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Wedding Advice

January 14, 2016

DC Wedding Planner | Questions to Ask Before you Hire a Photographer

 

Since you’ll be putting so much time and effort into planning your wedding, it makes sense to want to have photos of the people, the moments and the details that made up your beautiful day.  The question is, how do you know which wedding photographer is right for you? Here are some questions you should be asking when choosing a wedding photographer for your big day, as well as tips from some of our faves.

  • How far in advance do I need to book with you?
  • How would you describe your photography style (e.g. traditional, photo journalistic, creative)? NOTE: It’s helpful to know the differences between wedding photography styles so that you can discuss your preferences with your photographer.
  • Do you have a portfolio I can review? Are all of the images yours, and is the work recent?
  • Can I give you a list of specific shots we would like?
  • What information do you need from me before the wedding day?

“Couples should definitely ask to see a full wedding album from a potential wedding photographer. On our websites and social media we show the couples and the detail shots, but at the end of the day there is much more to that. The ceremony shots, the family shots, the dancing shots. And you want to see to make sure your photographer can deal with any situation and what their reception (toasts and dancing photos) look like.” Anna from Red October Photography

  • Are you the photographer who will shoot my wedding? If so, will you have any assistants with you on that day? If not, who will be taking the pictures and can I meet them before my wedding?
  • If my wedding site is out of your area, do you charge a travel fee and what does that cover?
  • Are you photographing other events on the same day as mine?
  • Is it okay if other people take photos while you’re taking photos?
  • If my event lasts longer than expected, will you stay? Is there an additional charge?

“We feel it’s incredibly important for couples to do their research when searching for the right photography team for their wedding day. There are two reasons to hire a wedding photographer… you LOVE them, and you LOVE their work.” Maggie & Betty of Birds of a Feather Photography

Photo Cred: Birds of a Feather Photography

Photo Cred: Birds of a Feather Photography

  • Do you include engagement photos in your packages?
  • How long after the wedding will I get the proofs? Will they be viewable online? On a CD?
  • What is the ordering process?
  • How long after I order my photos/album will I get them?

“Your wedding photographer is there for a large portion of your day. Even though we work hard to be as invisible as possible, we are there for some pretty personal moments. You want to make sure you feel comfortable around them.” Steve & Jane of Photography by Steve & Jane

Photo Cred: Photography by Steve & Jane

Photo Cred: Photography by Steve & Jane

  • How much of a deposit do you require and when is it due? Do you offer a payment plan?
  • What is your refund/cancellation policy?
  • Do you have liability insurance?

Marirosa of Photography by Marirosa puts it best in her own words “Build trust and enjoy the process!”.  At the end of your consult with your potential photographer be sure to ask yourself if you feel comfortable with their work and communication style. Throughout the course of planning your wedding, you will be emailing and having phone calls with them continuously. Did they listen and address any concerns you had? If the answer to these questions are positive ones, then you’re making a good decision. Happy hunting 🙂

Tiffany Rivera is a Wedding Planner & Event Planner serving DC, Maryland, Virginia and beyond!

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