio (this is a great opportunity IF it is with your photographer to get to know them as a practice shoot and get comfortable with poses and being in front of the camera
11) HOW you can pay for your photographs. (some places will NOT let you pay anything other than deposit on the credit card - some places it is ALL check or cash no credit cards at all). Many wedding vendors only take cash or check. - try to avoid those as you will have no recourse other than court if something happens rather than dispute with credit card company.
12) If you get your negatives (if using film) will you get your negatives.A) if no - are they available for purchase - if so at what point
13) if digital - do you get a cd of all your photos in addition to your proofs.
14) What kind of album will you get? (slip in or what type)
15) How many photos will you get in the album - a) is it number of photos or pages of photosb) how many per page do you get - (some places say 50 pages but it is ONLY one PER page)c) what size can you get in the album
16) What lose photos are included (make sure you include enough for family, friends, or yourself - so think about what you might want for your home etc before you sign your contract - photos after the wedding go up steeply in price and it is NOT the price that they were when you booked but the price they are when you want to order them)
17) What kind of photography - will is be film or digital
18) If you are doing this - How many thanks yous are included or you are paying fora) what TYPE of thank you that you will receive (slip in, photo printed on card
19) Percentage of black and white - etc - like 20% black and white 80% color - or 50-50% whatever you both are looking for.
20) IF there are touch ups included make sure that is in your contract - many places won't throw this in as it is your problem to pay unless the photographer screwed up the photo and something needs to be removed.
21) Some contracts will specify that you have to feed them and how many you have to feed - some don't - but you should feed them anyway - even if it is not the hall food but sandwiches etc since they are with you all day long.
22) what will they be wearing

Ask them of you will also have a photographer for candid shots. Most of my friends had a candid photographer at their wedding, and the pictures were gorgeous.