There are many lists online of questions that you should ask your photographer. “Do you have backup gear, do you have a contract, what happens if you’re sick?” are all legitimate questions that should be asked. But I want to dive a little deeper into some lesser known questions that you absolutely need to ask.
First, let’s talk about narrowing down your choices before any meetings. Two things will help you narrow your search in which photographers to contact and set up a face-to-face meeting. Do a little research. Look at their website and ask yourself, does their style fit the vision for your wedding? If their style is not in line with what you’d like, go on to the next photographer. This is critical, because although you can collaborate with your photographer on what photos you’d like, it’s incredibly hard for us to just “change our style” based on what you’d like. So be sure you love the photographer’s work! Second, is the photographer in your budget? Here in Nashville, wedding photographers range in cost from $2,000-$10,000 with the average being around $3500-$4500. Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting in your package, so there are no surprises or hidden costs after your wedding day.
1) “Do you have liability insurance, and can I see a copy of it?” There are many things that can go wrong on your wedding day. Equipment can get stolen, memory cards can corrupt or be erased, or your photographer could be late or absent on your day. Obviously, those of us who consider ourselves full time, professional photographers cringe at these stories… and most of us would never let these things happen. But watch Judge Judy for a few hours, and you will quickly realize that it happens a lot more than you know. Many photographers mistakenly think that homeowner’s or another type of policy will cover these things (which they won’t), so be sure you actually SEE proof of their dedicated liability policy.
3) “In case of inclement weather, do you bring studio strobes and lighting? Can I see an example of some of your artificially lit photos?” Many photographers today consider themselves to be “natural light photographers”. While I love natural light as much as the next girl, this type of photography can come with bad consequences if, (God forbid) you have inclement weather. Many natural light photographers do not know how to use studio strobes. Be sure to ask your photographer for samples where they used studio strobes, and if they can’t provide samples, steer clear.
These are just a few questions that can help you avoid some major catastrophes on your day! We hope it helps making a decision. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks!
Thanks!
Krista
Krista Lee Photography
Nashville, Tennessee Wedding Photographer / Chicago Wedding Photographer
www.kristaleephotography.com
