DAYKIN PHOTOGRAPHY

a & h April 9th, 2009

What should I ask when meeting the photographer

• Do you have my date available?
  This is the most important question to ask. We tend to get booked from around a year before the wedding, but sometimes just a few weeks before. Some dates are always more popular than others.
• What’s your style ?
  Once you have seen examples of a photographer’s work you should arrange a consultation meeting to discuss the images you want from your wedding day. By looking at more examples at this meeting you will get a better idea if they are the right photographer for you.
• Reportage or not ?
  Reportage is very much telling the story of the day and is highly popular with many of our clients. You can also have a small number of formal groups added to the list if required. This is what we at Daykin Photography do best. A more traditional approach, if that is your preference, with mostly formal groups and posed shots of the bride and groom, will take a lot more organisation and time which needs to be allowed for in the schedule of the day.
• Will you be the actual photographer on the day ?
  If you are dealing with a studio with a number of staff photographers then ask to meet the actual photographer who will be at your wedding so that you can build the right relationship with them. At Daykin Photography the two of us will always attend your wedding together, except perhaps for a very short midwek event.
• How many weddings will you photograph that weekend ?
  If your wedding is on a Sunday it could well be number three that weekend, and photographer fatigue may affect the quality of your images. If the photographer has told you they are definitely booked for two other weddings, ask if they will have extra help in order to minimise problems.
• Have you photographed a wedding at my chosen venue before ?
  The photographer may have images from a past wedding giving you an idea about possible locations for groups shots and portraits. If they have not worked at your location, look for similar locations in the examples they show you – do not assume that the one who has photographed your location many times will be the best, as sometimes a fresh approach may be needed.
• Are you a full time photographer and how many weddings do you photograph per year ?
  If the photographer is only doing this part time and has another full time job so can only be contacted outside working hours, this may present difficulties for arranging venue visits and meetings. During the busy summer months this could result for them in a backlog of work preparing your final photos and album.
• Do you bring backup equipment with you ?
  It is extremely important that sufficient extra equipment is close to hand in case of breakdown. For example, Daykin Photography always carry several spare cameras, lenses, flashes and so on.
• Do you provide a written contract ?
  This is essential in order to protect both sides of the arrangement. It should be signed by both the client and the photographer.
• How long have you been in business ?
  Obviously, a photographer who has worked in the business for several years and can show you good examples of their work will give you confidence that they will do a good job for you. You will need to be confident that they will still be in business by the time of your wedding and beyond for delivery of your prints or album.
• What can we expect regarding delivery times ?
  Most photographers will supply a gallery of photos to view within three to four weeks of the wedding. Prints and albums will take longer, dependent on how long you take to choose them and so on. Albums, many of which are manufactured outside the UK, can take around three to four months minimum from start of the design to final album in your hands, especially if you are prompt with approval.
• Are there any additional charges ?
  Travel and Hotel fees can be added as extra items especially if the photographer has a long way to travel or needs to arrive especially early or stay especially late. These should be discussed at your consultation meeting and agreed at the time of booking.
• Are you shooting in digital or film ?
  Most photography now is digital due to the speed and flexibility. Shooting with film restricts the number of photographs taken on the day.
• Are you happy to work with the Videographer I have hired ?
  You need to decide which of the two will have precedence on the day, and both need to be introduced to each other and given instruction on your decision. Nothing is worse than seeing the videographer and their camera in all your photographs!
• Can I give you a list of specific shots we want ?
  For formal groups a list is essential so that we do not miss anyone out. You may also have special instructions about something the photographer would not be aware of. When creating these lists try to keep them short unless you wish to spend most of your socialising time standing to attention! It is also a good idea to appoint someone who knows most of the guests to help round up the people on the list.
• Is this your work that I’m seeing and was this an actual wedding ?
  Often inexperienced photographers will attend training courses that provide models and build a portfolio of images whilst taking instruction from a mentor or tutor. If you are shown only these type of images make sure you ask to see a ‘real’ wedding.
• Are you insured ?
  This is a very important thing to ask, as some venues will not allow people to work on their premises without being fully insured. Photographers need to know that they are covered for any eventuality, such as theft or damage of equipment, and to know that it can quickly be replaced.
• How will the photographer be dressed on the day ?
  There seems to be a trend among photographers to dress all in black! At Daykin Photography our approach has always been to dress formally so that we look like as many of your wedding guests do, as we feel this makes us blend in better and not look too distinctive in the guests’ photographs.

• Comments(0)