What questions should I ask...

when I got to my photography/videography appts? The past few weeks I have been doing tons of research. I have started to make appts with some and I was wondering what questions should I ask on my meetings with them? I want to have my list ready before I go on my 1st appt and want to make sure I dont leave an important question out.

TIA!

When will you meet your photographer? Hopefully before the wedding date ideally before you book.
How soon will i get my proofs, albums and videos?? Some places take a longggg time some are quick.
Are they insured?
I know theres more but that what i can think of off the top of the head

Length of coverage! Will they follow you from prep at your home to the end of the party?

Albums: how much, for how many?

Rights to photos: will you be the legal owners of your photos? Will you get the high resolution images on a CD?

How many shooters? And, how many pics will you get per shooter? (One photographer told me we would get the same number of pics to choose from with one shooter or with two... it seems like you shouldn't have to ask about this but yeah... lol)

HTH :)

Thanks ladies

Anyone else???

you asked for it! I have alot... sorry if some are repeated from other posts

photographer's style mainly
do they mainly do weddings?
how many hours are included
how many shots will be taken?
album styles (digital, reversible) & album options
# of pics included in albums?
extra fees- retouching, overtime, travel, colorization/ B&W, extra revisions on album, adding images to album....?
proofs- do you get all proofs? 4x6 loose proofs or hi-res cd? --make sure u have the rights to your proofs, so you can print images on your own
how many photographers/assistants?
what will their attire be (i asked bc i went to a wedding recently and the photographer was in denim jeans!!!)
do they carry back up equipment?
ask if they are familiar with your hall, and if not are they willing to visit before your day?
how long after wedding until u see proofs?
how long after proofs are chosen until wedding album is made?
if you want e-pics- ask about locations, if you get the images, any extra fees with that
if you want portraits- size and how many?
parent albums/photos for bridal party (if you want this)
thank you cards- included? what kind? how many?
deposit &payment plan (try to make sure your lst payment is when you get the ALBUM, not the proofs
if you pay in cash will they absorb the tax for you?

HTH

ETA- will u meet the photographer beforehand?
if you are doing e-pics, will that photographer be ur wedding one?

Omg Kristy thank you! That list is amazing! Im going to print it out and take it with me on my appts. Thanks so much!!!

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Posted by jassy119

Omg Kristy thank you! That list is amazing! Im going to print it out and take it with me on my appts. Thanks so much!!!

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Lol, I'm a little anal... Let us know how it goes, Jasmine! Good luck

Saw this on David Tutera’s Facebook page tonight.
I think it’s a pretty smart way to check out wedding vendors:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLJZwVInJwM

here are my questions:

1) How many years experience do you have as a photographer?
2) What percentage of your business is dedicated to weddings, or how many weddings have you photographed?
3) What is your wedding photography style? (ex – formal or more candid shots?)
4) What types of packages do you offer?
5) What is the cost of the package I am interested in?
6) Do you use proofs? Are they printed proofs or digital proofs?
7) How many proofs will I receive?
8) How long after the wedding will proofs be available to view?
9) How long after we select our photographs from our proofs does it take to receive the final photos?
10) (If applicable) Do you have a professional studio?
11) Can you take studio portraits?
12) Can you re-touch negatives?
13) Can negatives be purchased? If so, how much do they cost?
14) (If negatives can not be purchased) How long do you keep negatives for?
15) How much is a bridal portrait?
16) How much is a formal wedding portrait?
17) What is the cost of a parent album?
18) What is the cost of reprints? (5”x7”, 8”x10”, 11”x14”)
19) Are you the person who will photograph my wedding?
20) Will you have an assistant with you when you photograph my wedding? How many photographers?
21) What is your typical attire when performing wedding photography?
22) What type of equipment do you use?
23) Do you bring back up equipment with you when you photograph weddings? Lighting?
24) Are you familiar with our ceremony and reception location?
25) (If No to above) Do you visit the ceremony and reception sites before the actual wedding date?
26) How is overtime calculated?
27) What is your payment policy?
28) What is your cancellation policy?
29) Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
30) Do you have liability insurance?
31) Can we see samples of your work?
32) Can we have references from recent weddings you have performed?
33) How much does it cost for over time?
34) What are typical locations for pictures before RH?
35) How much do extra Thank You's cost?
36) Are engagement photos part of package? How much? When?

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Posted by chliekm

here are my questions:

1) How many years experience do you have as a photographer?
2) What percentage of your business is dedicated to weddings, or how many weddings have you photographed?
3) What is your wedding photography style? (ex – formal or more candid shots?)
4) What types of packages do you offer?
5) What is the cost of the package I am interested in?
6) Do you use proofs? Are they printed proofs or digital proofs?
7) How many proofs will I receive?
8) How long after the wedding will proofs be available to view?
9) How long after we select our photographs from our proofs does it take to receive the final photos?
10) (If applicable) Do you have a professional studio?
11) Can you take studio portraits?
12) Can you re-touch negatives?
13) Can negatives be purchased? If so, how much do they cost?
14) (If negatives can not be purchased) How long do you keep negatives for?n
15) How much is a bridal portrait?
16) How much is a formal wedding portrait?
17) What is the cost of a parent album?
18) What is the cost of reprints? (5”x7”, 8”x10”, 11”x14”)
19) Are you the person who will photograph my wedding?
20) Will you have an assistant with you when you photograph my wedding? How many photographers?
21) What is your typical attire when performing wedding photography?
22) What type of equipment do you use?
23) Do you bring back up equipment with you when you photograph weddings? Lighting?
24) Are you familiar with our ceremony and reception location?
25) (If No to above) Do you visit the ceremony and reception sites before the actual wedding date?
26) How is overtime calculated?
27) What is your payment policy?
28) What is your cancellation policy?
29) Do you offer a money-back guarantee?
30) Do you have liability insurance?
31) Can we see samples of your work?
32) Can we have references from recent weddings you have performed?
33) How much does it cost for over time?
34) What are typical locations for pictures before RH?
35) How much do extra Thank You's cost?
36) Are engagement photos part of package? How much? When?

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Another great list. Thank you!!

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Posted by lindseynaggle

I always asked what kind of camera they used. What format they shot in (RAW, jpeg). If they have fun extras like Holgas. I guess I'm a photo geek!

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Im completely opposite so I have no idea what all that is lol.. I just know when I save pix on my pc they are usually jpeg format. Thats y I asked this question.

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Posted by jassy119

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Posted by lindseynaggle

I always asked what kind of camera they used. What format they shot in (RAW, jpeg). If they have fun extras like Holgas. I guess I'm a photo geek!

---

Im completely opposite so I have no idea what all that is lol.. I just know when I save pix on my pc they are usually jpeg format. Thats y I asked this question.

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RAW picture files are bigger, they take longer to save but they contain more information that can make post-processing (photoshop) easier. JPEGs can be taken quicker and they take up less room. Most photographers do a mix of both but I would still ask to make sure. My photographer will do the portraits and special moments in RAW and the rest in Jpeg.

Holgas are old cameras from the 70s. They give the pics a fun retro vibe. Its not a necessity and the effect can be done in post too, but again it can add a more dynamic aspect to your shots.

I always asked how old their equipment is. Anything older than six or seven at the max was a red flag for me.

Ask how long they work on post. It should be at least 20 hours.

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Posted by lindseynaggle

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Posted by jassy119

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Posted by lindseynaggle

I always asked what kind of camera they used. What format they shot in (RAW, jpeg). If they have fun extras like Holgas. I guess I'm a photo geek!

---

Im completely opposite so I have no idea what all that is lol.. I just know when I save pix on my pc they are usually jpeg format. Thats y I asked this question.

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RAW picture files are bigger, they take longer to save but they contain more information that can make post-processing (photoshop) easier. JPEGs can be taken quicker and they take up less room. Most photographers do a mix of both but I would still ask to make sure. My photographer will do the portraits and special moments in RAW and the rest in Jpeg.

Holgas are old cameras from the 70s. They give the pics a fun retro vibe. Its not a necessity and the effect can be done in post too, but again it can add a more dynamic aspect to your shots.

I always asked how old their equipment is. Anything older than six or seven at the max was a red flag for me.

Ask how long they work on post. It should be at least 20 hours.

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Wow.. great info. Thanks so much! Ill be printing all this out lol

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Posted by jassy119

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Posted by lindseynaggle

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Posted by jassy119

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Posted by lindseynaggle

I always asked what kind of camera they used. What format they shot in (RAW, jpeg). If they have fun extras like Holgas. I guess I'm a photo geek!

---

Im completely opposite so I have no idea what all that is lol.. I just know when I save pix on my pc they are usually jpeg format. Thats y I asked this question.

---

RAW picture files are bigger, they take longer to save but they contain more information that can make post-processing (photoshop) easier. JPEGs can be taken quicker and they take up less room. Most photographers do a mix of both but I would still ask to make sure. My photographer will do the portraits and special moments in RAW and the rest in Jpeg.

Holgas are old cameras from the 70s. They give the pics a fun retro vibe. Its not a necessity and the effect can be done in post too, but again it can add a more dynamic aspect to your shots.

I always asked how old their equipment is. Anything older than six or seven at the max was a red flag for me.

Ask how long they work on post. It should be at least 20 hours.

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Wow.. great info. Thanks so much! Ill be printing all this out lol

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Anytime, I'm just an amateur, but I love photography

That's a really long list, what are the correct answers supposed to be? What if they're an amazing photographer but the answer to some of those questions isn't what you want it to be? I think you have to be very, very crystal clear on what's included and the terms of the contract but I don't really have to know what it took to get the end result.
If I look at their work and think it's beautiful and really speaks to me, that's all that matters. Personally, that list would just confuse me.