Happy Wedding Wednesday!
Ten Real Questions to ask a Wedding Photographer before Hiring.
This year, every bride and groom who has contact me to Capture their wedding day, had either print off or digital version of an online questionnaire, “What to ask your wedding photographer?” The issue with this questionnaire is that it is written by editors not actual wedding photographers. Few of my favorite questions from this questionnaire that makes little sense to ask.
“How many megapixels is your camera?” Well that all depends on which camera, I always bring two cameras with me to every wedding, so either 20.2 megapixels or 22.3 megapixels. One of my second shooter is a Film Photographer, so her cameras has zero megapixels.
“Do you give the RAW files?” No! If I gave the RAW files, you wouldn’t be able to open or print them.
“Have you ever shot at my venue before?” Sometimes having a photographer familiar with a venue may be able to suggest shots you hadn’t previously thought of. However, in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area, new wedding venues pop up, most professional wedding photographers will go scout your wedding venue before your date. Plus a fresh pair of eyes can {Capture} timeline images.
- Why are you worth the amount you charge?
In a few weeks we will be discussing the wedding budget breakdown; currently, most couples use about 10-12% of their overall wedding budget on a wedding photographer. I would love for a couple to ask me this! Photos by Stephanie is a boutique studio, which means that I only take on a limited number of weddings per year. This is very different to an Assembly Line Studio who takes as many people as possible, and the quality can be lower (not always), and most often come without a personalized experience. Since I take a limited number of weddings, I’m able to give each couple the time, and attention they deserve, plus I also build a relationship with each of my couples, so they are more relaxed in front and the camera and more plausible to show true emotions. Furthermore, all the images are edited in-house by our In House Retoucher before being personal edited by myself. This is why I charge a bit more than the larger studios because of the personal relationship and attention to details.
2. Do you shoot natural light or artificial light? Or both?
Important question alert! This can determine how flexible a photographer is on the day of your wedding. Preferably, you would want a photographer that shoots both natural and artificial lighting. Artificial lighting has a more dramatic look, while the natural light is more smooth and natural looking.
- Do you back up your files online just in case of a fire? Do you have backup equipment?
I believe everyone has heard the statistic that one in every three hard drives fail! This is why I never trust pulling all my wedding files on JUST one hard drive alone. I always back them up online. This is just in case the unthinkable happens, such as fire, someone breaks in, or flooding. You can never be too careful with your wedding photos! Instead of asking your wedding photographers how many megapixels their camera has, ask them if they have backup equipment. It’s essential that the primary photographer has at least two camera bodies on them just in case. Plus does their camera have a dual card slot? Shooting on two cards is important! A card can become corrupt, get lost, or get eaten by a card reader.
- How do you make us feel relaxed in front of the camera?
Feeling relaxed in front of the camera so that you show more genuine emotions in your images. Since I’m a boutique studio, I specialize in {Capture} of Raw Emotions between Soulmates. One way I do this is in all my wedding collections has a complimentary engagement session that not only helps build trust but also show if we will work well together.
- How do you describe your shooting style?
It’s is so important to make sure you have a photographer that is a good fit for your wedding. My style of shooting is the tell the true raw story of the day. This is by taking a photojournalistic approach and remain in the background for the majority of the day, except during posing. By telling a story of your beautiful wedding day by {Capture} of the sky, guests’ reactions during the ceremony, first dance, etc.
- Will you help me with my wedding day timeline?
Absolutely! When a couple books me for their wedding, I sent them, a timeline examples to show differences between time coverage. The last thing you want to do is to be rushed on your wedding day. Plus I can also point our various things that can arise during a wedding day that the couple may not think of thought off. Such as a Receiving Line can take up to 30-40 minutes, or a champagne toast can take 10 minutes. These are all things to think about while planning the timeline for your wedding day. Plus schedule your photos during the best lighting, such as the “golden hour,” even if it’s just for 10 minutes or so.
- What happens if you get sick on my wedding day?
I have been photographing weddings for three years and have never missed on yet. {Knock on Wood} I have it written out in my contract, that my second photographer would become my primary photographer, in a case of emergency. Then I have a network of other photographers who I can reach out to.
- What will we do if it rains or snow?
Knowing what to do it if rains or snows on your wedding day are important. The weather in Texas has been impressive. With 30 days of rain, a random snow day, multi days of over 100 degrees, etc. But you want to make sure your photographer is comfortable with their camera and knowing what to do. They should have a plan as to where they would go, how they would shoot, etc….
- What would you like for dinner?
It is critical to show that you care about your photographer and other wedding vendors. Let’s be honest; your photographer is there longer than anyone else on your wedding day! A florist only comes for part of the day, the band or DJ is only there for maybe 5 hours, but a photographer arrives way before you get your dress on. Now yes, I bring snacks, but I have done several 12-hour weddings where we never got fed, which makes it harder for the photographer.
- What type of rights do I have with my photos? Why should I order my print products thru the photographer?
Digital Rights will allow you to share any pictures on Facebook or Instagram with a watermark.
Printing Rights – please educate yourself on copyright in your wedding photography contract and investigate whether or not you’ll be able to send your photos to Shutterfly instead of paying for them to be printed thru your photographer.
Please reminder when you print thru your wedding photographer, you get the highest quality images from a professional print lab. When printing thru Shutterfly, Walmart, Walgreens, etc. quantity is over quality. Photos by Stephanie personally inspections each image order thru them, before sending it to the client. When printing thru a third-party print company, Photos by Stephanie is no longer responsible for issues with color, sharpness, etc.
If you are currently engaged and looking for a Dallas Fort Worth Photographer, don’t forget to click the contact us button above.