So today we are talking about finding a wedding photographer. With all the wedding photographers out there (I know in Knoxville alone that are hundreds!) and the photos of your special day being the most lasting element of the wedding I thought it was fitting:) Much like what we talked about yesterday, take the steps of knowing your style and find a couple photographers that you think may fit with you and your style. So, you have some prospective wedding photographers, now what?
Meet with them at best or at least chat with them on the phone or through email. Then ask the two big questions…
- Do I like this person? Do I get along with them and feel comfortable with them?
- Do I like their work? Does it fit my style?
Those are the two big ones to ask yourself…here are some smaller questions to ask your knoxville wedding photographers as well to help you on your way as well to a signed contract. I’m not even going to pretend to be able to surpass the great knowledge and lists of questions already out there so I did some researching for you and wanted to share the most relevant list of questions of what to ask your knoxville wedding photographers. Yes, there are questions like “do you shoot black and white” that you can, and should, ask. But here is a list that I think is a little more relevant to what you need to know in determining who your wedding photographers will be and encompass all those little questions like if you shoot black and white:)
This was taken from here and written by the humorous Jonathan Ryan. Love these guys and makes me wish I was from the UK:) I mean, anyone who spells favours instead of favors is a-ok in my book!
1. Can we see some of your pictures?
OK, nobody is going to choose a wedding photographer without seeing their portfolio (you weren’t, were you?) but notice a key word in that question your pictures. What you want to see is the photographer’s own work where they were the main or only photographer. It’s fine for them to get experience assisting another photographer but there’s a world of difference between pictures taken while a guest at a friend’s wedding or while assisting an experienced pro and their own unaided work.
2. Can we see a whole wedding?
Cherry picking is great and you’ll want to see your photographer’s top work but no single day is going to match their 10 best ever shots. Ask to see a whole day. Either on screen, in print or (best of all) in a sample album just like it would be delivered to you.
3. Will you be our photographer?
This is only really a question for the big studios but it’s worth asking of everybody you meet. It doesn’t matter if they show you an amazing portfolio of their own beautiful work if they are going to send somebody else on the day.
4. How would you describe your approach?
Another obvious one – if you tell a photographer you want a hands off guy who lets everybody do their own thing and capture the moment then it’s pretty likely that will become their specialty. If you say your favourite is a lady who knows how to take control of groups then hey presto, instant expert. Ask them to describe their approach (are they bossy, friendly, invisible?) and see how that matches your expectations.
5. Can you…..?
Everybody’s wedding is different. Everybody has different expectations. If there’s something that’s important to you then don’t be afraid to ask the photographer if they will be able to capture it. And follow up too. “Can you take pictures of our fireworks?”. Sure, no problem. “Great, can I see some examples of your fireworks pictures?”
6. What else do you do?
Plenty of great wedding photographers balance their photography with another full time job. It’s worth asking if they are full time or not though. If they aren’t then you may want to make sure that they aren’t over committed and that your pictures will get the care they deserve. Actually, even if they are full time it’s worth checking a couple of things. A photographer who shoots 100 weddings a year may be great because she’s so popular and in demand. It may also mean he’s overworked and will rush things. A couple of questions should enable you to tell which is which.
7. Do you work on your own or as part of a team?
This one’s tricky. Some photographers prefer to work alone and some prefer to have an assistant, a second photographer and a tea boy in tow. Both approaches are fine (though if you’re planning a quiet intimate affair then you may not want a 6 person team!) – just be careful that they don’t tell you there will be “two photographers” if one of them will be a trainee! And if the photographer favours the large team approach then ask them again “which of these pictures did you take?” and “who will be there on the day?”
8. How long will it be before we see our pictures?
There is little worse than coming back after a two week honeymoon and being told that it will be “another month or two” before you see your pictures. Even a busy photographer should be able to show you the images within 3 weeks of the wedding. If not they may be over committed – either to another job or other clients.
9. What do you do if it rains?
Or snows, or your camera breaks down or a herd of llamas invades the wedding? A professional should have an answer to these (except maybe the llamas). Backup cameras (and lenses), planning for wet weather, extra lights in case the pictures need taken indoors, file backup strategies and dry clothes are just some of the reasons why professional charge so much for their services. And if you meet a photographer who, when you ask “what do you do if it rains?” just smiles and says “I kick ass” then ask to see the album of one of the wettest weddings ever 
.
10. What would you like to eat?
Seriously, I generally shoot for 10 hours and it’s always nice to know whether I’m going to get dinner or bring my own.
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See, I told you that was written far better then I could have ever written it (and more funnier!) For all you Knoxville soon to be brides, hope this helps you in your quest for an awesome wedding photographer. For you photographers, feel free to share this with your brides or blog audience:)
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