Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer
Your wedding day will be one of the most spectacular days of your life, one you'll want to cherish forever. Preserving those memories is easy when you have the right photographer to capture those special moments. Today's blog from your favorite bridal salon in South Florida offers a few questions you'll want to ask a wedding photographer before hiring them.
Photography is a broad term, and many photographers specialize in different types of photography. You want to make sure to hire someone that has plenty of experience with weddings. Weddings are a lot more complicated to shoot than your standard head shots or real estate photographs. Weddings are fast-paced, and you want to trust that you have a photographer that can capture all the details that make your wedding special, like the look on the mother of the brides face, the groom's first look at his bride and the excitement of the guests at the reception.
While you obviously want to preview some of their previous work, you'll also want to talk to past clients. Not only are amazing shots a must for your big day, but you want a photographer that works well under pressure and communicates with you. Ask people about their experience interacting with the photographer during their wedding and reception. Then meet the photographer and any assistants in person yourself before hiring them as well.
Having a second photographer at your wedding allows for more coverage. You are then able to get two perspectives on the same moment. For example, during the first kiss you not only want to get the bride and groom, but also the look on parents' faces. Some photographers will include this in their package, while others will charge extra to have a second person on site. Make sure you have all the details.
In addition to the total package price, you'll want to know how much the deposit is and when it's due. This is particularly important so you can secure a photographer and not worry about them being swept away by another bride that's getting married the same day as you. You'll also want to ask when the final balance is due.
Most photographers will have a set rate for a certain number of hours. You'll want to know how many hours are included, and what their overtime rate is, before you hire them. It's difficult to know upfront how late your reception will go, and you don't want to end up with a surprise bill at the end. In addition to coverage time, you'll want to know how many photos you will get, if any of them will be retouched, etc. Does the price include an album or is that extra? Some photographers will even throw in an engagement shoot. Make sure you know what all is included that way you can accurately price compare different photographers.
Larger photography companies have multiple, equally talented photographers. In the event a photographer becomes ill on the day of your wedding, someone else is able to step in. If you're going with a solo photographer, make sure you know what their backup plan is if for some reason they are unable to make it the day of. Do they have a colleague they can call in case of an emergency?
Depending on how much retouching your photographer does, and how many other weddings they have to shoot around the same time as yours, it could take months to get your wedding photos. Be sure to ask upfront how long it's expected to take to get your photos so that you can manage your expectations, as well as those of your family.
We hope these questions will help you in determining who the best photographer for your special day would be. To find your perfect dress for those amazing wedding photographs, visit the South Florida's best bridal shop! Located in Royal Palm Beach, Bridal Couture of the Palm Beaches offers a variety of wedding gown styles to fit the needs of any bride-to-be. Give us a call at 561-793-4633 to schedule an appointment today!
1. How Many Weddings Have You Shot?
Photography is a broad term, and many photographers specialize in different types of photography. You want to make sure to hire someone that has plenty of experience with weddings. Weddings are a lot more complicated to shoot than your standard head shots or real estate photographs. Weddings are fast-paced, and you want to trust that you have a photographer that can capture all the details that make your wedding special, like the look on the mother of the brides face, the groom's first look at his bride and the excitement of the guests at the reception.
2. Can You Provide a Portfolio and References?
While you obviously want to preview some of their previous work, you'll also want to talk to past clients. Not only are amazing shots a must for your big day, but you want a photographer that works well under pressure and communicates with you. Ask people about their experience interacting with the photographer during their wedding and reception. Then meet the photographer and any assistants in person yourself before hiring them as well.
3. Do You Have an Assistant?
Having a second photographer at your wedding allows for more coverage. You are then able to get two perspectives on the same moment. For example, during the first kiss you not only want to get the bride and groom, but also the look on parents' faces. Some photographers will include this in their package, while others will charge extra to have a second person on site. Make sure you have all the details.
4. How Does the Deposit Work?
In addition to the total package price, you'll want to know how much the deposit is and when it's due. This is particularly important so you can secure a photographer and not worry about them being swept away by another bride that's getting married the same day as you. You'll also want to ask when the final balance is due.
5. What is Included in Your Packages?
Most photographers will have a set rate for a certain number of hours. You'll want to know how many hours are included, and what their overtime rate is, before you hire them. It's difficult to know upfront how late your reception will go, and you don't want to end up with a surprise bill at the end. In addition to coverage time, you'll want to know how many photos you will get, if any of them will be retouched, etc. Does the price include an album or is that extra? Some photographers will even throw in an engagement shoot. Make sure you know what all is included that way you can accurately price compare different photographers.
6. What Happens If You Become Sick?
Larger photography companies have multiple, equally talented photographers. In the event a photographer becomes ill on the day of your wedding, someone else is able to step in. If you're going with a solo photographer, make sure you know what their backup plan is if for some reason they are unable to make it the day of. Do they have a colleague they can call in case of an emergency?
7. How Long After the Wedding Do We Wait to See the Photos?
Depending on how much retouching your photographer does, and how many other weddings they have to shoot around the same time as yours, it could take months to get your wedding photos. Be sure to ask upfront how long it's expected to take to get your photos so that you can manage your expectations, as well as those of your family.
We hope these questions will help you in determining who the best photographer for your special day would be. To find your perfect dress for those amazing wedding photographs, visit the South Florida's best bridal shop! Located in Royal Palm Beach, Bridal Couture of the Palm Beaches offers a variety of wedding gown styles to fit the needs of any bride-to-be. Give us a call at 561-793-4633 to schedule an appointment today!
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10233 Okeechobee Blvd - Suite B4
561-793-4633
Visit our website at www.BridalCouturePalmBeach.com
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