What to ask a Wedding Photographer before you sign a contract
Researching and assembling your wedding vendors or wedding squad (as I like to say) can be an absolutely daunting start to wedding planning. You’ve never planned a wedding before and likely have never hired these type of vendors before so what the heck do you need to know besides price? What ACTUALLY matters? ALOT!
I have been an Oregon wedding photographer for several years and I have had the absolute pleasure of working with a ton of fantastic pros. I have also worked with some real duds who just don't have it together and even though it isn’t my wedding, I really care about your day and how you will remember it so I have compiled a huge list of important questions to ask a wedding photographer when you chat with them and of course this blog post includes all my answers to these important questions. Besides these questions and the given answers, you will want to make sure you really hit it off with your wedding vendors and don’t have any second thoughts about whether or not they will rock your day and be a friend of yours!!!
How far in advance do we need to book?
I recommend booking your photographer about 1 year in advance in order to make sure your date is secure. Summer Saturdays get booked the fastest in our area and then Sundays and then Fridays. Fall in the PNW is also a very popular wedding season (can we say GORGEOUS!?!). But sometimes I get cancellations or a date just doesn’t get booked so reach out and ask, I would love to hear what your date is.
Have you ever shot at our wedding venue?
This is a great question to ask BUT if the photographer you are asking has not shot at the venue, you can ask if they are familiar with it as well. There are just so many venues out there so even if a photographer hasn’t shot a wedding at your venue, it is very likely they have shot a wedding at a similar venue and would be able to provide sample work. When hiring a professional photographer they should have the experience to handle any lighting or space.
Do you offer different packages?
As of right now I offer a micro wedding or full wedding option they are all inclusive. So if you’re having something really small and it will be less than four hours, we can talk about that price but my full day wedding coverage is up to 8 hours of wedding day coverage and includes an engagement session and my digital Photo Booth. Long story short, I prefer not being a salesman on my consultation calls and instead would like to focus on what you’re wanting for your wedding day photos and how I can make it come to life for you. When you hire me for your full wedding, you’ve got me and if you need more than 8 hours it’s just $200/hr extra to account for the time but also the additional photos taken and edited etc.
Have you had broad experience working with a variety of people?
My past employment included 11 years in the Army as a human resource specialist … I have definitely worked with a broad range of people in stressful and non-stressful situations which comes in really handy on a wedding day!
How long have you been working as a professional photographer?
I have been a full-time professional wedding photographer for the last 7 years and was a side-hustle photographer while I was in the Army for about 8 additional years.
How would you describe your photography style?
My style very much focuses on being in the moment. I love to watch people, be a fly on the wall and capture the candid moments of you going through your day but also the reactions and emotions of your guests. It has a journalistic feel to some and I primarily use a shallow depth of field which can create a stunning drama to your candids and most definitely those gorgeous formal portraits.
How flexible is your style?
I can be flexible in getting more or less posed photos and I am always down to see what your vision is and will always be transparent with you. The important part is that we communicate with each other so all expectations are out int he open.
Do you have a portfolio we can review?
My blog is my primary portfolio. If you are interested in seeing a complete and delivered gallery, I will share one that is of a like venue/location so you can get the best feel.
Are all of the images yours, and is the work recent?
My blogged content goes back 4 years with the most recent being the most current. 98% of those images are mine with the exception being a few shots from a second photographer.
What type of equipment do you use?
I use 2 pro camera bodies: Soney A7iii. Each camera has dual SD card slots which I use one as a primary card and the other is used as a backup (because technology is wack sometimes, can’t be too safe). I also have multiple lighting sources from an on-camera flash to off camera flash (OCF), which I use at any given time depends on the lighting of the event space or portraits area.
Are you shooting in digital or film format or both?
Digital
Can we give you a list of specific shots we would like?
I alway ask for a list of family groupings that are important to you and would look at a list if you had other shots you would absolutely love to have but I do ask anyone who hires me to TRUST me and let me be the artist. Looking and checking off a list all day can really take me out of my creative headspace.
If our wedding site is out of your area, do you charge a travel fee and what does that cover?
I do not charge a travel fee for venues within a 100 mile radius or 2 hour radius of Salem, Oregon but beyond that I do because I will need to make overnight accommodations. I keep it really fair, please reach out and let me know your location!
Will you be photographing other events on the same day as our wedding?
Absolutely not. When a wedding is booked I block out that entire day regardless of if you hired me for 5,7,9+ hours.
If our event lasts longer than expected, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?
I don’t like nickel & dimming clients. If you need to to grab a couple photos of the exit and it is pushed back a few minutes of course I will stay and grab that. But if you need an additional hour to make sure you get it all, I charge $200 per additional hour needed. It is great to make sure your wedding planner (hopefully you have one) is aware of your needs, let them know if things go past the timeline what you would like so they can handle that situation seamlessly without interrupting you.
How much would it cost for an additional hour?
$200
Do you work with a second shooter?
I do when requested but I primarily work solo. I do have incredible peers in the industry so I won’t hesitate to hire a second photographer if you request or I will advise you if I feel your event would benefit from it. Most of the time, with weddings within the 100-150 guests, no first look and a flexible ceremony location is easily managed by 1 photographer. When the wedding gets larger, or the wedding party is getting ready in separate locations and there is a first look or cramped ceremony space (some churches do not allow photographers in certain spaces or to move around during the ceremony) I would likely suggest a second photographer which is $75per hour for approximately 3-4 hours.
Who owns the copyright of the photographs?
I own the copyright of the images as I am the artist who you hired for my work. I do however give you the print release so you can print those images from your online gallery or from any vendor of your choosing whenever you would like.
How many photos will we receive from our wedding?
I do not limit the number of edited images but this can depend of how many guests you have, how many hours I am hired and what all you have scheduled to be photographed. Things that can make a big difference: 4 person wedding party vs. 10+ person wedding party, 75 guests vs. 150 guests, cocktail hour or not, are you doing the first dance, the cake cutting, games, toasts, formal exit etc. but with all that said, for a 6 hour wedding I average about 400 photos, 8 hour wedding 700 photos and 9+ hours around 900 photos.
What is the delivery time for the final images?
All galleries are delivered in 4-6 weeks. But I do a 24 hour sneak peek gallery so you have an awesome set of photos to hold you over and stare at or blast on social media!
What is your social media policy?
For myself, I like to post images from the weddings I work to my IG, Facebook and website. If there are any images from your sneak peek gallery you DO NOT want posted, I will honor that. If you are super private and don’t want to be on any social media, I will also honor that (sad cause I will LOVE your images but I respect your privacy as well!). As for you sharing images on social media, GO FOR IT!!! I would love to be mentioned or tagged (client referrals are huge for small business) but I will not come after you if you don’t, haha.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
I take a $1000 (but can be flexible) deposit at booking and the remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the wedding in which if the wedding were to be called off or date changed that late, I would require compensation of 50% of the package total. I am not likely able to re-book your date and that is not only lost income for my family but I have already put in a great deal of work for your day between meetings, photo calls, email communication with yourself and other vendors as well.
What happens if you are ill, or there is an emergency?
This is an incredible question because I am a human … I have yet to miss a wedding and I take extra precautions in my vitamins and personal care to make sure I am always at my best and avoid illness. However, if I were too ill, or I had an emergency come up I have an incredible network of photographers not just in Oregon but around the United States that I can pull from in order to make sure stress is not added to your plate. Any photographer I would bring on wound be in line with my style and I would still edit your images. I can not plan for an act of God however.
Do you have liability insurance?
Yes, I am fully insured tp to $2 million
Can we customize a package based on our needs?
Yes Yes Yes … this is why the discovery call is so important. Reach out and we can chat about what you are thinking & wanting!
Do you include engagement photos in your packages?
I donor my full wedding day package! I love doing engagement photos for my clients because it allows us the time to work TOGETHER before the wedding day and establish a better relationship so things don’t get awkward on the wedding day, lol. It also allows me to figure out things you may not want photographed or discover your “side preference” if you have one etc.
What type of album designs do you offer?
I offer a high quality heirloom album with Leather, Linen or Suede cover options (plenty of color options available)! I like to make things as simple as possible for my clients. When you receive you full gallery I will as that you “favorite” at least 20 images that you MUST have in your album (and tell me if there are any you DO NOT want in your album). Then I design the album based on the numb er of spreads you purchased and will send it to you for review.
Do you provide any assistance in creating an album?
I take care of the full process!
Do you provide retouching, color adjustment or other corrective services?
yes
Will the images be viewable online?
Yes, your full gallery will be delivered in an online password protected gallery where you can share with anyone! You can also customize what others can see in your gallery (you don’t have to let them see EVERYTHING!)
What is the ordering process?
Too easy! Your online gallery also has a phenomenal print lab attached to it so you can order prints, canvas, metal wall art and more directly from your gallery from my preferred vendor. These labs are selected to ensure the best quality in material, color and service!
How long after we order our photos/album will we get them?
Prints are generally delivered within a week but albums can take a couple weeks to a couple of months depending on the season (they get pretty busy), size and material you order.
Will you give us the RAW digital images, and is there a fee for that?
I have no issue providing ALLLLLL the images from your day but yes, I do charge $250 because I still have to reformat them to jpeg. Back them up and deliver them to your gallery (time … it takes more time).