Photography Help

Hi Girls,
I was wondering if anyone had a good list of questions to ask a photographer. We are finally ready to book our wedding photography. Thanks for your help.

Kim

I checked out previous chats on rants/raves about vendors then research them online to see how long they've been on business? checked out the BBB? THen narrowed it down to the top 3-5 vendors and schedule appts.

Once we met with vendors I told them what i was looking for and budget and if they were able to work with my budget and give us what we asked for...our gut instinct kicked in at this point.

Hope this helps...GOOD LUCK!

HTH

Questions to Ask a Prospective Wedding Photographer
Will you personally be the photographer for our wedding?
If the answer is no:
When can we meet the photographer whose work I'm seeing so I can see if I feel comfortable with that person/ see if we
are on the same wavelength?
If you are not talking to the photographer, also ask:
If the photographer we want no longer works for your studio when our wedding comes up, what will you do?
If you are talking to the photographer:
Are you a full-time photographer?
What do you do the rest of the week?
What kind of experience, background, and education do you have?
Have you received any formal classroom training as a photographer?
How long have you been a wedding photographer, and how many weddings have you photographed?
Have you handled events of my type and size before?
What are the reasons you think we should hire you?
Is this your recent work that I'm seeing?
Do you use black and white film when photographing in black and white?
I'm looking for a photojournalistic photographer.
What is your definition of 'photojournalism'?
What are your criteria for choosing what you would photograph at my wedding?
How do you know how many pictures to take?
Who is your most favorite photographer
(not necessarily a wedding photographer)?
Have you ever been published in a photography journal/had a show, etc.?
What makes your photographs better or different than anybody else's?
Why did you choose wedding photography as a career?
What time do you arrive to setup your equipment?
Hours of service:
Do you bring backup equipment with you?
How many people will cover the event?
Do you provide a written contract and guarantee?
What are your policies regarding proofs?
What are your policies regarding negatives?
What are your policies regarding delivery times?
Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
When is the deposit due?
May I make partial payments?
When is the final payment due?
Is gratuity included in the price?
If not, what is the percentage of the service charge?
What percentage are the taxes?
What is the overtime charge?
Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (i.e. travel)
What are the refunds/cancellation terms?
A question to ask yourself: Has the photographer addressed your personal concerns satisfactorily?

That is some list you got there!

I definitely think its a great list-but dont think 1/2 of those questions are necessary. I took that list and edited and added to it

Will you personally be the photographer for our wedding?
If the answer is no:
When can we meet the photographer whose work I'm seeing so I can see if I feel comfortable with that person/ see if we
are on the same wavelength?
If you are not talking to the photographer, also ask:
If the photographer we want no longer works for your studio when our wedding comes up, what will you do?
If you are talking to the photographer:
How long have you been a wedding photographer, and how many weddings have you photographed?
Is this your recent work that I'm seeing?
Do you use black and white film when photographing in black and white?
I'm looking for a photojournalistic photographer.
What is your definition of 'photojournalism'?
What makes your photographs better or different than anybody else's?
What time do you arrive to setup your equipment?
Hours of service:
Do you bring backup equipment with you?
How many people will cover the event?
Do you provide a written contract and guarantee?
What are your policies regarding proofs?
What are your policies regarding negatives?
What are your policies regarding delivery times?
Is a deposit required? If so, how much?
When is the deposit due?
May I make partial payments?
When is the final payment due?
Is gratuity included in the price?
If not, what is the percentage of the service charge?
What percentage are the taxes?
What is the overtime charge?
Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (i.e. travel)
What are the refunds/cancellation terms?
A question to ask yourself: Has the photographer addressed your personal concerns satisfactorily?

Ask how many proofs they can guarantee-a minimum
Ask if balance is due prior to the event-if not how much is paid before
To add to the policy on proofs-find out if they are watermarked? If you receive them on a disc are they printable, hi res images not watermarked?