Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer to Find the Perfect Fit
As an Asheville wedding photographer who has been capturing weddings for over 10 years, I feel like I’ve seen everything regarding what to expect from weddings and couples I’ve worked with.
Of course, after a decade, the wedding industry has changed and evolved along with the expectations of wedding photography. For instance, now there’s a much bigger emphasis on capturing candid moments throughout a wedding day and less of a focus on traditional and posed portraits.
With that being said, as the industry and trends change, there are a few things that stay the same when it comes to prepping for your wedding day and having your photos taken.
Most of us are not used to having a camera in our faces all day, being posed, and having every moment documented, etc. I know that the thought of that can be overwhelming and nerve-racking! Sometimes that can even lead to misconceptions about the importance of having a photographer on your wedding day or if the investment is really worth it.
I wanted to tackle some of the biggest misconceptions about wedding photography along with some of the questions to ask your wedding photographer to find the right one for you. Plus, I thought it would be valuable to shed some light on how your wedding day and photo-taking experience should be when you hire the right photographer!
Let’s dive into the most commonly asked questions I get as a wedding photographer…
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Is it really worth it to spend so much money on photos? I’m on a budget and photographers cost a lot of money!
The short answer: yes!
We all know someone who has spoken up about what they regret most about their wedding day. Whether you’re planning your celebration and seeking advice from a recently married friend or scrolling through online threads of newlyweds sharing their experience we’ve all gathered a collection of wedding planning do’s and don’ts. However, one thing you probably have never seen as a major “don’t” is someone saying not to hire a wedding photographer.
That’s because a photographer captures moments that can’t be replicated. Photos are always the best way to relive your wedding day over and over again and remember how magical your celebration was. Whether you’re having a small intimate elopement or a simple courthouse wedding you’ll never regret investing in a talented photographer for your celebration.
If you are trying to save money on your wedding photographer my advice? Look for a photographer who offers hourly rates for wedding photography. That way you can hire them for a specific amount of hours that cover the most important parts of your wedding you want professionally documented. Some moments I would absolutely recommend having documented include your ceremony, family formals, portraits of you and your partner, the first dance, parent dances, and your cake cutting.
How do I find the right photographer for our wedding?
You spend a lot of time with your photographer on your wedding day. Your photographer should make you look and feel good in your photos so it’s very important to hire a photographer you and your partner both feel comfortable and vibe with!
The truth is not every photographer is perfect for every couple and that’s okay. It’s all about finding your perfect match, not someone else’s.
Here are some important things to consider when trying to find the right photographer for your wedding day:
- Their style and composition
- How do they edit their photos and with what colors? For example, do they edit with a dark and moody aesthetic or is their aesthetic light and airy? Which style do you prefer?
- What do they specialize in?
- Do they focus on weddings or do they only book a few weddings a year?
- What do they offer in terms of wedding photography?
- Do they offer various packages or an hourly rate with a la carte items?
When emailing potential options here are a few questions to ask your wedding photographer to get to know them better and see if they check all of your boxes:
- How long have you been photographing weddings?
- Can we see at least three full wedding day galleries?
- Are you and your business insured?
- Do you require a contract and deposit for us to secure our date with you?
My process as a wedding photographer
By the time a couple inquires to work with me through my website, they will have seen my work and will have a pretty solid idea of what my personality is like. Also, they will see that it’s clear my main focus is weddings and engagements.
After an inquiry is submitted I like to share with my couples my wedding brochure. This brochure goes in depth over my wedding packages and has a few links to full wedding galleries. Once they’ve had a chance to review my brochure we schedule a phone call.
Pro-tip: the best way to see if a photographer is a good fit for your wedding day is to set up a phone call or a Zoom call. I love getting to know my couples first through a phone call or a Zoom call. It’s a great way to talk more in-depth about my passion for capturing weddings, and my process of working with couples before, during, and after their wedding day. It’s also an opportunity for me to learn more about you and your partner, and understand the vision you have for your wedding day!
I feel really awkward when having my photo taken and am super stressed about being in front of a camera all day for my wedding. What can I do?
I hear from my couples alllll the time that they aren’t good in front of a camera. That’s because we aren’t accustomed to having a camera in our faces all day and someone telling us what to do, how to pose, when to kiss etc. Let me let you in on a little secret,
no one is expecting you to strike a Vogue-worthy pose on your wedding day so take a deep breath and don’t put that kind of pressure on yourself.
If you don’t want to feel stressed in front of the camera the best thing you can do is trust your photographer! Your wedding photographer should help you and your partner feel calm and comfortable in front of the camera. Furthermore, you should feel like you can be 100% yourself in front of your photographer. They are there to bring out the best of you and your partner – not make you feel like you have to pretend to be someone else.
A great way to be more comfortable in front of the camera is to book an engagement session a year to six months before your wedding! An engagement session is the perfect trial run for learning how to pose with your partner and to get to know your photographer better.
My approach as a wedding photographer is that I do my absolute best to not make your wedding day feel like a glorified photo shoot. This means not directing you and your partner on what to do all day and allowing genuine moments to flourish and unfold. When it comes to photographing weddings, I like to be fully engaged with you and your wedding party to bring out the best of all of you in your photos!
Should we do a first look?
A first look is when you and your partner take time before the ceremony to see each other and exchange personal vows or swap gifts etc.
More and more couples are choosing to do a first look because it allows them to share a private moment without everyone present and looking at them. Also, having a first look doesn’t mean that seeing each other at the ceremony is any less magical!
From a photographer’s standpoint having a first look on your wedding day allows us to get a lot of necessary photos out of the way before your ceremony. This means you can spend more time with your guests during cocktail hour. Typically, when couples do a first look we can get your photos done together, full wedding party photos, and some immediate family shots.
Also, when it comes to deciding if you want to have a first look or not if you are getting married in the winter, remember you won’t have as much daylight to work with. Therefore, a first look is a great option, and you won’t have to worry about losing sunlight for photos after your ceremony.
At the end of the day, think about whether a first look benefits you and your partner and feels right for both of you. If you know that you want to spend more time with your wedding guests, a first look is an excellent choice.
But don’t fret; you don’t have to make a decision right now! You can always make your final decision a month or two before your wedding, and your final timeline is set.
Ready to Pick Your Dream Wedding Photographer?
I hope you found this short and sweet guide helpful and know some of the best questions to ask your wedding photographer (as well as some real answers from me!). If I didn’t answer one of your questions be sure to drop a comment below for me.
And…if you are still looking for the perfect Asheville wedding photographer for your dream celebration, I’d love to chat. You can click here to learn more about my services or you can head over here to get in touch with me!
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