I know these articles are written to help couples with planning their wedding and there are some genuinely good questions in there but I can help but wonder sometimes if they've ever spoken to any wedding photographer (or any other vendor) ever when it comes to some of them!
SO HERE, ACCORDING TO HITCHED, ARE 32+ THINGS TO ASK YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
The Basics
1. Do You Have My Date Available?
Well yes you're right, this one is pretty obvious, of course you'd want to know if they're still available! So yes, it is a good starting point, I'll give you that one Hitched! I get more enquiries than you'd think asking "I'm getting married in XX NEXT YEAR, are you available, can you send me prices?" this happens especially on Instagram and Facebook rather than filling in the contact form on my website, so please just make sure you let us know the exact date and. you enquire I'll be able to tell you if I am available.
2. How Long Have You Been A Wedding Photographer?
Fair enough this question, you'd want to know how experienced they are, they might have only shot a handful of weddings and they're just starting out. Some will use photographs taken on training days to come across as more experienced than they are, weddings are very different in the real world compared to the controlled environment of a classroom. Ask to see some full galleries from a selection of weddings they've photographed, not just staged shoots with models who know exactly how to pose and with perfect lighting. Weddings aren't like that in reality!
3. How Many Weddings Do You Shoot a Year?
Another good question, I'd be interested in finding out what answer couples would like to hear, what's the sweet spot? There's a couple of ways to look at this, I'm not saying everyone does this by the way but sure there's photographers that are happy to shoot 100+ weddings a year and is simply going through the motions churning them out and getting the photos to couples as soon as they can. It could be someone that has another job and only shoots 10 weddings, loves what they're doing, taking their time individually and painstakingly editing every single photo. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer for this one, after the last couple of covid years, this has been a particularly busy year and I've photographed a lot more than I would normally, that said I haven't put any less effort into any of them than I would do normally, for me I try to aim at around the 25 mark a year. Not sure what hitched are thinking with this one.
4. Can I See Some Full Wedding Albums? Are All the Images Yours? How Recent Are They?
A genuinely good question this one, as I touched on earlier it can be tempting to use photographs taken on training days, photographers want to show off their best work, of course they do. Anything you see of their work online, wether it's their website, Instagram, Facebook wherever, they're absolutely going to show off their best work and favourite photos, it's going to be their "best of"! I do it myself, but I'm more than happy to let anyone enquiring to have a look at at least 5 or 6 of ANY of my full wedding galleries. I want you to see exactly what you can expect from your wedding photographs on your day and how your gallery will look afterwards so I've got absolutely no problem showing full galleries to anyone that wants to see them.
5. Have You Worked at Our Venue Before? If Not, Will You Visit Beforehand?
There's a couple of ways to look at this one and honestly in reality neither of them really make any difference, it's not relevant! If I've not shot there before, then great it's new, it's exciting, refreshing, potentially challenging, it's an opportunity to be creative but I do know what I'm doing and if I have shot their before, it can be an advantage that I already know the layout, where to go for photos, especially if it's raining on the day and I'll already have an idea of what works there and what doesn't. So either way it's a win-win! Will I visit beforehand? Honestly, in all likelihood no. I mean, I will if that's really what you'd like to do and if I'm free on say, your final meeting at the venue before the big day but I've photographed venues as far away as Gretna Green and Wales, so it's not always realistic or practical to. What I will do though is have a look on for example, Google images and I'll look at various wedding blogs, the venue will no doubt have a website with images on there showing their best bits (see above!), there's Google Maps, Earth and Street View so I'll look on there and see what's about, AND what I will do on the wedding day is aim to get there earlier than the start time and have a good look around for myself, see where the nice areas are for photos, where the sun is likely to be at the various times of the day, familiarise myself with the layout of the venue and where the main parts, ceremony / breakfast / reception are going to be. So don't worry I've got this!
6. Have You Photographed A Wedding Of A Similar Size To Ours Before?
Well Hitched, that's a weird question! I've shot weddings with the Bride, Groom and 2 friends during the covid lockdown and I've shot weddings with 150-200 guests. I don't see the relevance, I'm still doing the same job either way, regardless of the numbers. However, that said, if you are going to be having a thousand+ guests then I'd definitely be looking to bring in a second shooter to help me out though!
7. What's Included in the Wedding Packages You Offer?
Perfectly valid question this and all of the answers can be found on the WEDDING PACKAGES PAGE and as for what's included, that depends what you want to book.
8. What Information Do You Need from Us Before the Wedding Day?
Firstly, I'll email over a few questions ready to get your contract drawn up, just the main details such as both your names, address, contact numbers, wedding date, ceremony time and venue, that kind of thing. Then the month before the big day, I'll email you again and send you over a form to fill in, just to double check all the original details in case anything has changed, get the prep, ceremony and venue address details, who the key people are at the wedding, Bridesmaids / Groomsmen / Parents that kind of thing. There's a space for you to list any specific group photos you might want, details of the various what's happening at what time and then just the suppliers and vendors on the day so we can all tag each other across social media.
Oh and it'll also have a little bit of information about what you can expect from me on the day and how I work.
Photography Style
9. How Would You Describe Your Photography Style?
Surely that's subjective? It's whoever is viewing the photos that can only really describe the style, everyone sees things differently and what's one photographers "light and airy" is another's "overexposed and blown out!" If they're meaning how do I prefer to shoot then I'd have to say mostly candid, I quite like doing a few posed couple photos, I like using natural light but I don't mind using flash either, I've been called a ninja, paparazzi but I don't mind bossing people around if I need to either.
Have a look at my GALLERY and some of my REAL WEDDINGS and make your own mind up, hopefully you'll like it however you want to name it!
10. Can I Speak To Some Former Clients Or Where Can I Read Testimonials?
You're investing both your money and your trust in me so I'm more than happy to ask any of my past couples if they'd be happy to speak to you if you'd like me to! A large part of my work and future weddings all come from referrals either from the couple themselves or from past wedding guests. I've had Bridesmaids and Groomsmen from previous weddings that have then booked me for their own wedding when it's there turn. You can have a look at the photo comments and reviews on my Instagram or Facebook page, Stuart Morris Photography or go have a look at my reviews on Google, I've not had to pay anyone for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review yet!
11. Will I Be Able to Give You a List of Specific Shots We’d Like?
As far as the family formals go, yes definitely. As I mentioned before I will actually ask for a list of the group photos you want in advance to give you time to think which ones you might like. I'd also say let me know if there's something very specific that you'd like a photograph of, it's popular to have a memorial charm with a photograph of a lost loved one tied to the bouquet or something very personal or sentimental that is being included as a part of the wedding day and if that's the case, please, please do tell me. I would hate to miss a photograph of something that you would have loved me to capture for you but I didn't even realise it was there.
As far as- my dress hanging up, my bouquet, the groom crying as he sees me walking up the aisle, our first, us both walking up the aisle, a photo of this a photo of that, they're kind of a given so there really is no need to give me a list of those type of photos! If you're booking me for my style (see above for whatever you think that is) and hopefully you are, you'll already have an idea of the photographs you're going to get and there's nothing that stifles creativity and prevents capturing candid, natural photos than having to keep stopping to check a list and make sure that photo has been ticked off and that photo has been ticked off.
12. Do You Offer an Engagement Shoot as Part of Your Package?
It's not something I offer in my packages, I used to a while ago but more often than not it wasn't taken up. I do offer an engagement shoot as an added extra and now and again, usually around Valentine's Day, maybe for Christmas I'll include it in a "book now and get a free engagement shoot before the big day" offer. They're a very good way to get to know a couple before the wedding day and in turn they'll be more relaxed as they have an idea what to expect on the day. It's also an opportunity to get some nice photos of you both and you can then order a personalised signature frame or signing book with your favourite(s) for all of those lovely messages from your wedding guests.
On the Day
13. What Time Will You Arrive at the Venue?
All of that will have been covered in your contract and the pre-wedding information form I send out for you to fill in the month before.
14. Do We Need to Provide You with Food?
Yes because I am a huge diva and I demand that you feed me on the wedding day!!
No of course you don't have to but it's definitely very much appreciated. It's certainly not in my contract, that's just cheeky but there is a tick box on the pre-wedding form asking if a vendor meal has been provided. But honestly that's just to save me going out and buying a sandwich on the way for later or bringing a packed lunch with me which I'm more than happy to do. It is a long day for us poor photographers, we're often with you from morning til night, not like these makeup artists and hairdressers that are done and on their way home again after a couple of hours (kidding!) can't help but think I did go into the wrong business when they're saying goodbye and have a lovely day as you're finishing off getting ready. Anyway I'm going off on a tangent- no you absolutely do not NEED to provide me with food but I do love to be fed (ask my wife!) but I'm a grown up and I can fend for myself if I really need to but if a lovely meal is offered to me then I'm never going to say no- well not unless it's fish of any kind!! 🤢 That's a story that goes back to me being maybe a kid, 4 or 5 years old and battle of wills with my Mum over eating a fish finger on a Good Friday, literally put me off for life and I haven't touched anything that comes from the sea since and never will!!!
15. Do I Need to Cover Travel Costs?
Normally no you don't need to, especially if it's a fairly local wedding but if it's going to be a good few hours drive and/or somewhere that I'm going to need to stay over but hat will all be sorted out and built into your contract beforehand so there won't be any hidden travel charges to worry about. If it's a destination wedding involving flights and hotel accommodation then yes there'll be travel costs involved when booking or depending on where you're getting married I might even offer to come along for free ha ha!
16. Will You Be the Primary Photographer on the Day?
Yes! Barring a natural disaster or me ending up in hospital it’ll be myself photographing your wedding day. In case of emergency I’m in a network with some of the finest photographers in the country so worst case, I’ll arrange cover for your day and all being well, hopefully I’ll be editing the photographs so they’ll still be in my style. I don’t usually work with a second photographer, personally I’ve never seen the need and it’s not happened yet where I’ve thought I could do with someone with me on the day but again, if it’s something you do want, I’ve got an amazing pool of photographers to ask to help out, there would be an extra charge for a second photographer though.
17. What Will You Be Wearing?
Oh more than likely it’ll be a a nice strapless summer dress! I mean, I get where Hitched are coming from with this one but it’s a bit of a daft question. I’ll be smart but comfortable and practical, usually wearing a,art trousers, shirt and shoes, I like to try and look like a wedding guest, it helps me blend in with your actual guests and gives me a better opportunity to capture those candid photos right in amongst the action as it happens. However if you’re planning on having a black tie wedding I’m more than happy to put on a tux for you, again if it’ll help me blend in.
18. What Time Will You Stay Until?
All of that will be arranged during the initial communication and will be covered in your contract, generally I work in part day- 4 hours and full day-8 hours. Additional hourly coverage is available if they’re not quite going to be enough for you and for mid-week and off season weddings in that current year I also offer bespoke packages with an hourly rate but as I say that is only for the current year. I know things don’t always run to plan so I’d never say that’s it I’m off as you’re just about to start your first dance but if things are running way behind I do offer extra coverage at an additional hourly rate.
19. Can We Pay an Extra Fee If We Require You to Stay Longer?
Yes, absolutely not a problem, move back one space and see above. 👆🏻
20 . How Much is a Second Shooter?
This one's like how long is a piece of string, it really depends how long they’re with me more, how far have they travelled etc etc, generally it’s around the £200 - £400 mark as a guide.
21 . Can you put together a slideshow for the Wedding Breakfast?
This is something I've been working on introducing for all full weddings from 2023 on, it's early days and I'm working out the kinks as it means a bit of a change to the way I work on the wedding day, even if I haven't fully implemented them if it's something you'd really like then I'll be happy to sort that out for you, just let me know!
22. Will Other People Be Able to Take Photos While You Are?
Yes I generally don't have a problem with guests taking photos. I would definitely advise you to have a good think about having an unplugged ceremony, you're in your chosen venue, looking just as you'd planned it, you both look amazing stood at the front of everyone saying your vows and there's someone stood in the background with their phone (or tablet-it's happened!) hiding their face, it can absolutely ruin a fantastic shot! I just don't get it at all, if you're a guest, you've been invited because you're important to the couple but instead of just being there, you're really going to watch it through a little screen, absolutely baffles me that! I like taking you both away from the guests for you to have a bit of quiet time together and for us to get those relaxed portraits of you both. It can be off-putting for you both (and me) if there's someone taking the same (but worse) photo over my shoulder, I want you to be blown away when you first see your wedding photographs without having seen a watered down version taken by one of the guests.
23. What Is Your Back-up Plan If You Can’t Attend on the Day?
It'd have to be something pretty drastic that had happened to mean I couldn't make it to your wedding but realistically things can happen and while I can't promise I won't break my leg or something I can promise that I'm well connected with lots of great wedding photographers in the area and more importantly, ones I trust to photograph any wedding if need be.
24. Do You Backup Equipment?
Things can and do go wrong unfortunately so yes I have 3 cameras, several lenses and of course the usual extra batteries and memory cards and when I get back in after the wedding I'll back your photographs x3 on separate hard drives so if one fails there'll be another couple of copies as well as the ones on the memory cards.
25. Do You Have Insurance?
Yeah both Public Liability and Professional indemnity, protects both you and me!
So that's it for PART ONE of Hitched's 32 questions to ask your wedding photographer.
