What questions should be asked of...

I'm ramping up to meet with photographers soon, and I know basically what I want to ask them, but I'm not sure if I'm missing anything.

Can you girls give me some ideas about what questions to ask? I'd also be interested to hear from those who are already married in the category of 'I wish I had asked...'

TIA!

Remember to negotiate!

A few I found online....

1. Will you personally be the photographer for our wedding?

2. 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?

3. 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?

4. If you are talking to the photographer:

Are you a full-time photographer?

5. What do you do the rest of the week?

6. What kind of experience, background, and education do you have?

7. Have you received any formal classroom training as a photographer?

8. How long have you been a wedding photographer, and how many weddings have you photographed?

9. Have you handled events of my type and size before?

10. What are the reasons you think we should hire you?

11. Is this your recent work that I'm seeing?

12. Do you use black and white film when photographing in black and white?

13. I'm looking for a photojournalistic photographer. What is your definition of 'photojournalism'?

14. What are your criteria for choosing what you would photograph at my wedding?

15. How do you know how many pictures to take?

16. Who is your most favorite photographer (not necessarily a wedding photographer)?

17. Have you ever been published in a photography journal/had a show, etc.?

18. What makes your photographs better or different than anybody else's?

19. Why did you choose wedding photography as a career?

20. What time do you arrive to setup your equipment?

21. Hours of service:

22. Do you bring backup equipment with you?

23. How many people will cover the event?

24. Do you provide a written contract and guarantee?

25. What are your policies regarding proofs?

26. What are your policies regarding negatives?

27. What are your policies regarding delivery times?

28. Is a deposit required? If so, how much?

29. When is the deposit due?

30. May I make partial payments?

31. When is the final payment due?

32. Is gratuity included in the price?

33. If not, what is the percentage of the service charge?

34. What percentage are the taxes?

35. What is the overtime charge?

36. Are there any additional charges not mentioned? (i.e. travel)

37. What are the refunds/cancellation terms?

These are from This thread

1. What's the photographer's primary style -- traditional, candid, or posed? (Go for someone whose forte is your favorite style.)

2. What's the photographer's philosophy about shooting weddings? (This question will give you an idea of the shutterbug's expertise and passion for his work.)

3. Does the photographer shoot in color, black and white, or both?

4. How independent is the photographer? Does she prefer that you describe exactly what you want, or would she rather have free rein to capture the festivities on film? (This point determines how you two will work together.)

5. Will the photographer you talk with be the one who actually takes your wedding pictures? (This is crucial! Each photographer's style is unique.)

6. Has the photographer shot many weddings? (Experts say a wedding neophyte is a risk. You want someone who's experienced with wedding mechanics and won't miss key moments.) What percentage of their business is weddings?


7. How many weddings will the photographer shoot on your wedding weekend (or even on your wedding day)?

8. Is the photographer open to a list of must-take photos (pictures you definitely want shot)?

9. How does the photographer determine price? By the number and kind of prints you think you'll want, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of the above factors? How many rolls of film will be shot, and how many proofs and final prints will result? Are packages available? Can you get a price list?

10. What kinds of cameras does the photographer use? (This will acquaint you with the photographer's experience and knowledge.)

11. What kind of lighting and other equipment (such as tripods) does the photographer use? Does the photographer bring backup equipment in case of emergency?

12. Does the photographer develop his own film? How long does he keep negatives? Can you buy your negatives from the photographer?

13. Ask yourself: Does this seem like a person you could tolerate throughout your wedding day? You'll want to feel very comfortable around your photographer. Rapport is important with all wedding professionals, but it's crucial here!

14. Carefully examine each photographer's past work (the book). Be sure you're looking at work shot by this particular photographer, not by other professionals who work at the same studio.

15. Notice whether:
photos are framed and centered well
photos are over- or underexposed
lighting is effective
details are visible
people look comfortable and relaxed

16. Call references and ask:
Were you satisfied overall?
Did the photographer get the shots you wanted?
Has the photographer responded promptly to orders?


If parent albums are important to you, aks if those are included, ask whether or not you get the negatives, how may pics are in the albums, what sizes, how much for ordering extra photos - what size are the proofs and
does the photog stamp his name on the proofs- my photo shot over 800 photos and all my proofs were 4x6 so I kept all of them and they are regular size to give out, frame or keep myself. GOOD LUCK!!

Make sure that the person you meet with is the person that will be taking your pictures.

Ask to see albums for their work- that way you can get a sense of their style.

Can you get the negetives? and/or a CD of all the pictures?

HTH