10 Questions You're Too Embarassed to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

 

 

Wedding photography is a lot of work and for that reason, I don't photograph my close friends' weddings.  I'd much rather enjoy a day of love, laughter and booze than run around like a crazy lady with a camera in front of my face the entire time. Of course, I take engagement photos, design invitations and programs and most importantly, I can give my friends the answers to their questions that they are afraid to ask their wedding photographers.  Whether they feel silly asking or they are afraid to offend their photographer, I've been asked the following questions by more than one person!

 

1. Do I really need to take engagement photos?  What do I use them for?
A lot of photographers included an engagement session with their photography package. This benefits both you and the photographer.  You can get a feel for the photographers style and personality while the photographer gets to know you and your personality.  On your wedding day, your photographer will be by your side for most of the day.  It's important to get to know them before the big day so you are comfortable with them and they are with you.  Of course, you can always meet with your photographer for coffee and to see if you click before you make your decision to hire them, because liking your photographer is just as important as liking their work.

So now you've got these engagement photos of you and your beloved gazing into each others eyeballs... what the heck do you do with them?  

- Display them at your wedding shower
- Print them on your Save the Date cards and wedding programs
- Use them on your wedding website
- Engagement announcement in the newspaper
- Use them in your guestbook. (I think it's a great idea to add prompts to your guestbook to encourage your guests to write special messages and advice instead of just signing their name.)

2. Do I feed the photographer at my wedding?  Should I assign them a seat?
Would you work like a dog for 8+ hours and not take a quick break to eat?  No way. Remember that your photographer is constantly running in circles around you and not taking any breaks so that they can capture all your special and magical moments. Definitely feed them!  Besides, no one wants their picture taken while they are eating, so your photographer will have some down time.  Assign your photographer to a table.  If you don't want to give them a place card or put them on your seating chart, that is okay - but just make sure you remember to tell them that there is a seat for them at Table 15. If you have several vendors, such as photographers, DJs, and videographers, you can reserve a table for them.  Don't make your photographer wander around waiting for everyone else to start eating to scope out the available chair. They'll want to get back to business quickly, so make dinner easy on them. 

3. How will the photographer know who I want formal photographs taken of?
That's easy - just tell your photographer. I tell my clients to provide me a list of any family groups they want photos of.  It is not uncommon for the couple to have divorced parents and sometimes that can get awkward for everyone when the photographer doesn't know.  This way, I can consult my list and call out the names of everyone the bride wants in the shot.  If you don't give me a shot list, that's okay too - I just call out the basic configurations (parents/grandparents/siblings) and then ask the bride along the way if there is anything else she wants. If you have any must-have group shots, definitely make a list - this way you don't forget.  You have a million things running through your mind during your wedding.



4. Is it rude to show the photographer examples of pictures I want taken?
Absolutely not. The photographer probably has a style of their own that you've already checked out before you booked them - but it doesn't hurt to show them photographs that you have seen that you liked.  This will help them get a feel for your style.  Of course, don't think that just because you show your photographer a photo of a couple romping through a corn field at sunset that you will get that photo at your wedding day.  Unless of course, you are getting married in a corn field at sunset.

5. Can't I just have my uncle/cousin/neighbor take the photos?
If you know someone with wedding photography experience who OFFERS to take photos at your wedding, absolutely. As a rule, if this is a person who you would want at your wedding (even if they didn't have a nice camera) I would think twice about having them photograph your wedding. The reason you have a wedding reception is to celebrate your marriage with your friends and family.  The photographer doesn't get to celebrate the same way as a regular guest.  Of course, I wouldn't tell a family member to not bring their camera to your wedding - the more pictures the better - but I would hire someone else for your primary photographer.  (Also - this relative/friend is probably your best resource at finding a great photographer. Ask them for their opinion or a referral when picking a photographer.)



6. When should the photographer start?  When do they leave?
Some of my clients have asked me to come early in the morning to be part of the entire "getting ready" process on the day of the wedding.  I find that most of the photos I take during this time will go unused by the client.  Let's face it, do you really want a photo of yourself in a baggy button-up shirt before your make-up is on?  I recommend to my friends to have their photographer meet them when they have about 30 minutes left at their "getting ready" location. This way, I can photograph the final touches to the hair and make-up and putting on the dress, jewelry and shoes.  I also will take some photos of the bride and bridesmaids hanging out and having a little fun.  Then I leave and head to the ceremony location to get a few photos of the groom and groomsmen as they pin on their boutonnieres and seat guests.

As the guests arrive and as dinner ends, I walk around taking photos of couples and guests mingling.  You will want your wedding photographer to stay at your reception until all important traditions are done. This includes the cake cutting, first dances, garter/bouquet toss and any other special customs or traditions you are planning on doing at your reception.  Soon after the first dances, the DJ usually plays a popular slow song and a good dance song to try to get everyone of all ages on the dance floor.  By this point, I've photographed most everyone at their tables and everyone who is dancing.   From here on out, your friends and family should do a good job of capturing anything fun that happens.  I suggest to my friends that they schedule their photographer to stay for 2 hours after dinner.

7. Is an expensive photographer better than an inexpensive photographer?
The price range of wedding photography is very dramatic. You can find a wedding photographer for $500 or $5000.  Regardless of your budget, you should be able to find a photographer who does good work that you genuinely like as a person.  Generally speaking, an excellent photographer with 30 years of fulltime experience is going to charge a heck of a lot more than a newcomer who is turning their hobby into extra income.  They both might take gorgeous pictures, but one may come with a much  higher price tag than the other.  With the internet, we have the ability to look at the work of many photographers without having to leave your house (or even talk to them). On a photographer's website they are usually going to post their best work from their most beautiful weddings.  If you aren't impressed, move along.  If you are, you can ask a photographer to show you more samples of their work.  I recommend asking them if you can view an entire wedding.  This way you see what they capture throughout the entire day.

8. Should I order prints or digital images from the photographer?  What about an album? 
I suggest you purchase your digital images from the photographer with a shared copyright release.  This means the photos are yours to print as you wish for your personal use.  But note, a photo printed at a drug store will not be the same quality as photo printed at a professional processing lab.  The printers at the drug store aren't calibrated or maintained as well. The drug store photo doesn't look awful but it sure as heck doesn't look as beautiful as a professionally printed photo.  That being said, I suggest you order any large photos that are you displaying your home from your photographer and print the smaller photos yourself.

Most people are familiar with photo books that take only minutes to create online.  These are cute and fun when filled with your personal photos and I suggest you take advantage of the great discounts and coupons you can find online.  However, a professionally made wedding album is timeless and beautiful.  When you meet with your photographer, ask to see a sample wedding album.  Once you see an album in person, you will understand why they cost so much more than a DIY photo book. My recommendation: purchase your wedding album from your photographer and create your own photo books for your parents or using other fun photos from your wedding that didn't make the album.



9. How many photos do you take at a wedding?  Do I get them all?
I snap approximately 100 pictures per hour.  Sometimes more.  Sometimes less.  Often when doing formal family group photos, I take several shots of each group in case anyone has their eyes closed or looks away.  (Which  happens often.  There is a lot of commotion at a wedding and its hard to get everyone's attention at the same time.  Especially groomsmen who have had a few drinks already...)  When all is said and done, I usually give my clients about half of the photos I've taken... which is still usually over 500 photos.

10. What happens if your equipment fails?
This is a great question to ask your photographer.  A well prepared photographer carries back-up equipment.  I bring two cameras, several lenses and flashes as well as extra batteries, chargers and memory cards with me.  Ask the photographer that you are planning to hire this question.  If a photographer doesn't carry extra equipment, you may need to think twice about hiring them.

Bonus Question! What does the photographer wear to the wedding?
Surprisingly, I get asked this question a lot.  I can't speak for all photographers, but I usually wear all black.  Depending on whether I anticipate being warm or cold, I wear either a simple dress or dress pants and a sweater. The goal is to blend in.  I'm going to be capturing all the action and I don't want anyone's attention to be on me.