If you missed it last week, I wrote a post about 4 things to do once you get engaged so I thought this week I would piggy-back on that and just keep those helpful bridal topics going! I wrote in that blog about how sad it makes me when I have to turn away brides. It makes my heart hurt, and I don’t like it when my heart hurts. Something else that makes my heart hurt is when I have couples whom I didn’t get the opportunity to work with on their wedding day come to me and say something like “we wish we would have booked you! Our experience was horrible, and our photographer was mean…” or “our photos didn’t turn out as well as we expected,” or heaven forbid “they lost all our photos!” It’s happened. And that makes me sad, so I wanted to give you some tips on just what to ask your photographer.

Whether you are hiring your sister, or your best friend’s aunt, or a seasoned professional, it never hurts to ask these questions. It could even cause you a lot of heartbreak (see above).

Is My Date Available?

This seems like a no brainer, but even I have forgotten this a few times. I got so excited about talking to a bride, setting a meeting up, only to realize AT the meeting that I wasn’t available for her date. This should be the NUMBER 1 question to ask before you even start talking numbers with any photographer. That is, unless you’re open to changing your date. Then don’t worry about it. 😉

Do You Have a Contract?

We are in the 21st century my friend, and everyone seems to be sue-happy. I’m not saying your photographer is going to sue you, that’s not it. Nor is a contract a bad thing. A contract is the perfect (LEGAL) way to make sure you as well as your photographer know what you are getting. If you are paying ANY amount of money for your photography, you need to have a contract to back it up. Simple as that. Even, or especially, if it’s a friend/family member. Even then.

Will You Be Shooting My Wedding or Is It an Associate Photographer?

I don’t have this issue because my photography business is just me, and my designated second shooter for the day, but bigger companies means more than just one shooter. You might meet with one photographer, and love them, but come your wedding day, they send their B-team to shoot your wedding because they were already booked. I know of too many people that this happened to. They pay for the A-team and don’t get what they were expecting. Be sure to ask if your photographer is actually going to be your photographer!

Do You Have a Backup Camera?

This is SO important. Any wedding photographer who doesn’t have a backup camera on the wedding day is asking for something happen. That sounded mean. I think it’s Murphy’s law though. If you aren’t prepared for the worst case scenario, it happens. Your wedding photographer should have a backup of their gear.  One wedding days, i carry two camera’s ON me at least most of the day. If I don’t have the two on me, it’s because I got sick of carrying them both and it’s the reception, and I only need one really for that anyways. My backup is always with me, or in my bag. They should also have professional equipment. There are many entry-level cameras out on the market these days, and though, YES, you can absolutely shoot a wedding with one of them, they don’t offer the quality that you would get from professional gear. Sad, but true. So-professional gear, and a backup.

Do You Have Vendor Recommendations?

This one comes a little later in the conversation. Chances are that your photographer has worked with plenty of other wedding vendors. When you jive well with your photographer, chances are who they jive well with in a business setting are also going to be people that you work well with too. Ask them if they have any vendor recommendations, and then check them out! As a photographer, I love it when I get to work with new vendors, but I also love when my brides ask me for my recommendations! It makes me feel loved.

There’s so many blogs out there that give you “38 questions you HAVE to ask your wedding photographer,” but honestly, that might make us crazy. These are the most important to ask in my book!