10 Things to Ask Your Small Backyard Wedding Photographer
Woohoo! You are getting married! Weddings can be an overwhelming but extremely exciting time! The perfect photographer for your wedding is going to help you go through your wedding day with ease. As a small wedding photographer, I have always felt it is so important to meet with my couples a few times before the actual wedding day. The goal of these meetings is to discuss the plans, get to know each other, and to hopefully answer and go over the questions I’ve written out below. The right photographer for you will have these questions answered for you before you even have to ask, but I believe it is important to keep these in mind to help make the planning as easy as possible. Undoubtedly your photographer will have questions for you as well which may overlap with these as well. The questions I am going over are meant to ensure you are the perfect match! Topics suchs as payments, hour coverage and other wedding package details should be discussed in your first meeting as well. Don’t hesitate to ask your photographer to bring a day quote to your first meeting. Additionally, these will help get both you and your photographer’s creativity flowing! You are a team!
So, what are the 10 things you should ask your backyard wedding photographer?
Is my wedding date available?
Now this is the most important question to ask your potential photographer. If they do not have your date available, they may not be able to help capture your day. It is possible for your photographer to send their acquaintance(s) to capture your day and do the editing, communication and so but this would be something you would have to discuss with them and decide if this is something you want to do.
What is your favorite part to capture at a wedding as the photographer?
I personally love when couples ask me this question. While I of course love “this kiss” at every wedding, backyard weddings often have small, wholesome, moments with friends and family that I love capturing, and I love letting my couples know this.
How would you describe your shooting and work style?
Every photographer works differently. Some photographers pose the subjects more, while others approach photography in a more documentary style. If you have a preference towards one of these styles it is good to ensure your photographer follows the concept for their work. This is also something you can learn by looking at their past images.
How would you describe your editing style?
Additionally you can ask your photographer what the extent of their editing is. For example, I provided a light touch up skin edit to all of my portraits, but this is not something every photographer does.
Will you help us with our timeline?
Backyard weddings are usually shorter events, but it is still important to have a general day plan for the event. Your photographer should have a general idea of how a day should flow and are more likely than not willing to chat with you about how to lay the day out. It is also important to share your plan with your photographer so the team can plan when to capture specific photos, such as couples portraits.
Will you be the sole photographer?
Oftentimes the photographer you hire will be bringing an assistant and/or a second photographer. It all depends on your photographer. For example, I tend to bring a second photographer so I can ensure we capture every aspect of your day.
Can we request a specific shot?
Now this might be controversial, but I actually believe your photographer should ask if you have any specific shots you want to capture. But if they don’t ask, be sure to let them know.
How long does it take you to deliver the final product?
Each photographer has a different schedule which is why it’s important to ask and remember their schedule. For example, my backyard weddings have an online gallery turnaround time of 6 weeks for access to the final online gallery, but print orders and wedding books take additional time.
What will you be wearing at our wedding?
Backyard weddings are often more relaxed and casual, but that doesn’t mean you want your photographer showing up in cut off denim short shorts. Usually photographers will dress in black to hide themselves a bit, but don’t hesitate to discuss attire with your photographer.
If I hire you, what step do we take next?
So you’ve chatted, your personalities meshed, and you’re ready to lock your date in! The next step will be for your photographer to agree to shoot your wedding, possibly ask you some additional questions, then to send over your contract! Woohoo! I recommend finishing each meeting with your photographer with a little to do list for each of you to make sure everything that needs to get done before the wedding gets done.
I hope these questions helped you find the perfect photographer for your backyard wedding!
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