photographer questions

SB1512

We have our first meeting with one of the photographers we are looking into (HK photography) soon and was wondering about any questions we should ask.  I spent a long time speaking with a photographer at a bridal open house over the weekend and she was telling us about the equipment she brings, lenses she uses, that she doesn't use photoshop, etc, etc.  I'm not sure if these things were all mentioned as a way to justify what she charges, or if they really are important?!  I guess overall I don't like the idea of my photos being photoshopped a lot (the attitude of the person I spoke with over the weekend was "If i can't get a good looking picture without photoshop, why am I even charging you for photos), so I'm definitely going to ask about editing software and how much they edit etc, but anything else I should make sure to cover?

cdbishop

Here are a few items I had looked at before meeting with any photographers.  

http://www.ivillage.com/20-questions-ask-wedding-photographers/5-a-283130 

http://www.herecomestheguide.com/wedding-party-ideas/detail/questions-to-ask-a-potential-wedding-photographer/

MoonlightSilver

My biggest question was- "what happens if you're sick/can't make it?" 

Aside from that, I would ask to see a whole wedding beginning to end. We all get blinded by those perfect pictures, but if you only get 1 perfect picture per wedding... it's not really worth it, right? 

As far as editing: I actually really like editing in pictures. My photographer showed us before and after pictures where the picture was shot in a room full of people, but he edited them all out so the couple looked alone in a room (great for engagement pictures). Or editing out trash cans, cars, etc. 

Good luck!

MichelleBee773

If you like the photographer's work on their website, you should expect them to produce the same caliber of work for your wedding. When you meet with the photographer see if things 'click'. I believe that you should feel comfortable with the person and trust them with capturing one of the most important days of your life. If you find someone that you think can do that, does it really matter if he/she uses lightroom or photoshop? In my opinion, no, but that is for every bride and groom to decide! The only question I would ask is if you have to pay extra for the rights to the photos. Some photographers try and make a lot of money on prints after the wedding. Good luck on your meeting!!

krista611

I am actually a photographer, I rarely come on here but came across this post and thought I could help.  My first concern with your post is that she doesn't use Photoshop.  I will be the first one to tell you that if you can't take a good picture (composition wise) you shouldn't be a photographer, however, editing bring's it from an amazing picture, to a out of the world picture.  I have SOO many before and after's that I show clients to express the importance of being able to edit images correctly.  Sometimes, things are out of your control and you just have to roll with the punches, that being said, there are numerous times I am doing a bridal session and a little kid runs in the background, instead of scrapping it, I simply removed the child in post processing.  Here are another few tips from a professional photographers standpoint that should ALWAYS be asked.  

1. What kind of rights do you have to the images, are they printing rights, or a copyright release.  If no rights are owned, ask to see a print package, these can be VERY expensive so it's always important to get the full story rather than find out afterwards you need to spend thousands of dollars just to get prints of your special day.

2. What kind of equipement are they using (should either be a Canon or Nikon) full frame preferred.  Do they have a backup camera?  God forbid one breaks in the middle of the ceremony, how do they plan on overcoming that.  (sucks but it DOES happen)

3. Do they have professional lenses/flashes.  This can make all the difference in pictures.

4.  Ask to see an ENTIRE wedding, shot beginning to end.  It is wonderful to see their portfolio, however, (I am guilty of it too) it's no surprise we put our best work in it.  To get a better idea of a photographers abilities you need to see an entire wedding to see how they shoot in different situations.

5. Ask them if they have a backup/second shooter god for bid you get sick.

Again, I can't stress the importance of editing images, it doesn't matter how good you are, pictures still need tweaking at a minimum.  Keep all these in mind, and if you have any questions at all, feel free to PM me, I would be happy to help you out

Also, (sorry for the novel) make sure you are comfortable with your photographer, I don't care how expensive they are, how good everyone thinks they are, if you do not mesh with them, your pictures will reflect it!!!

xoxo

Krista

SB1512

it's not that this photographer we spoke with doesn't edit, but insted of photoshop this photographer uses adobe lightroom.  Again, I'm all for editing out things to make a photo look better (trash cans, children, etc) but if we're taking pictures and there's an awesome sunset, I would expect that it could be captures as brilliant as it is and photoshop would not be necessary to enhance the beauty of nature.

amymaysa

We are going with HK and our meeting with them was awesome. We didn't ask any other questions that PPs mentioned and really focused on talking with them.
We love what we see online and in the albums they showed us, we wanted to be sure we 'meshed' well with them, and we LOVE them!

kls114

I think making sure you are comfortable with them & seeing alot of their work when you meet. Everything else will come up in conversation (rights to images, timelines, back up camera, etc.)
GL!

SB1512

We loved HK they are so great!  We do plan on consulting with a few other photographers (RAW photo, Carrie Draghi) which HK suggested and supported since it is such a big decision but I was really impressed by their approach and what you get in their packages! They definitely provide you with a cost effective package that doesn't sacrifice quality!