How to Interview a Wedding Photographer

Choosing the right wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you will make in planning your wedding. Capturing the precious moments of your big day is a responsibility that both you and your wedding photographer should take very seriously. There are a few important considerations to keep in mind regarding the experience and communication skills you should be looking for as you interview potential wedding photographers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Compile a list of photographers whom you are considering hiring to photograph your wedding. Visit the website of each photographer and review any sample photographs they have posted. Most professional photographers will offer online portfolios to showcase their best work as a way of drawing in new business.
2. Contact each photographer on your preliminary list to confirm whether they are available to work on the day of your wedding. This is an easy way to trim down your list in its early stages. You should also ask for an initial estimate for the price they generally charge for weddings, keeping in mind that actual costs may vary depending on factors such as the location and season of your wedding.
3. Schedule an appointment to meet in person with each photographer whom you would like to interview. Request to view a portfolio of an individual wedding to get an idea of how the photographer is able to capture the entire event visually. Seeing a few of the photographer's best photographs from a variety of different weddings will not give you a sense of their ability to document cohesively one event from start to finish.
4. Put together a list of questions you would like to ask each photographer. Most photographers will be experienced with meeting with clients to describe their services, as this is an integral part of their business, but it is likely that you will have many of your own personal issues to address. A good place to start with your questions is to ask the photographer about his personal style, in terms of whether he prefers to take traditional, candid or journalistic wedding photos, to determine whether it matches up with your own taste.
5. Ask each photographer about the process for selecting and ordering your photos after the wedding. Some photographers use physical proofs while others prefer to organize photos using an online gallery. It is extremely important to get specific information about the pricing for photos at this time as you and your guests will most likely be spending a significant amount of money to purchase prints and create wedding photo albums.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your friends and relatives for referrals of photographers they have worked with in the past, especially for weddings. Talking to people you know and trust about their personal experiences with a specific photographer will give you a better idea of the personality and level of professionalism of the photographer before you even interview her.