Kiki
07-12-2006, 06:17 PM
Questions to ask photographer
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Will he personally be taking the photographs of your wedding?
If not, ask to meet the person who will be.
Will he personally be taking the photographs of your wedding?
If not, ask to meet the person who will be.
Does he work with an assistant and will he have back-up equipment in the event of a problem?
Is he familiar with your ceremony and reception location?
Can you give him a list of special people with whom you want pictures?
How many hours does his price include?
What's the charge, if any, if the reception should last longer than planned?
Will he stay through the cake cutting and garters.html" target="_blank">garter toss?
How much time will you need to allow for the formal wedding photos taken either before or after the ceremony?
What are the photo package prices?
What are the individual picture prices?
What about parents' albums?
When will the proof pictures be ready?
How long will the prints take, once they have been ordered?
Will he sell the album or negatives?
How many years does he keep the negatives?
What does he normally wear when photographing a wedding?
Will he wear a tuxedo or other specified attire?
Ask if he's a member of Wedding Photographers International.
(Membership usually reflects a high level of professional competence and ethics.)
1. What's the photographer's primary style -- traditional, candid, or posed? (Go for someone whose forte is your favorite style.)
2. What's the photographer's philosophy about shooting weddings? (This question will give you an idea of the shutterbug's expertise and passion for his work.)
3. Does the photographer shoot in color, black and white, or both?
4. How independent is the photographer? Does she prefer that you describe exactly what you want, or would she rather have free rein to capture the festivities on film? (This point determines how you two will work together.)
5. Will the photographer you talk with be the one who actually takes your wedding pictures? (This is crucial! Each photographer's style is unique.)
6. Has the photographer shot many weddings? (Experts say a wedding neophyte is a risk. You want someone who's experienced with wedding mechanics and won't miss key moments.)
7. How many weddings will the photographer shoot on your wedding weekend (or even on your wedding day)?
8. Is the photographer open to a list of must-take photos (pictures you definitely want shot)?
9. How does the photographer determine price? By the number and kind of prints you think you'll want, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of the above factors? How many rolls of film will be shot, and how many proofs and final prints will result? Are packages available? Can you get a price list?
10. What kinds of cameras does the photographer use? (This will acquaint you with the photographer's experience and knowledge.)
11. What kind of lighting and other equipment (such as tripods) does the photographer use? Does the photographer bring backup equipment in case of emergency?
12. Does the photographer develop his own film? How long does he keep negatives? Can you buy your negatives from the photographer?
13. Ask yourself: Does this seem like a person you could tolerate throughout your wedding day? You'll want to feel very comfortable around your photographer. Rapport is important with all wedding professionals, but it's crucial here!
14. Carefully examine each photographer's past work (the book). Be sure you're looking at work shot by this particular photographer, not by other professionals who work at the same studio.
15. Notice whether:
photos are framed and centered well
photos are over- or underexposed
lighting is effective
details are visible
people look comfortable and relaxed
16. Call references and ask:
Were you satisfied overall?
Did the photographer get the shots you wanted?
Has the photographer responded promptly to orders?
You've found a photographer and asked all the right questions. Your last assignment? To guarantee picture-perfect wedding photos and avoid miscommunication, request a written contract. Here are the critical points to review -- and get in writing:
Name and contact information for you and your photographer
Correct date(s), exact number of hours, starting time(s), and locations (rehearsal dinner, home, ceremony, reception) where the photographer will be expected to shoot, with exact addresses
Name of the photographer who will shoot your wedding and the number of assistants
Number and kind(s) of cameras to be used
Number of rolls of film to be shot (color and black and white), type of film, and cost per additional roll (if needed)
Number of proofs you'll receive, and complete package details
Date your proofs will be ready and how long you can keep them
When and how you'll receive your order (albums, prints) once you place it, and any other delivery details
Length of time the photographer will keep your negatives
Total cost (itemized if possible)
Overtime fee, if applicable
Reorder price, if you decide to order additional prints later
Deposit amount due
Balance and date due
Cancellation and refund policy
Name of an acceptable substitute in case of emergency
In the event of equipment failure, a guarantee that a backup camera will be on hand
Photographer's signature
ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO CLARIFY
Style of photography, such as formal portraits, documentary-style, candid, combination, straight shooting, unconventional composition, and formats.
Subjects to be covered, such as pre-wedding preparations, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Give your photographer a must-take shot list to eliminate any confusion.
SIGNING THE DOTTED LINE
Once you've made sure that all bases are covered and all information is correct, sign the contract.
Make a copy of the document for your files so that you can consult the contract as your wedding day approaches.
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Will he personally be taking the photographs of your wedding?
If not, ask to meet the person who will be.
Will he personally be taking the photographs of your wedding?
If not, ask to meet the person who will be.
Does he work with an assistant and will he have back-up equipment in the event of a problem?
Is he familiar with your ceremony and reception location?
Can you give him a list of special people with whom you want pictures?
How many hours does his price include?
What's the charge, if any, if the reception should last longer than planned?
Will he stay through the cake cutting and garters.html" target="_blank">garter toss?
How much time will you need to allow for the formal wedding photos taken either before or after the ceremony?
What are the photo package prices?
What are the individual picture prices?
What about parents' albums?
When will the proof pictures be ready?
How long will the prints take, once they have been ordered?
Will he sell the album or negatives?
How many years does he keep the negatives?
What does he normally wear when photographing a wedding?
Will he wear a tuxedo or other specified attire?
Ask if he's a member of Wedding Photographers International.
(Membership usually reflects a high level of professional competence and ethics.)
1. What's the photographer's primary style -- traditional, candid, or posed? (Go for someone whose forte is your favorite style.)
2. What's the photographer's philosophy about shooting weddings? (This question will give you an idea of the shutterbug's expertise and passion for his work.)
3. Does the photographer shoot in color, black and white, or both?
4. How independent is the photographer? Does she prefer that you describe exactly what you want, or would she rather have free rein to capture the festivities on film? (This point determines how you two will work together.)
5. Will the photographer you talk with be the one who actually takes your wedding pictures? (This is crucial! Each photographer's style is unique.)
6. Has the photographer shot many weddings? (Experts say a wedding neophyte is a risk. You want someone who's experienced with wedding mechanics and won't miss key moments.)
7. How many weddings will the photographer shoot on your wedding weekend (or even on your wedding day)?
8. Is the photographer open to a list of must-take photos (pictures you definitely want shot)?
9. How does the photographer determine price? By the number and kind of prints you think you'll want, the hours the photographer spends on your wedding, the developing time, or a combination of the above factors? How many rolls of film will be shot, and how many proofs and final prints will result? Are packages available? Can you get a price list?
10. What kinds of cameras does the photographer use? (This will acquaint you with the photographer's experience and knowledge.)
11. What kind of lighting and other equipment (such as tripods) does the photographer use? Does the photographer bring backup equipment in case of emergency?
12. Does the photographer develop his own film? How long does he keep negatives? Can you buy your negatives from the photographer?
13. Ask yourself: Does this seem like a person you could tolerate throughout your wedding day? You'll want to feel very comfortable around your photographer. Rapport is important with all wedding professionals, but it's crucial here!
14. Carefully examine each photographer's past work (the book). Be sure you're looking at work shot by this particular photographer, not by other professionals who work at the same studio.
15. Notice whether:
photos are framed and centered well
photos are over- or underexposed
lighting is effective
details are visible
people look comfortable and relaxed
16. Call references and ask:
Were you satisfied overall?
Did the photographer get the shots you wanted?
Has the photographer responded promptly to orders?
You've found a photographer and asked all the right questions. Your last assignment? To guarantee picture-perfect wedding photos and avoid miscommunication, request a written contract. Here are the critical points to review -- and get in writing:
Name and contact information for you and your photographer
Correct date(s), exact number of hours, starting time(s), and locations (rehearsal dinner, home, ceremony, reception) where the photographer will be expected to shoot, with exact addresses
Name of the photographer who will shoot your wedding and the number of assistants
Number and kind(s) of cameras to be used
Number of rolls of film to be shot (color and black and white), type of film, and cost per additional roll (if needed)
Number of proofs you'll receive, and complete package details
Date your proofs will be ready and how long you can keep them
When and how you'll receive your order (albums, prints) once you place it, and any other delivery details
Length of time the photographer will keep your negatives
Total cost (itemized if possible)
Overtime fee, if applicable
Reorder price, if you decide to order additional prints later
Deposit amount due
Balance and date due
Cancellation and refund policy
Name of an acceptable substitute in case of emergency
In the event of equipment failure, a guarantee that a backup camera will be on hand
Photographer's signature
ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO CLARIFY
Style of photography, such as formal portraits, documentary-style, candid, combination, straight shooting, unconventional composition, and formats.
Subjects to be covered, such as pre-wedding preparations, ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Give your photographer a must-take shot list to eliminate any confusion.
SIGNING THE DOTTED LINE
Once you've made sure that all bases are covered and all information is correct, sign the contract.
Make a copy of the document for your files so that you can consult the contract as your wedding day approaches.