Questions you were thankful you asked.

Grits8812

I'm going to meet two photographers tomorrow, and aside from the basic questions, were there any that you asked that you were glad you did? 

I'm so afraid I will forget something.

achiduck

Ask what happens if they're so sick that they can't shoot your wedding (or have some kind of other emergency)? Do they have a backup (or two, or three) that they can all on or are they a member of some professional association that will send a photographer out in their place?

Gabrielle76

Asking about assistants is important, so is making sure they have experience with your type of venue. 

Ask to see a 'day of' plan, and make sure it jives with what you want.  That will give you an idea of what they like to shoot (example, make sure they take time to shoot the groom and his groomsmen, and anything else you think is important). 

cwaggoner07

I just met with a bunch this weekend and it was interesting to get their take on a First Look. Some photographers won't shoot a wedding unless there is a first look. It's also nice to hear stories and opinions of their first look experience.

jemmini6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_questions-were-thankful-asked?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:31209c95-9c61-48ef-9cc6-24c39db5d6e1Post:bd1e5cef-be5a-4ee8-95df-5cbb61fd5161">Re: Questions you were thankful you asked.</a>:
[QUOTE]Also see if they have an album from start to finish of a wedding (including getting ready if you're looking for that sort of thing).
Posted by edielaura[/QUOTE]


This!  Most photographers bring books of their absolute best work to show clients, but the most important thing to YOU will be how they shoot an entire wedding.  You want to know that you will get consitent great shots, instead of 99% mediocre or bad shots and one or two amazing shots.

Also, definitely find out about the digital images/reprint rights.  There's been a few people recently who've been burned by not knowing this in advance.  Getting prints through the photographer is not cheap, so it's definitely something to think about (H and I wouldn't even meet with photographers that didn't include digital copies)

LP11509

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_questions-were-thankful-asked?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:31209c95-9c61-48ef-9cc6-24c39db5d6e1Post:34e9d158-f96e-405a-9b05-5e591503e43e">Re: Questions you were thankful you asked.</a>:
[QUOTE]I just met with a bunch this weekend and it was interesting to get their take on a First Look.<strong> Some photographers won't shoot a wedding unless there is a first look.</strong> It's also nice to hear stories and opinions of their first look experience.
Posted by cwaggoner07[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>Really? That seems...odd to me. I realize that first looks are becoming more and more popular, but there's still plenty of people who follow the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony.</div>

adktd2boots

Do they have a checklist and is it brought with them to ensure you get all you want.

Will they shoot in X number of locations.  If so, is that extra?  (Ceremony site A, Pics at sites B&C, Reception Site D- are there extra fees for B&C?)

Do they have an email/facebook/pinterest etc. for you to post "must take" shots.

Where do they print their prints.  This makes a HUGE difference in quality of prints. I would never book with someone who prints through Walmart.

How long do they keep your images.  Some will only keep files for 6 months, others purge files annually.  Some keep digital copies infinitely.

em01092

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_questions-were-thankful-asked?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:31209c95-9c61-48ef-9cc6-24c39db5d6e1Post:a0dc8dd2-a5f8-49e4-9cdf-2c0441e2f611">Re: Questions you were thankful you asked.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Questions you were thankful you asked. : Really? That seems...odd to me. I realize that first looks are becoming more and more popular, but there's still plenty of people who follow the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony.
Posted by LP11509[/QUOTE]

<div>A lot of them encourage it and prefer it due to timing issues and so they don't feel as rushed/pressured, but yeah I'm surprised a photographer would flat out refuse a more traditional couple. </div>

Ali092011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_questions-were-thankful-asked?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:31209c95-9c61-48ef-9cc6-24c39db5d6e1Post:a0dc8dd2-a5f8-49e4-9cdf-2c0441e2f611">Re: Questions you were thankful you asked.</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Questions you were thankful you asked. : Really? That seems...odd to me. I realize that first looks are becoming more and more popular, but there's still plenty of people who follow the tradition of not seeing each other before the ceremony.
Posted by LP11509[/QUOTE]

Yeah, that is really odd. I asked the photographer I met with (and booked!) today about first looks, and he said he would shoot us before or after the ceremony, it didn't matter to him, we just had to decide what we wanted to do as a couple.

He did give us a professional point of view about it, and I think we're going to do a first look, but not because he told us we had to.

mrsthoser

Ask about back-up equipment. If one (or more) of their cameras fail, will they have another?