First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!! You’re engaged! Now the dust has settled, you’ve announced your engagement, and shared all the beautiful bling shots on social media, and the realization is setting in that you have a lot of work ahead of you! As a Michigan wedding photographer, it is my belief that after choosing your date and venue, choosing a wedding photographer is the next priority in the planning process! This isn’t just because it’s my job, I promise!! There are many reasons why this is one aspect of planning that you HAVE to get right! That’s why I decided to do a blog series with tips on choosing the perfect photographer for your day!
This is the first “5 questions to ask when choosing a wedding photographer” post.
- Do they record photos on multiple cards at once?
Did you know that professional level cameras actually have two memory card slots? This is wonderful news! It’s a terrible thing to think about, but in the rare case that there was ever a memory card failure; having your photos on a second card would save the day. I have two cards in my camera at all times. Every photo I take is being recorded in two places at once!
- Do they have backup equipment?
Having been a professional photographer since 2015, I am always sure to have multiple backups with me at all weddings. Some photographers who are just starting out may not have multiple cameras, or even multiple batteries and memory cards (we ALL start somewhere!). This is something that you may want to consider when choosing a wedding photographer. After all – you do not get a do-over on this day!
- How long have they been a photographer? How long have they been a wedding photographer?
Okay, okay – I realize this is actually two questions. But it’s important to know that not all photographers start out with weddings! Personally, I chose not to take on weddings until I had been a professional photographer for a few years! For me, it felt like it’d be irresponsible to begin taking weddings (where you only get one shot to get it right!) before I was 100% confident in my ability to shoot in any and all lighting conditions. And in a way that would produce consistent and reliable results that were true to my style.
- Are they insured?
Okay, this one may seem obvious! BUT, you’d be surprised at how important this question is! Few people think to ask it. Some venues actually REQUIRE your photographer to have liability insurance. I am a type 6 enneagram, so I am constantly thinking of and preparing for worst-case scenarios. Knowing that I am insured in case of an accident gives me peace of mind. Any serious photographer who cares about YOU and their business will have this in place.
- What happens if they’re unable to photograph your wedding due to an emergency?
This was one of my biggest fears when I became a wedding photographer. Thankfully, I have made it a priority to network within my field. I’ve found the most amazing group of talented professional photographers. This has given me so much peace of mind. Moreover, I always ensure that my assistant photographer for wedding days is a professional photographer who owns their own business and has a similar style to mine. This acts as an insurance policy of sorts. Because if anything were to happen to me on a wedding day, I am confident that they could step in. In the event that I am not able to shoot, I would inform you as soon as possible, and do my very best to help you find a replacement photographer.
Whew! That was quite the list… stay tuned for another “5 questions to ask” post coming soon!
If you’re here because you are looking for a wedding photographer, send me a note! Hit the button below to check on my availability, I’d love to hear all about your wedding plans!
While you’re here, check out this helpful post I’ve written to help couples prepare details for their day!
Such great questions.
A professional … A true professional should be able to answer “Yes” to all five questions
Thank you for explaining that you should consider how long they’ve been working in wedding photography. My sister is getting married next year and has started looking for a photographer. I’ll have to share this with her so she can be sure to find one that will take great photos for her wedding.
Hi Ashley, you are totally right. This are really important question if couples choose her wedding photographer. Like the backup equipment… many beginners don’t have it which could end in a nightmare for the couple if they don’t get any photos of her ceremony for example.