Photographer Questions

welshbigman_2

Well looks like we've sorted a photographer (recommended by a friend)
We're due to meet him on Friday and we're just wondering about questions we should be asking him
One of the main ones is copyright on photos

What else can people think of??

Kara_P

We are in the same situation.

We asked:

- To see a couple of full wedding shoots... just to make sure they could take good pictures throughout the day in different light conditions etc.
- How much an extra bit of time would be
- How much editing is done and what kind of photo editing it was
- Was it OK to give them a list of "must have" photos

If there is anything else I will let you know! Congrats!!

ellay864

One of our main questions was how our photographer was with other guests taking photos, having been a guest at a wedding where the photographer was really obstructive. We made sure that in our case while he would get in first on key photos such as at signing the register and cutting the cake, to get his shots in before everybody else's flash went off, he'd then be ok with everybody else getting in to take the shots. We gave him a list of the key formal shots we wanted and he worked with his partner to whizz through those quite quickly so we could then do the less formal shots.
In our case we spent the better part of 2 hours wandering round the zoo with him and we took him to certain locations we liked, even a couple he wasn't aware of.
We'd made sure we'd seen lots of full weddings, not just a few choice portfolio shots for his website.
Ask him how he copes with conditions such as poor light, bad weather. Does he have an assistant to help him with equipment, lens changes etc? And most importantly make sure you like him. We made sure we felt comfy with him - you have to spend a lot of time with the person you choose and if you don't get on with them it will show in the pictures if you're not totally relaxed.
Also ask how long it will take to get the photos. If it's very quick then that may be cause for concern over effort put into editing. We know ours will take 3-4 weeks (it's driving me crazy waiting for them!!!) but some people have had horror stories over delays.
When you ask about copyright make sure you know exactly what you can do with the photos. Ours will allow us to do what we want privately, so I can put them on FB or show them here (and am dying to do so!). But if anybody wants to use them in any professional capacity (as Linda who made my dress may do) he asks that permission is sought and he gets creditation. There's a difference between full copyright and licence so just make sure you stay on the right side of whatever you get. Hope it goes well for you

stir_crazy

I would definitely make sure that I saw his portfolio, our photographer also does portraits and landscape photos so we got a good all round idea of his work. Would also recommend asking for a portrait session before the wedding so you can see how well he works with you - at least on your wedding day there will be no surprises. As well as that you can see how your wedding pics will turn out.

Jewelleryfan

Hi
We asked our photographer -
If we have the copy right to all the photos so we can share on Facebook and print our own photos
If he has experience working outside in different weathers and arranging shots depending on lighting and background (at my friends wedding their photographer took a photo with a sign behind her advertising £9 pub lunches lol)
What happens if they are ill and can't make it
Do they carry back up equipment if something fails
Do they work alone or with an assistant
If your having an album or photobook do they edit it and make it themselves or do you have an input into the way it is set out and colours, patterns etc
How long will it take to see the photos then how long til you get the finished disc or album
Ask to see albums and examples of their work
Speak to them about certain photos you want and if they will do group shots etc
Find out exactly what your package covers - bridal prep, first dance etc and any cut off times they have
If they have insurance
What happens if they go bankrupt in the mean time before wedding - do you loose your deposit etc

This might just be me worrying too much but I like to ask lots of questions so I know exactly what I'm getting lol

Dekazer

There are some helpful pointers on another thread I started that you might find helpful too.. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3560695

welshbigman_2

Thanks everyone