April Hendrick Photography Blog

I’ve been meeting with a lot of brides this month and most of them have shared with me that they don’t know what to ask the photographer they are interviewing with.  I’ve been giving it a lot of thought and have come up with this list of questions that I would ask my photographer.  Please feel free to print it out and I will explain each question at the bottom.

1.  How many years have you been photographing professionally?

2.  How many weddings have you photographed?

3.  Are you a member of a Professional Photographer organization or group?

4.  Do you have backup cameras and flashes?

5.  Do you have someone of equal experience who can fill in for you if you are unable to make it to my wedding?

6. How long does it usually take for me to get my pictures after the wedding?

7.  Can you explain the usage rights for the CD of images?  Are they full sized images?  Will they be of the wedding only or will the Engagement & Bridal portraits be on the cd?

8.  How long does it take to get the album designed and back to me?  Who picks the pictures that go into the album?  How many pages/spreads will the album be?

9.  What’s your method when photographing a wedding? (some photographers are pretty obtrusive so as to get every single shot and others like to blend in and get every shot they can without  being noticed)

10.  Do you have insurance for unforeseen incidences?

Other questions you may ask?  Please feel free to leave them in the comments section!

Questions 1 & 2 are pretty self explanatory.

Question 3- This question lets you know how serious about their trade the photographer is.  Most newbies or crooks aren’t a member of  a professional organization.  People who are, are usually truly interested in bettering their business, dedicated to their craft and dedicated to bettering their craft.   The most common professional groups are PPA (Professional Photographers Association), SPPPA (South Plains photographers Association, the local West Texas group)  TPPA (Texas Professional Photographers Association, WPPI and I’m sure there are more that I have not listed. Every state will have a PPA group, although some are more active than others.  The DWF or Digital Wedding Forum does not count.

Question 4- Things happen, lenses fall of cameras,  cameras short out, make sure they have a backup just in case.  Most professionals do.

Question 5 – Again things happen, if your photographer gets rushed into emergency surgery the day of your wedding, who will cover for them?  You don’t have to look for names just make sure they can say with confidence that they will find someone to cover the wedding.    The odds are slim that they won’t be there so relax!

Question 6 – Just make sure it’s a time table  you can live with.  I personally thing longer than 6 weeks is too long but if you are hiring someone you just adore than it’s worth it right?

Question 7 – usage rights can get tricky, ask if you have full rights to the images on the cd, can you print them, can you make your own album with them, can you resale them.  I think the industry standard is you can print, post to the internet or make an album but can not resale them.   Typically Bridal and Engagement photographs are not normally included on the CD of images but may be available for an additional amount.

Question 8 – albums can take time.  Allow 4-8 weeks for design and another 4-8 weeks to get printed and bound.

Question 9 - Photographers have lots of different styles of photographing,  I’ve heard stories of photographers standing next to the preacher to get the shot.  This is not my personal style but if this is what you want then ask.  Point is just be on the same page with the photographer as to how obtrusive you want them to be.

Question 10 – Again things happen, Ask if something happens will you be getting your money back?  Most will have you sign a contract stating that you can not sue them for unforeseen incidences but does that mean you will get your money back?