I’ll cut right to the chase: some say the wedding industry has lost the plot lately. With the boom (and hopefully soon, the burst) of AI, tik tok/instagram trends, and false reporting from The Knot/other large platforms, there’s — understandably — a lot of confusion for those planning their weddings. I can’t solve all the problems, but as for some wedding photography questions, I may know a thing or two. Let’s get into it.
Important Wedding Photography Questions
There are some things you can ask that will allow you to paint a more clear picture of who you’re hiring. They’re a bit more “abstract” than asking a straight-up “how long have you been doing this” type of question. Some of the most important questions to ask your future wedding photographer are:
- Why do you like to photograph weddings?
- What’s your favorite part of a wedding to shoot?
- What makes you unique in the way you work?
My answers? I’m so glad you asked.
- I love photographing people. What better place to do so than at a wedding? There is constantly something happening — even if it’s a more lax day — everyone is dolled up & ready for the camera, and we are likely at a beautiful location. I show up to a wedding day not really as a wedding photographer, but just…a photographer.
- I don’t have one specific moment, but I have a specific type of moment. Any time when the couple is interacting with each other, and definitely not focused on my camera. This is when the real magic happens and allows me to get photos like this:
3. My favorite way to work, especially during couples’ portraits, is to give you prompts that encourage you to interact with each other instead of me. For example, I’ll place you where I need you for a portrait, then I’ll ask you what you did on your first date. Before you know it, you’re off in nostalgia-land, blissfully unaware I’ve taken about 30 photos of you being adorable.
Questions to Help Narrow Down Your Photographer Selection
There are likely thousands of wedding photographers in the NYC metro area. It’s a very small pond with a LOT of fish; it can seem very overwhelming trying to make wedding vendor choices. I promise there is a perfect vendor team out there for you, you just have to know the right questions to ask. Here are some logistic-related wedding photography questions to help you learn more about who you’re inquiring with:
- What most influences your wedding photography style?
- What is your editing process like?
- Do you work with a second photographer?
- How do you feel about moodboards/inspo pics? (Important to ask “how do you feel” instead of “can we send”)
Pricing Related Wedding Photography Questions
Wedding photographers, especially if they own their own company or studio, set their own pricing. There are standards throughout the industry, but there are no “rules” to adhere to, really. When I first started photographing weddings, I charged significantly less than I do now. I think I made $400 at the first one I shot. As you and your business grow, you gain experience. With experience comes a sharper, more selective eye, a better client experience, and likely, more expensive equipment. Here are some questions that will help break down pricing of wedding photography:
- What goes into your pricing?
- Do you shoot with both digital and film?
- Do you travel? Is there an additional fee?
- If we pay online, is there a CC fee?
- Is there a base package or is everything custom?
- How long have you been photographing weddings?
General Wedding Photography Questions
There are some final questions you can ask during your wedding photography search; for lack of a better term, they’re no-brainer questions. Important, but objective questions, unrelated to the type of wedding photographer you’ll want to hire. Some general, no-brainer, duuhhhh wedding photography questions:
- Do you have insurance?
- How long until we receive our final gallery?
- What happens if your equipment malfunctions? Do you have a backup system?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Do you offer *insert xyz service*
- What is the payment process?
- What happens if you get sick?
DO NOT ASK!
In the wedding community, there are some questions we get asked all the time. It’s understandable why these questions would be asked, but I’m telling you: there are more important things to ask. Here are some q’s that are…kind of useless (I’m so sorry):
- Have you shot at (insert venue) before?
- What kind of equipment do you use?
- Can you make me look (insert descriptor)?
- Can we get the RAW files?
- Can we send specific shots we want taken?
Wanna know my answers to all of these? Contact me and let’s chat. <3