10 Questions to Ask Wedding Photographers Before Booking

The wedding photography is going to be one of the most important parts of your wedding day, which is why it pays to ask questions of any prospective wedding photographers you are considering booking.

This is because you want a wedding photographer to do more than just take photos — you want them to tell the story of the whole day, from the bridal party getting ready, to the first kiss after the ceremony, to the first dance at the reception. Choosing the right wedding photographer is important as they need to shoot candid moments and formal group shots in a way that captures the atmosphere and style of your big day and creates memories that last forever.

However, choosing prospective wedding photographers in Adelaide is not an easy task when there are a lot of names out there. To help you, we have put together ten wedding photographer questions based on our long experience in the industry, and the questions we are most commonly asked.

Obviously, we hope you choose Blush & Pose Photography to shoot your wedding, but as you are searching for a potential photographer we recommend you take a note of these ten questions to ask wedding photographers in order to ensure you find someone who will take photos in the style you’re looking for.

Call Blush & Pose Photography on 0474 723 056 or email hello@blushandposephotography.com.au and we’ll be happy to discuss our photography style, wedding galleries, packages and pricing, back up plans, engagement shoots, and anything else you need to know ahead of your wedding day.

ARE YOU AVAILABLE ON MY WEDDING DATE?

Although it seems obvious, you’d be surprised at how often this is overlooked, when it should always be the first question to ask! You don’t want to meet a wedding photographer you like, with a shooting style that suits you, only to discover they’re already booked on your wedding day.

As soon as you have a date for your wedding and start looking for prospective photographers, make sure this key question is top of your list!

HOW MANY WEDDINGS HAVE YOU DONE?

Experience is essential when it comes to wedding photography. This is because photographers who have done a significant number of weddings know that there are specific shots that every couple wants, while also having the skills and expertise to capture candid moments and unexpected shots as well as formal, staged photos.

Shooting weddings can also be unpredictable, as events don’t always happen where and when they’re supposed to do; lighting situations can also change rapidly and so you need an experienced wedding photographer who always has a contingency plan and backup equipment, and can adapt to changing circumstances.

Just for the record, at Blush & Pose Photography we have photographed nearly a hundred weddings across Adelaide and South Australia, and this has given us a clear understanding of what’s required to make sure everything goes off as smoothly as possible. If you’re looking for a really good wedding photographer that has a lot of experience but is still affordable, then Blush and Pose Photography is what you are looking for.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR WEDDING PACKAGE?

When you’re considering a prospective photographer, cost will naturally be a factor. However, the real value of a wedding photography package is about more than the cost; it’s about what the photographer offers overall in terms of how many hours they shoot on the wedding day, the pre wedding events covered, the sort of online gallery you can access and more.

You should also make sure you know whether the cost of a wedding package includes the photographer’s travel costs (especially important if it’s a destination wedding), whether there are any additional fees for certain types of photos, how many images you receive in your wedding album, can you view photos online, etc.

It’s also important to ask your wedding photographer whether their package includes a second photographer in order to capture an even greater range of shots, or whether this is an additional cost.

WHAT PREPARATION IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY?

Before your wedding day, meeting with a wedding photographer you’re considering hiring and being able to establish a relationship with them is key to getting authentic, natural and memorable photos.

At Blush & Pose Photography, we like nothing more than getting to know you as a couple so we can understand your style and what matters most to you when it comes to wedding photos. This need not be a long process, but from our perspective it’s incredibly useful. It also gives you the chance to ask us key questions about what we do, the schedule on the wedding day, and double check that we’re all on the same page.

Even if you decide not to choose us as your wedding photographer, we definitely recommend meeting with whoever you choose to shoot the day in advance, so that you can both be confident about how your wedding day will look.

HOW MUCH ARE YOUR WEDDING PACKAGES?

Once you’ve determined what a wedding photography package includes, you will naturally want a clear indication of the costs before you make a final decision.

At Blush and Pose Photography we offer a variety of packages, ranging from 2 hours for $1265 up to $4200 for full day coverage. Blush and Pose Photography are for those looking for an experienced, yet affordable wedding photographer.

Call us on 0474 723 056 or email hello@blushandposephotography.com.au and we’ll be happy to talk you through how our wedding photographer works, talk about the backup plans we always put in place, and whether you have any more questions to ask.

DO YOU INCLUDE ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS IN YOUR PACKAGES?

If you are planning on having an engagement shoot prior to your wedding day, it makes sense to discuss with a prospective photographer whether they can do this as well, so that you have a coherent photography style across both of these life-changing events.

Most photographers can include both engagement photos and wedding photography into a single package. At Blush and Pose Photography, we offer an engagement shoot as an extra add-on and generally charge $600 + GST for the additional shoot.

WHAT IS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY AND SHOOTING STYLE?

This is one of the most important questions to ask wedding photographers. Of course, client testimonials and online reviews are important, but seeing the work of a photographer for yourself can be the factor that helps you make your final decision.

You should therefore ask how a prospective photographer works and what their approach is to both formal photos and how they capture candid moments. You should also ask whether a photographer works alone or if they work together with a second shooter to get a full range of shots before, during and after the ceremony.

In addition, when you’re considering a prospective photographer you should ask to view full wedding galleries rather than just highlight reels, so you can see what sort of photos they are able to produce in different types of venues and in a range of lighting conditions. This will also give you a better understanding of their photo editing style and what your wedding album will ultimately look like.

HOW LONG UNTIL WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS?

After the wedding day, there is a post production process where the photographer edits and enhances your images to ensure they are presented in the best form possible. When you’re making enquiries, ask your wedding photographer what their timeline is for this, so you know when you can expect to receive your online gallery and/or wedding album.

At Blush & Pose Photography, we provide a range of options for your wedding photos and prints, including luxury leather-bound albums, USB boxes so you can print your own photos, art prints and wall art photos.

WHAT’S YOUR BACKUP PLAN FOR ILLNESS OR EQUIPMENT FAILURE?

No-one wants to think about things going wrong before their wedding day, but it is absolutely essential that your wedding photographer has a backup plan incase of illness or equipment failing.

For instance, you might ask whether they work with a second photographer who could take over if they fall ill, or if they have colleagues they could call on in an emergency. You should also check with them what equipment back up plan they have in place, should a camera, lights, or any other equipment fail at the crucial moment.

At Blush & Pose Photography, we are a husband and wife team, so there is always a second shooter on hand! We are also connected with other photographers we can call on in case of emergencies. Also, our long experience as Adelaide wedding photographers means we carry a full range of equipment and are always prepared with a replacement should any piece of kit fail.

DO YOU OFFER A PHOTO BOOTH?

Photo booths are always a popular feature at both engagement parties and weddings as they give friends and family a chance to let their hair down and create some fun, informal shots for sharing. A number of wedding photographers offer photo booths as part of their wedding photography packages, so this is always one of the interview questions you should ask a potential photographer.

At Blush & Pose Photography, we will not only supply a premium photo booth, but our professional photographers will set up the camera and lighting inside the booth to ensure that it produces perfect photos.

BONUS QUESTION: HOW LONG DO I ACTUALLY NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR?

How long you need a wedding photographer for will depend on what you want captured during the day. If you just want the ceremony captured and some family and couple photos afterwards, then 2-3 hours is plenty. If you want getting ready photos, arrivals, the ceremony, formal photos and things like the cake cut, first dance, speeches and the reception, then 6-10 hours is the best way to go. It’s worth noting that many wedding photographers only do full day coverage. So, keep that in mind when looking for a wedding photographer. Blush and Pose Photography offers both large and small wedding photography packages. Our packages start at $1265 for 2 hours.